Switchgear is used virtually everywhere that electricity flows. The new "Copper" add-on module for EPLAN Pro Panel Professional allows free design, configuration and virtual assembly of control cabinets and the necessary busbar systems. With EPLAN Pro Panel "Copper", information from the "Rittal Power Engineering" planning tool, which is software used for the configuration and design of low-voltage switchgear systems, can, for example, be utilised to fit the necessary Rittal system components into a virtual 3D model.

Solution provider Eplan presents enhanced fluid software that can now also be integrated in the MCAD workflow. 3D data, fluid symbols and electrical actuation will be directly linked to the parts list and the technical specifications of the equipment in future in Eplan Fluid Professional. Users will benefit from interdisciplinary engineering and lower planning and documentation costs. The expertise of the fluid engineer in the overall project will increase at the same time.

The EPLAN Platform 2.1 centers around standardization and automation. Automatic macro updates, targeted use of test routines - these and further functions bring about rapid results and increased quality. Even larger projects can be managed easier with the "EPLAN Multiuser Management" module.

Experts agree: The true potential savings in engineering lie in automation and standardisation. The new EPLAN Engineering Center One closes the huge gap that often exists between conventional and mechatronic engineering. Predefined standards such as macros or value sets can be combined automatically to a schematic through MS Excel. Solution provider EPLAN will present its new development at this year's Hanover Fair.

Traditionally, mechanical, electrical and software elements have been strictly separated and developed in a rigid sequence. Today, these disciplines are merging into a more integrated mechatronic approach. This not only paves the way for more efficient parallel development, but also simplifies coordination between mechanical, electrical and software engineers. This is why B&R integrates existing expert tools into the Automation Studio development platform via interfaces that ensure full transparency and functionality. Automation Studio provides all the functions needed to develop and configure an automation solution – such as those for creating control and HMI applications, linking motion control components, safety technology and much more. Expert tools are integrated via open, transparent interfaces to provide specialized functionality – such as EPLAN Electric P8 for electrical planning.

Fischcon PV, the Dutch-based manufacturer of custom hydraulic packs and firefighting systems used in oil and gas exploration, found that creating a single, transparent process for managing the procurement of authorised components accelerated order fulfillment and provided numerous customer benefits.

EPLAN Fluid power: New master data sets herald a new direction in mechanical design

Russia relies a great deal on localised heat and power generation. For Impuls Industrial Boiler Plants, the opportunities for building or rebuilding large boiler houses that provide heat and power to communities, including remote industrial installations, represents a major growth market. Founded in 2002, the company has pioneered development of modular, fully automated industrial boiler houses that don’t require a human operator. A key reason for choosing EPLAN as the new design tool was the ability of the software to support electrical, process control and enclosure design on a shared platform. As a result, projects that typically took three months or more are now being completed in 5-6 weeks.

Computer-aided engineering (CAE) software is the designer’s best friend, a tool proven to enhance the user’s productivity. It has liberated engineers from the most tedious aspects of their jobs, shortened project turnaround times and improved the quality and accuracy of their work. Today’s advanced electrical CAE (E-CAE) programs have automated many tasks, such as wire numbering and device tagging. Engineers are completing assignments that once took days or weeks in a fraction of the time. The latest generation of CAE programs such as EPLAN adds a powerful central database that enables them to provide substantial additional automation. This database can hold a large archive of recurrent content, ready for insertion into a project with a single keystroke. Engineers can convert project documentation into different languages or regional, national and international standards. This makes the database-centric CAE wellsuited for cross-country and cross-border collaborations or for serving a multinational customer base.

A new, comprehensive master data package for hydraulics now bridges the gap between fluid and mechanical design. More than 1000 new hydraulic macros in Eplan Fluid speeds up and simplify interdisciplinary documentation.