Feature Electrical Design Software Evolving tools of the trade
As technology has evolved within engineering so engineers and businesses have needed improved methods and tools in order to keep up to speed. Here, EPLAN’s Ken Christie champions the benefits of computer aided engineering (CAE) software
C
AE software can offer a number of benefits to engineers - from liberat- ing them from the most tedious aspects of their jobs to shortening project turnaround times and improving the quality and accuracy of their work. Indeed, because CAE software makes every phase of a job more efficient, com- panies can speed up design time and build and maintain electrical control systems when working with transparent, consistent data. Crucially, modern CAE software has broken decisively from CAD and other earlier design tools by adding a power- ful central database that enables it to provide substantial automation. With the unrivalled storage capabili- ties of a database there is an extensive scope of device data and components that can be accessed, including macros of sub-circuits, assembly drawings, function templates for intelligent device selection, international designa- tions, preview images and entire manu- als. Vast amounts of recurrent content can be re-used, which maximises pro- ductivity, ensures error-free projects and shortens turnaround times.
The power of a database Containing every type of component from the IEC symbol library, the data- base allows for intelligent macros to be created. This enables common sub- assemblies like motor drives to be inserted into projects within seconds, generating all wire and terminal num- bering and greatly simplifying produc- tion of product variants.
In addition, schematics can be built up using intelligent symbols and com- ponent representations containing all relevant technical information and, as a component is inserted into a schematic, all BOM, reports and documentation are updated and cross-referenced. Another key feature of modern CAE software is the ability to automate the creation of recurrent content, which effectively negates the need for the time consuming creation of master data and provides integrated data for intelligent design, precisely fitting assemblies, vir- tual wiring and sustainably shortened product development and production cycles. Add to that the software’s auto-
22 APRIL 2013 Electrical Engineering
matic error checking features and elimi- nation of time consuming error checks necessary with legacy systems.
Benefits defined With all of its labour and time saving features, the new breed of CAE soft- ware provides a greater benefit of own- ership than legacy systems by making the individual user more productive. However, due to its capacity to make every phase of a job more efficient or cost effective, it also makes for a per- suasive business case. Some of the ben-
efits are listed below: ●
Integration and enhanced work-
flow: Modern CAE tools facilitate unprecedented integration, meaning that engineering disciplines can now work concurrently and collaboratively rather than separately. It also allows data to be cross-referenced within and across disciplines, so electrical, fluid, mechanical and process control engi- neers can share data with their col-
Simplified standardisation: Storing and reusing data opens the way to stan- dardising and modularising product content, accelerating design and manu- facturing and enabling large economies
leagues locally or remotely. ●
Improved efficiency: The database can be integrated into a company’s IT architecture, allowing other depart- ments to monitor a project’s progress
of scale in purchasing components. ●
Above: Ken Christie is the director of EPLAN UK
for more accurate customer quotes, more timely and cost effective stock- ing of components, and more reliable
production and delivery scheduling. ●
Document conversion and data
consistency: Innovative CAE software can convert project documentation in minutes to the language and design standards that customers, vendors and subcontractors require, and export it
in one of many common file formats. ●
Streamlined revisions manage-
ment: Traditionally, applying revisions was prone to disrupt production sched- ules. With today’s CAE tools, project documentation can be exported to cus- tomers in formats like smart PDFs, and their changes re-imported and incorpo- rated automatically. Once a design is finalised, the CAE automatically gener- ates a complete build package for manu- facturing that includes all diagrams, lists and component ID, and if desired, automated set-ups for NC machining
and wire processing. ●
Below: modern CAE software makes every phase of a job, from design through production, more efficient
3D Prototyping: Merging data with 3D modelling software lets engineers create virtual prototypes to prove a design before manufacturing. CAE tools enable engineers to under- stand, predict, and improve product performance digitally. CAE software also enables businesses to explore more design concepts, cut costs associated with traditional physical prototypes and make faster, more informed deci- sions as designs progress through the design cycle. With this in mind, can engineers afford not to utilise modern CAE software?
EPLAN
www.eplan.co.uk T: 01709 704 100
Enter 211
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52