Feature Electrical Design Software What does the future hold?
EPLAN includes around 200,000 pieces of manufacturer created com- ponent and device data, which enables users to easily select and apply the data or components required during a project, reducing project drafting and documentation by between 50-80%.
Saving time
For over 25 years legacy computer aided design (CAD) systems have been helping businesses become more productive. However, as Ken Christie, director of EPLAN UK explains, companies that rely on legacy systems risk falling behind those who utilise newer, more innovative tools Above and below:
M
ost electrical design in the UK is still performed using simple, two dimensional CAD systems that produce flat drawings, where all accompany- ing lists and documents have to be researched and assembled separately. However, users are increasingly turn- ing to newer, more innovative design tools that not only allow these func- tions to be performed automatically and instantaneously, but that have also been proven to deliver cost sav- ings while improving design integrity and project turnaround times. For example, EPLAN software con- tains all the design tools and report generators required. This helps to ensure greater speed, accuracy and flexibility in product development and order fulfilment.
The EPLAN software also includes automatic error checking features, which make it virtually impossible for errors to slip into project build pack- ages, and which largely eliminate the time consuming error checks neces- sary with legacy systems.
For end users that purchase equip- ment from various suppliers, EPLAN offers reference tools that compare and contrast incoming designs to make sure
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modern electrical design tools enable functions to be performed
automatically and instantaneously, and can also
deliver cost savings while improving design integrity and project
turnaround times
they adhere to established quality and technical standards. This ensures that new project planning does not set out on the wrong track and that errors are detected early on, before having poten- tially detrimental cost consequences in manufacturing and operation. A key feature of EPLAN software is that it is database driven. There is a myriad of device data and components that can be accessed via EPLAN’s data- base and it includes macros of sub-cir- cuits, assembly drawings, function templates for intelligent device selec- tion, international designations, pre- view images and entire manuals.
The ability to automate the creation of recurrent content effectively negates the need for the time consuming creation of master data and provides integrated data for intelligent design, precisely fit- ting assemblies, virtual wiring and sus- tainably shortened product development and production cycles. The EPLAN database can convert project documentation in minutes to the language that customers, vendors and subcontractors require, and export it in one of many common file formats. The EPLAN database can also be linked via a company’s PLM, PDM, ERP or other enterprise systems to sales, purchasing, accounting, manu- facturing, service and other depart- ments. This acts like a digital highway - linking engineering disciplines not only with one another, but also with other vital business disciplines, as well as customers and suppliers. In addition, EPLAN’s software (which is available in 16 languages with more available thanks to its Unicode capability), fosters collabora- tive workflows, interdepartmental and global integration, the standardis- ation and reuse of content, data relia- bility and consistency, and mechatronic design. Projects can also be structured from the outset to allow for automatic conversion from the IEC or European DIN to the North American NFPA industry standards.
Value
For users of electrical design software such as EPLAN, the real value lies in its capability and flexibility. EPLAN also has a wide partnership network, which provides users with a central web-based database that can hold a large archive of up to date information ready for insertion into a project. Modern electrical design software can act as a key catalyst in changing how design workflows are structured and to standardise product content to fully exploit the capability of the common platform to store and reuse data.
EPLAN
www.eplan.co.uk T: 01709 704 100
Enter 221 APRIL 2012 Electrical Engineering
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