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At the top of every electrical engineer's Christmas wishlist this year is an impeccable Bill of Materials (BOM). A perfect BOM, automatically generated from design drawings, would be a game-changer, as it can eliminate the errors that often come from manually created lists.
Trudging through the snow to the shops once again for forgotten parts? Nightmare. This dream BOM would include every component from the main switches right down to those easily forgettable items like wire ducts and cable ties. For panel builders facing the increasing pressure to deliver more for less, this boost in efficiency would be well-appreciated, and increase your production time within a competitive market.
The perfect BOM wouldn't simply just 'list parts'; it would be smart. Need to split the list for a large project? Not a problem. The BOM would be smart enough to automatically update whilst engineers make changes to their designs, ensuring that every component will be accounted for in the final copy.
This level of intelligent integration would provide instant access to detailed product information so you can quickly make informed decisions. For those working on complex projects, the ability to seamlessly configure multi-bay enclosures and generate precise cutout dimensions would be invaluable.
A perfect BOM isn't only about saving time; it's about reducing stress, reducing the risk of error, and overall, boosting your profitability. As you sip your eggnog and dream of a more efficient start to the new year, let it be known that this perfect BOM would BE the Christmas gift that keeps on giving.
2. Every Component Fits Perfectly
The electrical engineer's dream of a control panel where every component fits perfectly is no longer just a holiday fantasy. Thanks to advanced ECAD tools, it can now be your everyday reality.
Eplan Pro Panel is the software that allows us to work with precise 3D models. Revolutionary 3D visualisations ensure optimal component placement from day one. This precautionary tool enables you to easily identify and resolve potential issues before they become costly problems on the assembly line. Our software even enforces minimum spacing requirements and checks for collisions between door-mounted and chassis-mounted devices.
As if it couldn't get any better: these detailed 3D representations then can turn into accurate 2D panel and door layout drawings, providing clear guidance for precise component mounting. We're removing the guesswork of your workflow – every part can be placed exactly as intended. First time, every time.
The benefits of this level of precision extends far beyond the assembly stage. The accuracy also promises the long-term reliability and performance of the control panel, allowing you to trust that it will save time, money, and effort that would otherwise be spent fixing preventable corrections.
3. Easy Last-Minute Changes
Last-minute changes are inevitable in the electrical engineering sphere. However, it doesn't need to be complicated.
With Eplan's ECAD software, the system updates all related references instantly which guarantees that all engineers are working with the most current information. Meeting project requirements is much easier when everybody is on the same page.
Intuitive software capabilities include allowing engineers to make real-time adjustments to component layouts, wiring configurations, and even enclosure designs. Whether it's resizing a panel to accommodate new equipment or rearranging components for better accessibility. these changes can be implemented with minimal disruption.
The 3D modelling feature enables engineers to visualise alterations at a moment's notice. Thankfully, this wishlist item co-exists seamlessly with other items on the list, such as ensuring that every component fits perfectly. The integrated BOM updates automatically when changes are made, tying into the benefit of not needing to manually update item lists. This smooth integration not only saves time but also reduces the risk of errors that can result from last-minute modifications.
For electrical engineers, the ability to make simple and effective last-minute changes is like catching a glimpse of a reindeer; rare, but not impossible.
4. Automated Cross-referencing
This Christmas, electrical engineers are hoping for the gift of automated cross-referencing — a feature that fast-tracks everyone's control panel design workflow.
With advanced tools like our ECAD software, you can automatically insert device, contact, and interruption point cross-references into your schematics as you make edits. This automation process ensures that every component is accurately linked to its corresponding function, and ultimately makes complex designs clearer and easier to manage. The schematics practically design themselves!
Providing real-time updates of component locations allows engineers to quickly identify relationships between devices, and therefore significantly reduces the risk of errors sneaking through to the assembly stage. When a device appears multiple times across different pages, the software recognises these instances and generates automatic cross-references that guide the users to each location. This way, you can save time while also improving the quality of your documentation.
Collaboration becomes easier with clear and consistent references able to help everyone witness the dependencies and connections between components. To summarise: smoother communication, reduced misunderstandings, and better documentation quality. Father Christmas is truly too good to us.
5. Smart Mounting & Smart Wiring for Stress-free Assembly
Last up on our electrical engineer's Christmas list is wishing for stress-free control cabinet assembly. The solution is simple: Smart Mounting and Smart Wiring. Say goodbye to the headaches of deciphering paper schematics and say hello to a streamlined digital workflow!
Eplan Smart Mounting provides step-by-step 3D visualisations for placing components, rails, and cable ducts. Even less experienced technicians can confidently tackle complex projects which frees you up for more tasks. These phrases are music to every engineer's ears: an enhanced workflow, improved productivity, and greater profitability. It's almost better than 'The Fairytale of New York.'
Pair this with Eplan Smart Wiring and you've got an unstoppable combination that removes all guesswork out of the process. This intuitive software offers point-to-point connection guidance. By ensuring that the wiring is precise and efficient, you don't have to get buried in sheaves of paper schematics.
By embracing these smart solutions, you'll reap tons of benefits, such as a reduction in assembly and wiring time, minimised errors, improved communication, and greater adaptability to last-minute changes.
Put the paper schematics aside, but be sustainable, of course... Use that paper for your gift-wrapping this Christmas. Your engineering friends might appreciate it.
Conclusion
So, have we inspired you to redraft your Christmas wishlist to Santa this year? It's all in good fun, but ultimately, we want to make all of your holiday wishes come true.
Luckily, our software is available year-round. Even when Santa retreats back to the North Pole, we'll be back in the new year to solve all of your electrical engineering headaches.
Merry Christmas from all of us at Eplan UK!
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