"Automated Engineering 4.0" was the theme of the seventh EEC Forum from 23–25 September at the Radission Blu Hotel in Cologne. Around 200 interested people attended the event for networking and technical discussions, with around 70 participants coming from abroad. The key software we looked at were the automation solutions, EPLAN Engineering Configuration (EEC) and EPLAN Cogineer. The virtually unlimited applications of the software in various industries and disciplines were demonstrated in best practices and keynote speeches from high-calibre international companies, such as Rockwell Automation, Lenze, Geiss, Danfoss and SAP, as well as in discussions amongst the participants in various work sessions.
Around 200 interested participants visited the EEC Forum 2019.
Step by step: Product streamlining, standardisation, modularisation & automation
Automation is the next logical step after product streamlining, standardisation and modularisation – a core message that was emphasised by several companies in their presentations.
"In a simple world, the value stream follows simple rules", explained Gerd Schüler, Head of Digital Transformation and Intellectual Property Rights at Lenze. "In the real world, companies are wasting a lot of money to fix their deficits following very complex rules". He stressed "Completeness and data quality are the key for efficient data automation".
Configuring a digital twin in continuous interaction with the new SAP system is an approach that the Danfoss Group uses for its processes in a complex interplay of solutions such as EEC, EPLAN Pro Panel and SAP-LO-VC. The digital twin is then first tested and optimised in a sandbox environment prior to final implementation.
Gerd Schüler from Lenze at the EEC Forum 2019.
Automating to prepare for the future
Sheila Quinnies, Director Enclosed Power and NEMA Business at Rockwell Automation, also experienced this in automation projects using EEC within the US company. In her presentation she gave specific advice to all those who still have this step ahead of them: "Automate your processes step-by-step and first develop a pilot project before starting a complete roll-out. Please don't try to automate an outdated system. Switch to the latest technology and to common standards, and don't underestimate the effort that such a change entails". But it will be effort that is worthwhile, as Quinnies emphasised: "All this automating prepared us for the future".
The speakers from Rockwell Automation together with Achim Potthoff (right) on the stage of the EEC Forum.
Configuring a digital twin in continuous interaction with the new SAP system is an approach that the Danfoss Group uses for its processes in a complex interplay of solutions such as EEC, EPLAN Pro Panel and SAP-LO-VC. The digital twin is then first tested and optimised in a sandbox environment prior to final implementation.
Breaking the ice for successful projects
The various work sessions on the final day of the event started with a classic round of getting to know each other, which was not just aimed at breaking the ice: "Behind every company there are individual IT structures, objectives and challenges. An open discussion of experience with like-minded people can provide a decisive impetus for the success of complex automation projects. This is because the basic tasks are often more similar than one would initially expect", says Achim Potthoff, Head of Business Sales Management at EPLAN, who acted as host to the event's guests. "Giving visitors sufficient space to network at the EEC Forum is therefore very important to us".
During the work sessions, the participants developed new ideas for automated processes.
Find out more
Current information on the EEC Forum can be found at: https://www.engineeringconfiguration.com/en/home
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