Smart Data: From Design to Production

Fortunately, there is a simple solution – one that, in the longer term, will also help control panel manufacturers grow their business by increasing both their productivity and output.   

If you are a control panel manufacturer, then by using Eplan ECAD software, alongside automation machinery from Eplan’s sister company Rittal, you can unlock significant efficiency improvements. Your teams will achieve far more within tighter time limits, at lower cost, and with fewer mistakes.   

Rittal and Eplan together combine industrial experience and technological know-how to help businesses automate, and digitalise, processes along their value chain. They streamline and speed up processes at every phase: from engineering, to procurement and manufacturing, through to operation. 

As industry evolves to meet modern needs, manufacturing data is becoming ever-more important; which is a key theme in the Rittal Application Centre, based at Rittal and Eplan’s Rotherham site. When standardising the process of electrical engineering the work begins at the design project planning phase. A design engineer could utilise a schematic generator like Eplan eBuild. All they need to do when using this configurator is click the relevant functions, key data, variants and operations. Wiring plans, parts lists and other documents are then generated on an automated basis. 

Continued data flow from design into production ensures that the engineer’s design intent is effectively communicated through all production processes, and allows for a seamless workflow. Rittal has developed intelligent production machines that respond to Eplan's output data and engineering software. For example, panel builders can use Eplan Pro Panel software to design their cabinets in 3D, then send the data from these drawings to a CNC milling terminal or laser centre to drill, tap and cut out enclosure components. 

Rittal’s automation equipment can easily be operated by more junior/less experienced team members, which strips away the repetitive manual processes within the panel build process such as drilling patterns, crimping cables and wiring; while delivering error-free outcomes.  

This means that you can free up your skilled electrical engineers to support other, more strategic areas of client support and business development. 

3D Models, Assistance Applications & Automation 

Eplan software enables your electrical engineers to effortlessly create 3D models of each control panel layout.  

They can also generate manufacturing drawings and cutting lists for cable ducts, use 3D routing to determine cable lengths, label components and accurately place cables and components within the models. 

All this data can then be exported as the technical specifications and the blueprint for automated production equipment to manufacture the panels e.g. drill mounting plates, or accurately cut to length and crimp cables.   

Because the process is entirely automated, errors are reduced, production times are speeded up and customer satisfaction will inevitably increase. What’s more, by automating your production, you will create time and space for the business to take on more contracts, as well as increasing your profitability and competitiveness.  

Automated Panel Production Stages

1. Simply set the mounting plate. The manufacturing system takes the data from the 3D model and automatically drills holes and mills threads as well as cutting any notches in the panel. There is no longer any need for error-prone manual data entries. 

1. The Rittal Wire Terminal will automatically do all the cutting to length, labelling, crimping and bundling cables.  This can run in parallel to the cabinet modifications, based on the virtual prototype of the control panel created in Eplan. This will reduce cabling waste and speeds up production.  

1. When it comes to assembly, technicians are guided by instructions on a tablet or monitor, which takes them through the manual assembly and wiring of a control panel using step-by-step instructions. Several team members can work on the same or multiple control panels, even if they have very little prior experience. The status is updated within the software and can be viewed on a centralised dashboard for progress updates. 

1. Up-to-date maintenance and servicing instructions, as well as up-to-date machine and plant system documentation, are available online on selective Rittal control panels via QR code, thereby reducing the amount of paperwork required by the client.