MONHEIM, Germany, Sep 13, 2023 – EPLAN Smart Mounting was launched at the SPS 2022 trade show. Now the new Version 2024 is available and production managers should sit up and take notice! With the new dashboards, moving forward they will have an overview of all the orders: all in a single field – and without having to make the rounds on the factory floor. It ensures all orders can be seen at a glance and makes it possible to guarantee that all resources are being optimally utilised. Manufacturing technicians are also getting additional support: by scanning a component, the software shows exactly where it needs to be installed.
EPLAN Smart Mounting makes control cabinet manufacturing and panel building even easier. It leads assembly technicians though the assembly steps for rails, cable ducts and electrical components, and shows where each component must be placed. Yet manufacturing personnel aren’t the only ones receiving ideal support; production managers also benefit from the complete overview of and within projects. This was previously just limited to a single order, but in the new Version 2024, the entire flow of orders in manufacturing is displayed. Different dashboards show all the orders currently in progress – including how far along each is in the production process. There’s a single overview where the production manager can see all the relevant information – including comments from technicians at the order level. If desired, the manager can select a (running) order and receive all the information on the progress of this individual order, thereby providing support for resource planning, improves communication amongst the team, and saving having to make time-consuming rounds on the shop floor.
Tracking for better costing
Another innovation: both EPLAN Smart Mounting and EPLAN Smart Wiring now simultaneously evaluate previous orders, meaning already recorded ones. The software shows how many orders have been processed during a particular time period and determines KPIs such as the average time required per component or connection. These values can ideally be used to calculate time costs for new orders, and they make it easy to test new workflows to optimize production processes. For instance, if the component labelling process is changed, the time per item can be checked after a few jobs. The detailed tracking at the work level provides an optimal overview here.
Assign components? Just scan them!
The system’s simplicity additionally ensures that companies can effectively handle the shortage of skilled employees. Even not fully skilled technicians can take on both component installation and – in combination with EPLAN Smart Wiring – the cabling of a control cabinet. To make this even easier, EPLAN, the solutions provider, has implemented yet another real-life innovative idea in the new Version 2024. Components can now be scanned for improved recognition. EPLAN Business Owner Rapid Design Tobias Kratz explains: “With the newly integrated scan function, every component can now be clearly identified and correctly placed in the control cabinet. Similar-looking components now will not be mistaken for each other, and the workflow is also accelerated. It is therefore unambiguous about where each and every device must be installed.”
Full consistency through to cabling
Technicians previously had to identify the components themselves using device numbers or with the help of a 3D macro, which definitely requires a certain level of expertise. “Now the technician simply picks up the component and a hand-held scanner, scans the EAN code, and the digital twin then shows where the component is supposed to be installed,” Kratz says. In combination with EPLAN Smart Wiring, the cabling process is also supported using a uniform, system-wide foundation. Further, an interface to the Rittal Wire Terminal WT C means that the information for bundling is synchronized with the cabling list – and the cables are displayed exactly in the output sequence by the fully automatic wire processing machine. All data from engineering and manufacturing can be synchronized – based on the digital twin in EPLAN Pro Panel.
Individually customizable user interface
Everyone usually prefers to work with an interface that is familiar to them, or follow an accustomed workflow. The smart systems from EPLAN support this, too. For example, ERP numbers can be displayed and search and/or filtering criteria can be individually customized, as can the display of the 3D model. Either the production manager or the individual user can decided what works best. This allows applications to be ideally customized to internal processes and personal preferences can also be taken into account. This means that everyone is working in a highly efficient manner with their own optimal user interface, all adapted to the company’s production landscape.
Find out more at: www.eplan-software.com/eplan-smart-mounting.
About EPLAN
EPLAN provides software and service solutions in the fields of electrical, automation and mechatronic engineering. The company develops one of the world’s leading design software solutions for machine and panel builders. EPLAN is also the ideal partner to streamline challenging engineering processes.
Both standardized as well as customized interfaces to ERP and PLM/PDM systems ensure data consistency along the whole value chain. Working with EPLAN means boundless communication across all engineering disciplines. No matter whether small or large enterprises: Customers can apply their expertise more efficiently. Worldwide, EPLAN supports more than 65,000 customers. EPLAN wants to grow further with customers and partners and pushes integration and automation in engineering forward. Within the EPLAN Partner Network, open interfaces and seamless integrations are realized together with partners. “Efficient engineering” is the focus.
EPLAN was founded in 1984 and is part of the owner-operated Friedhelm Loh Group. The Friedhelm Loh Group operates worldwide with more than 12 production sites and over 95 international subsidiaries. The entire group employs more than 12.000 people and generated revenues of €3 billion in 2022. For the 14th time in succession, the family business has won the accolade “Top German Employer” in 2022. In addition, Friedhelm Loh Group was recognized as “Top vocational trainer” according to a study of Deutschland Test and Focus Money. For more information visit www.eplan-software.com and www.friedhelm-loh-group.com.
