HANOVER, NH, USA and DETMOLD and MONHEIM, Germany, May 4, 2023 – For many years, control cabinet and switchgear manufacturers have been confronted with a variety of challenges. In addition to the continuing shortage of trained specialists, cost and time pressure for lead times and tests, customer expectations regarding flexibility and change management as well as the new requirements for climate neutrality, sustainability and the circular economy are areas in which the industry must keep pace. Furthermore, it must meet the demands for increasingly individual solutions and often realize flexible batch-size-1 production.
For many years, Weidmüller has been supporting the industry with proven solutions and innovative engineering concepts, such as the Weidmüller Configurator WMC, in order to meet the diverse requirements. The extended partnership with EPLAN as part of the EPLAN Partner Network is based on a clear objective: to improve data quality and expand data models for automated and efficient control cabinet building.
Volker Bibelhausen, Spokesman of the Executive Board and Chief Technology Officer at Weidmüller, explains: “The technology partnership with EPLAN aims to develop forward-looking data models and interfaces for better digital consistency along the process chain and greater automation of control cabinet building. At the same time, it strengthens the circle of companies that coordinate the core digital technologies for Industry 4.0 in the working groups under the auspices of ZVEI and VDMA.”
To achieve this goal, Weidmüller uses the ECLASS Advanced format for its data, converts it to the EPLAN Data Standard and makes all data available in the EPLAN Data Portal. Weidmüller is also developing connectors to be able to control the company’s own software systems, such as the M-Print Pro labelling and marking software, directly from EPLAN. The web-based engineering tool WMC will also include wizards to help the user find the right and approved product and components in a solution-oriented manner.
From the planning to the approval of a control cabinet, logistical planning and the control of production processes are of crucial importance. An acceleration of assembly can be achieved if pre-assembled terminal strips are used and the continuous marking of components and conductors is implemented. But also the assembly of cable harnesses and the implementation of a partially or fully automated production line require more precise data models in order to safely control the processes and achieve high product quality. Sebastian Seitz, CEO of EPLAN, sums up: “This optimization of data as well as workflows enables more precise control of production processes and improves production efficiency and quality for the customer.”
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.
