Electricity + Control February 2019

CONTROL SYSTEMS + AUTOMATION

programs offered functions for easy and precise placement of circuit diagram symbols and their interconnection. Soon, that was not enough for efficient working. The concept of object orienta- tion was added to the software. A placed symbol is no longer just a collection of drawn lines; it is one of many views of a device that is to be inte- grated later in the real control panel. To create a plan that is as exact as possible, you need various representations of a device. In the circuit diagram, for example, one places a coil. In the assembly plan, it is a true-to-scale drawing, which shows the dimensions of the device. For the software, however, it is only different views of one and the same object. With the object orientation and the automation functions available in practically every ECAD software, it is possible to take advantage of many benefits for daily work. This starts with generating simple output lists and proceeds to automatic renaming or displaying and hiding of layers up to complete modular engi- neering. When using new software, many users do not change their habits. In exaggerated terms, these users continue to draw with the new software as before. New software is intended to simplify daily work and the investment, which can represent a burden for the company, would not be justified. Take advantage of the possibilities of the soft- ware, even if this means extra effort or a training course. It will certainly be profitable in the subse- quent project. This requires leaving the comfort zone but, the first time the motor feeder or supply no longer has to be drawn or copied but only con- figured and generated, you will quickly want more. The tasks to be mastered have expanded From designer to data manager The above-mentioned reasons for increased time pressure in electrical planning are dictated by the customer. Other factors to be overcome come with ongoing digitalisation in electrical engineering. The daily work of electrical designers should consist of planning activities. However, more and

ied. In general, complexity of the documentation increases constantly. End customers and machine builders desire a higher level of detail to enable better and more independent production. This is accompanied by the trend towards outsourcing control panel manufacture to specialised control panel builders. Fewer and fewer machine builders can afford their own in-house control panel build- ing operation. The documents for the control panel must contain detailed information that will enable the customer and supplier to reach a clear agree- ment on the scope of work and prevent possible disputes over any added costs incurred. The communication portion of the integrated components increases continuously. What was once a ‘simple’ controller now includes measuring and monitoring devices for tasks such as energy or condition monitoring. This makes planning more complex and time consuming. But such communi- cation is essential for Industry 4.0 capable plants. There are also changes taking place in the as- sembly and wiring of a control panel, where there is an increasing degree of automation, such as prefabrication of cables and automated machining of sheet metal parts. This calls for more data and details to be included in the plan. Last, but not least, demands on service have increased. Maintenance personnel must receive all the necessary information for a component replacement quickly and efficiently. In this era of just-in-time production, long machine downtimes have a much greater impact than they did 10 years ago. Poor documentation can lead to longer outag- es, which can reflect negatively on the reputation of a machine builder. The changing tools of the electrical planner bring new opportunities ECAD tools can often do more than you think As cost and associated time pressure challeng- es increase, the use of tools for daily work also changes. A few years ago, a ‘drawing’ was the main vehicle for creating electrical plans. ECAD

As demands on service increase, so maintenance personnel need

information quickly and efficiently.

more activities include downloading, storing, processing and backing up data.To some extent, these are clas- sic activities from the field of data management. They have to be done but are not directly remunerated.

Complexity, automated assembly and production, and demands on service and maintenance increasing call for documentation with high-quality, digitally processable information and thus also for efficient engineering.

Electricity + Control

FEBRUARY 2019

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