Electricity + Control November 2019

INDUSTRY 4.0 + INDUSTRIAL INTERNET OF THINGS

reports, control cabinet layout and devices and templates. The reasons for this are clear: “The dependencies on customers or partners in these process steps is sometimes relatively low or non-existent,” says E4TC Managing Director Dr Thomas Gartzen. “Companies are completely in control in these areas to tap into potential time and cost savings through standardisation or automation projects.” The path to higher efficiencies in the value chain is mapped out using traditional methods, going from standardisation through to automation. To be able to evaluate the efficiency of each work step, the study scaled the workflow methodology in five stages – where the efficiency level (eLevel) of engineering can be located. Increasing potential Using the collected data, the researchers determined that companies can become 20% more efficient from eLevel to eLevel. Device- oriented work methods bring about a 25% time saving for schematic creation. Users spent half as much time creating schematics with a circuit library for product functions. Introducing partial automation brings an additional 25% time

saving for creating schematics and creating all reports is completely eliminated by introducing standardisation.

EPLAN provides software and service solutions in the fields of electrical, automation and mechatronic engineering. The company has developed one of the world´s leading design software solutions for machine and panel builders. EPLAN also works as a partner to streamline challenging engineering processes. Standardised and customised interfaces to ERP and PLM/PDM systems ensure data consistency along the whole value chain. Working with EPLAN enables communication across all engineering disciplines. In small or large enterprises, customers can apply their expertise more efficiently. EPLAN works with customers and partners to advance integration and automation in engineering. Worldwide, the company supports over 55 000 customers, focusing on efficient engineering.

E4TC Managing Director, Dr Thomas Gartzen: “The study focused on work fields and process steps where companies are completely in control to tap into potential time and cost savings through standardisation or automation.”

The typical time required for the engineering steps (1-8) in percentage terms, assuming eLevel2.

Electricity + Control

NOVEMBER 2019

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