Success by design
01 April 2009
Last July, Les Hunt reviewed the latest developments in the world of electrical design tools (view here). Nine months later, Simon Rowley picks up the baton and takes a contemporary look at developments in this fast-moving field
Last year, PSB documented the wealth of opportunities brought about by the use of both Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) software tools. Documented evidence reveals that the technology can be applied in a multitude of different areas; not least, in the land of panel building and system integration. It is perhaps a niche that many, up until recently, may not have considered a viable (or indeed, necessary) option. However, the potential time and cost savings that can be achieved by making good use of this software prove too enticing to ignore. Here is a look at some of the more recent developments:
First up is the latest version (1.9) of the EPLAN Platform. Electrical engineering software that has proven to save the user both time and money, EPLAN is one of the market leading Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) software programs for the design of electrical control and automation systems. A standalone product on a Microsoft operating system, it is able to offer an 80% increase in productivity, a rapid return on investment, and prides itself on being remarkably easy-to-use.
The latest version of this software features many additions to the initial concept that emphasise the above notions to an even greater degree. A flexible, practice-oriented product that offers customer-driven features, EPLAN 1.9 offers a myriad of new functions that enhance the intuitiveness and productivity of all users, regardless of their levels of experience.
The latest platform includes EPLAN Electric P8, EPLAN Fluid and EPLAN PPE, which are all based on a uniform database. The new features and functional innovations of the new 1.9 version can be found in all three products, with users benefiting from integrated data handling across the entire process.
Highlights, which include EPLAN now supporting Windows Vista, are flexible parts management - also via SQL. In addition to the commercial and technical components data, the EPLAN parts management now stores logical function descriptions. Due to new individual classification attributes, devices are now being designed, controlled and analysed in an optimal manner leading to short access times and multi-user handling for simultaneous access by many project participants.
Finally, with the new ‘redlining’ function, the entire documentation can be transferred to the PDF format and subsequently released for modification data. Modifications can also now be re-imported as graphic elements into the original EPLAN project.
Meanwhile, Wieland Electric’s samos PLAN is a simple and intuitive programming system for the company’s samos PRO universal I/O safety system that allows users to design and configure the hardware as well as logic programs directly from their PCs.
Part of the samos safety module system, samos PLAN integrates programming, diagnostic and reporting online or offline, and allows function block programming, graphically presented. The graphic representation of safety functions and function blocks allows I/O configuration direct from the user’s PC, and the simplicity of the system means that no prior programming knowledge is required.
It’s capable of data logging, whilst reporting and diagnostic functions allow local or remote monitoring access, and the system can produce all necessary safety approval related documentation and any other documents or drawings required for a modern production or approval process.
By using samos PLAN in conjunction with samos PRO, the user can design and configure safety systems quickly and easily. Remote/local diagnostics with reporting functions make monitoring and communication both simple and effective. Universal I/O configurations via the intuitive software reduce design and implementation time significantly, offering substantial cost savings for design, build and commissioning.
All the function blocks are approved to the relevant safety standards: Category 4 (EN954-1), Performance Level PLe (EN ISO 13849-1) and SIL 3 (EN62061).
Zuken, a company that works with companies to optimise their electrical and electronic engineering design and related manufacturing processes via its software and consulting services, is breaking new ground with its recently introduced E³.panel.
The application is an extension of the company’s E³.series, a Windows-based modular, scalable and intuitive system for the engineering of electrotechnical, pneumatics and hyrdaulics applications; electronic components cabling and wiring harnesses.
The E³.panel is among one of the first systems of its kind for panel design that has integrated 3D functionality, and aims to break down the barriers for all designers to have access to easy-to-use tools for 3D design functionality. The company understands that in complex panel applications where the application is working with multiple layers and/or non standard enclosures where space is limited, it is becoming more and more of a necessity to work in 3D - as a result, this has focused development efforts on incorporating these capabilities directly within E³.panel.
Outside of this particular application, designing in 3D would involve working with a specialist 3D design tool, and thus requiring specialist knowledge; whereas neither a separate piece of software nor specialist knowledge is required with the E³.panel. Functionality has been incorporated specifically to be easy to use, and delivers only the level of complexity that the panel engineer requires that is intuitive and easy to pick up and work with.
For further collision checking, it is also possible to output data into more advanced 3D mechanical design environments using STEP (the Standard for the Exchange of Product data) format.
Finally, Design Master Software - a software development company based in North America - offers AutoCAD electrical software to the electrical engineer and designer for the design and drafting stages of their projects. Included in its software offering is one line riser diagrams; voltage drop calculations; fault current calculations; feeder sizing, wire sizing and conduit sizing; power and lighting design layout; indoor and outdoor photometric lighting calculations; and cost estimation.
The latest offering from the company is Design Master Electrical 7.1, with the major new feature for this release being improved fault current calculations. These imporved calculations are an example of how a Building Information Modelling (BIM) program can benefit an electrical designer even if the other disciplines are not using BIM. The release also includes a number of usability improvements and bug fixes in response to feedback from customers.
A free demonstration and 30-day trial is available from the company’s website.
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