December 19, 2011 - Design engineers are confronted with ever-shorter project times and increasingly complex components for industrial automation engineering. Menu driven product configuration and automated documentation are part of the comprehensive process optimization in engineering, production and mounting. igus offers relief for project planning by providing device data and linking CAE and production configurations on EPLAN.
Common goal: Process optimization
igus offers 26 online tools for simple and system supported product configuration. igus QuickPin 2.0 for instance, as a configurator of plug-cable-plug connections, is seamlessly integrated into the engineering processes with EPLAN Electric P8. Project planning with EPLAN provides complete access to the igus product portfolio with more than 850 lines and approximately 3,000 plug combinations. The user is able, supported by configuration rules, to quickly compile the appropriate lines with plugs included, as well as the pin assignment or conductor allocation with just a click. A user can also use the requirements defined in the engineering design as the basic framework for configuring cable connections.
Continuous data flow
The most important premise of the link is avoiding redundant data entries and the seamless data exchange between engineering systems and product configurators. Design engineers receive the appropriate schematic macro right after the custom configuration, which you can enter into the EPLAN project per mouse click. igus delivers the pre-assembled cables based on this configuration. A built-in plausibility check makes sure that only items that are technically compatible can be configured. Therefore the know-how is not stored in the head of some user, but directly in the system. This makes any additional synchronization requirement unnecessary. Short lead times and integrated high quality can be guaranteed.
Components in the Data Portal
Another major step is making component data available in EPLAN Data Portal. Users import component data including schematic representation, product image, parts data and auxiliary documentation simply with drag & drop, and complete the machine and plant documentation with the mere click of a button. Seamless integration of the product data into the design considerably simplifies creating high-quality project documentation for the engineer. The data for all subsequent project phases and administrative order processes is available with no additional effort required.
igus
igus GmbH, headquartered in Cologne,Germany, with 1,900 employees and branches in 28 counties, has been developing, producing and distributing plastic bearings, power track chains and highly flexible custom built lines, among other items, since 1964. No lubrication is needed and maintenance efforts are reduced, which both lower costs and increase life cycles. Everything is available ex stock and for rapid delivery - that is the core idea and goal of all igus products, systems and services; as the company motto states "plastics for longer life." Their 80,000 products are available ex stock in as little as "lot size of one."
EPLAN Software & Service
EPLAN Software & Service develops engineering solutions, which accelerate the product development process. Interdisciplinary expert systems assure the highest degree of productivity and data integration. The solution provider develops customer-specific and tailor-made PDM and PLM concepts and provides comprehensive services such as customizing, consulting and training. Innovative development competence, a consistently practical approach, and international presence are the resulting success factors. EPLAN is part of Rittal International and thus of the Friedhelm Loh Group with 11,500 employees around the world and forecast sales of EUR 2.2 billion in 2011. EPLAN is therefore synonymous with continuity and investment security. Seven German EPLAN locations and our presence in 50 countries support 25,000 customers with 80,000 installations worldwide. The corporate motto - 'Efficient Engineering' - underlines the proficiency of optimized, efficient processes, which keep companies competitive in the long term.
