Schematics now at the push of a button
EPLAN Cogineer gives manufacturers maximum simplicity and ease of use. Dieter Pesch, head of product management and development at EPLAN Software & Service, explains the background.
At the Hannover Messe, EPLAN is presenting a new system for automated schematics generation. EPLAN Cogineer gives manufacturers maximum simplicity and ease of use. Dieter Pesch, head of product management and development at EPLAN Software & Service, explains the background. Even though engineering tools have undergone much improvement and refinement, generating schematics remains a demanding task. What is EPLAN doing to simplify it? Pesch: With the new EPLAN Cogineer, we are taking a completely new approach to schematic creation. Users can intuitively and flexibly define simple rules sets based on existing macro libraries. The rule sets then form the basis for automatically creating schematics and fluid plans at the push of a button. Even those without extensive knowledge of EPLAN can use this highly efficient approach. It is an easy-to-use system which optimally fulfils the needs of our customers; many users taking part in an initial pilot phase have already confirmed these benefits. EPLAN Cogineer uses automated schematic creation to replace the need to copy and paste pages, symbols and macros. This reduces error rates and increases productivity. So automated schematic creation is possible. But what tasks exactly can EPLAN Cogineer do for designers and engineers? Pesch: This mainly depends on the granularity of a rule set. EPLAN Cogineer does not require users to spend weeks or months beforehand creating models and data sets. By using standard EPLAN macros, some functional areas such as drives and power supplies can already be automatically created following a brief period of preparation. Other project content can continue to be created using conventional methods. How quickly can users become familiar with EPLAN Cogineer? Pesch: Just a few hours are required to start using the system. If you want to use the system's full scope of functions, we recommend to attend the standard 3-day product training course. Users then become real professionals and can apply the system profitably and efficiently for day-to-day-business. Is a case study available that demonstrates how much design time can be saved? Pesch: Because schematics can now be automatically generated at the push of a button, time is saved that was previously spent searching, copying and pasting. This drastically reduces the manual effort required in engineering. Depending on the level of the rule set, savings of 30–80 % in engineering are realistic. When is the system available? Pesch: The system will be available to customers and prospects from 1 May 2017. It is also being offered in rental-model format currently in demand. Interview for etz / 4/17
Dieter Pesch, head of product management and development at EPLAN Software & Service
