Automatically creating schematics is now child’s play. Solutions provider Eplan presents a brand new software for efficient configuration at the Hannover Messe, ensuring both a quick start using the soft-ware and impressive results, all with just a few clicks. Eplan Cogineer, which is completely inte-grated into the Eplan Platform, offers ease of use and maximum simplicity. Expert knowledge about configuration or variant management isn’t required – just standard knowledge of how to use macros.

After the successful start of the new online concept in 2016, solutions provider Eplan is taking the next logical step. In association with its affiliate Cideon, the specialists for efficient engineering are hosting the next Virtual Fair on 21 March. Customers and other interested parties will experience a trade-show feeling, up close and personal: software demonstra-tions will be happening live, as will the presentations. No time-consuming travel is necessary: just register, log in and take part in the talks online or chat with experts from around the world at the virtual engineering stand.

Efficiency ranks first, but the joy of designing doesn’t get short shrift: the new Eplan Harness proD version 2.6 is an intuitive 3D/2D software that covers all of today’s requirements for wiring and wire harness engineering. New features include enhancements to production specifications, which include cable drawings in addition to the nail board. Cable dimensioning is now automatic. If desired, cables with predefined length can easily be routed in an intuitive fashion. Cooperation between mechanical and electrical engineering becomes true team-work with open interfaces.

Eplan Education, the training concept for schools and colleges, includes software solutions in the areas of electrical, fluid power, ICA and control cabinet engineering. Previously limited to 25 slots, Eplan Education Campus now has an expanded network licence with 300 slots. The licence is made available on a central server and can be used across institutions around the entire campus. This provides education facilities around the world the opportunity to fully train on the software.

Introduced at the Hannover Messe – and now available: Eplan Smart Wiring software opens up new potential for wiring switchgear systems. This system is easy to use since the technical switchgear knowledge is anchored within the system. It also enables better weathering of personnel shortages. Solutions provider Eplan is forging new technical pathways with this software, which can also be used on mobile devices: the system is being made available free of charge for up to four months.

High-quality data has become essential for engineering, and a new Eplan Data Portal record proves it: in June 2016, users downloaded around 1,000,000 device and component data, with the trend continuing upward. This clearly demonstrates that there is a great need for manufacturers’ data and that without data integration, everyday life and engineering in particular come to a grinding halt.

It’s quite the example of an ‘out of the box’ culture of innovation. With the new Eplan Platform version 2.6, users benefit from substantial engineering features that can easily be integrated into everyday work processes, including new functions for terminal design and project data management, the representa-tion of piping in fluid power engineering, and optimised IT integration. Another highlight: Eplan Platform is now also available in Turkish and thus offered in a total of eighteen languages.

Solutions provider Eplan is increasing the Eplan Data Portal’s circle of users and further strengthen-ing its position as a global supplier of digital device data. To date, access to around 600,000 device data and more than 1.2 million configuration variants have been reserved for Eplan’s own users. At the Hanno-ver Messe, the company is introducing an expansion of output formats for the Data Portal. Eplan will now allow all users access to data in .dxf formats. Eplan is therefore becoming accessible to a substantial group of AutoCAD users, particularly in North America and Asia. Device manufacturers represented in the Eplan Data Portal will thus be able to expand their reach. Another new feature: robust commercial data is being made available to ERP, PDM and PLM users – as individual downloads or complete data packages. Starting in mid-May, all interested parties can register online free of charge.

Wiring a control cabinet requires a lot of time and expertise, however Eplan is making the process much easier: the Smart Wiring Application will be presented at the Hannover Messe. The software visualises the wiring and provides the necessary production data 100 per cent digitally. The ad-vantage: knowledge of the control technology is plugged into the system in the future. Users benefit from substantial timesavings for last-minute changes because the software also handles the often complex task of project comparison.

At the 2015 SPS IPC Drives, Eplan, Phoenix Contact and Rittal are presenting “Thermal Design Integra-tion” – new possibilities for the standardised design of energy-efficent control cabinets with climate control systems. This integrated virtual engineering means companies can avoid design errors with the climate control systems and prevent unnecessary downtimes and service calls, thereby reducing costs while increasing process quality.