Mitsubishi Electric Europe, EPLAN to continue strive for more
MONHEIM, Germany, Oct 31, 2014 – Transferring data from electrical engineering directly into PLC programming – this is now state-of-the-art technology with the integration of EPLAN Electric P8 and GX Works2. Yet Mitsubishi Electric Europe and EPLAN to continue strive for more as partners. Through the e-F@ctory Alliance, they are able to further increase project quality and data consistency for users.
Hartmut Pütz
The development departments at Mitsubishi Electric and EPLAN are working closely together in order to realize the optimal integration of electrical engineering and PLC programming. The EPLAN Platform and GX Works2, Mitsubishi Electric’s programming software for their PLCs of the MELSEC Series, are now linked via a new interface. This enables reductions in development costs of more than 50 percent for joint customers. Here is one specific use scenario: an electrical engineer creates a wiring diagram and with a click of the mouse sends the information for the I/O addresses and function texts (as examples) to the PLC programmer, who is programming GX Works2 controls. This automatic data exchange prevents time-consuming and costly inquiries.
Maximilian Brandl
This, in turn, leads to considerable reductions in development and commissioning times for plants and systems. As part of this platform, EPLAN Electric P8 combines the data for the electrical hardware planning and control technology as well as the associated comprehensive documentation. ”The project quality and data consistency increase through the integration with GX Works2 and at the same time, cost and development time of our mutual customer will be reduced.” says Hartmut Pütz, resident of Mitsubishi Electric’s Factory Automation – European Business Group.“
Maximilian Brandl, president of EPLAN, adds, “We are pleased to be a member of Mitsubishi Electric’s partner network. Our global customers benefit from the E-CAD and PLC interface, and the high component availability at the EPLAN Data Portal. Furthermore, this cooperation with Mitsubishi Electric Europe will strengthen our new market presence in Japan.”
The central EPLAN Platform includes all data from preliminary planning through to detail engineering. This information can be used as the basis for subsequent project phases in the PLC-oriented automation technology. Furthermore, macros (libraries) and CAD product data from Mitsubishi Electric can be integrated in order to accelerate component selection, configuration and schematic designs. Once electrical engineering has been completed, all of the data stored in EPLAN can be directly imported into GX Works2, which enables quick and simple system configuration and programming. Projects saved in libraries can also be used for future applications; a function, program or system structure that has been designed, tested and approved is then available to be integrated into a new system in just a few minutes, which considerably simplifies the creation of future designs. Engineers benefit from these innovative engineering solutions across disciplines and beyond project phases and development processes.
About 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 worldwide and generated revenues of about 3 billion USD in 2011. EPLAN is therefore synonymous with continuity and investment security. Eight offices in North America and company presence in 50 countries support 40,000 customers with 100,000 installations worldwide. The corporate motto – ‘Efficient Engineering’ – underlines the proficiency of optimized, efficient processes, which keep companies competitive in the long term.
