Standard symbol libraries for all participants
At present, two workstations are equipped with EPLAN 21, and are accessible to the engineers and technicians responsible for electrical planning of the plant. A standard symbol library provides the starting point for all project participants. Two employees act as administrators and are responsible for the maintenance of this library. The input data for the components used in the plant is sent to EPLAN from the mechanical documentation and from the controllers used in the plant files. Data is additionally exchanged with the CMS marking system from Phoenix Contact. The data for the projects and symbol libraries is stored on the central server. At present, plans are underway for a number of data security concepts. For Miele, data protection is a top priority, not only to prevent uninvited visitors from gaining access to the files, but also because accurate circuit diagrams directly impact the availability of plant.

Changes updated automatically
Any necessary changes to these databases are implemented by the responsible employee with the relevant access rights. EPLAN automatically documents these changes, so that the latest version is always available to all participants. EPLAN 21's sophisticated base technology and flexible structures make it capable of supporting changing project-specific requirements. Throughout the entire planning phase, modifications or additions can be updated on-line, with no need for time-consuming generation operations. 
EPLAN 21 is based on consistent use of the object-oriented database structure (OODB). The redundancy-free database guarantees permanent online access to all project information, as well as its integration into corporate-wide process chains. 
Above all, the consistent use of object-oriented data technology in EPLAN 21 facilitates shorter planning times and hence also a substantial reduction in costs. This eliminates time-consuming generation operations and lengthy evaluations. The system automatically provides direct access to all project data. If necessary, the results of project modifications can be controlled at any time, right down to the last detail. 

EPLAN 21 comes with a range of graphical interfaces such as DXF, BMP, HTML, DWF etc., a certified SAP R/3 interface, plus an API and COM interface for integration into existing software environments. In the case of Miele in Bielefeld, data exchange with other factories is not generally required, although colleagues at other factories can of course obtain support if they require an EPLAN service.

Faster processing speeds in day-to-day project management 
Modern, creative, simultaneous electrical engineering is the principal focus of EPLAN 21. All project data is made directly available. Higher processing speeds in day-to-day project management are facilitated by online generation of all information required to complete the wiring schematic, such as cross-references, cables, terminals and device tag numbers. The same goes for online generation of all project-specific documents, such as terminal diagrams, parts lists, wiring lists and page overviews. Miele particularly appreciates the time gains which can be achieved, for example, with automatic moving of the line links whilst drawing. Before EPLAN, the generation of terminal block and mounting plate diagrams and the creation of bills of materials were time-consuming, even impossible, tasks. Today, EPLAN achieves this automatically, almost in passing.

Windows look & feel 
EPLAN 21 blends fully into the WindowsNT environment already in use at the Miele factory in Bielefeld. The Windows "look & feel" is seen as advantageous, as is the two-screen solution. Because it is based closely on the WindowsNT interface, experienced CAE users and beginners alike will benefit from the intuitive functions. EPLAN 21 adapts flexibly to the individual work methods of each user, and supports day-to-day project management with a wide range of features, including project management with 100 % event control, cut & paste (even between different projects), complete status overview with multi-windowing, simultaneous editing of several project pages, freely definable symbols, grids and fonts, individually adjustable desktops, editors and tool tips, and last but not least, the GUI interface (Graphical User Interface). Working with EPLAN 21 itself poses no problems at Miele in Bielefeld. At the start of the selection phase, the software suppliers EPLAN Software & Service GmbH & Co. KG held training courses in Monheim am Rhein in preparation for the decision-making process. The users ultimately opted in favour of EPLAN. So far, assistance from the EPLAN Software & Service hotline has only proved necessary in a few isolated cases. This is also partly because EPLAN 21 does not demand a sequential approach; instead, individual project entry is guaranteed, with due regard for the respective planning status. In effect, it is up to the employees at Miele to decide where to enter the project management process. For example, with EPLAN it is not necessary to begin with the wiring schematic, as is the case with various other software packages. Miele's external suppliers are also increasingly being encouraged to use EPLAN as well, to help things run even more smoothly with the CAE software.

Add the pneumatics and hydraulics
Furthermore, in the near future, Miele are planning to incorporate the pneumatics and hydraulics as well. As a result, additional EPLAN workstations are to be added. Investment in EPLAN becomes even more worthwhile if the pneumatics/hydraulics are integrated. Above all, this helps to prevent the occurrence of double designations for one and the same component. For example, a certain valve may have the designation Y3.0 in the electrical design group and Y9 in the mechanical design group. Of course, when incorporating hydraulics and pneumatics, it is also necessary to regenerate the corresponding symbol libraries so as to avoid double designations.

Consistent documentation
Miele recognises the benefits of combining the electrics, pneumatics and hydraulics in a single project. The European machine safety standard EN 954-1, which defines the safety-relevant parts of control systems, explicitly encompasses electrical engineering, pneumatics and hydraulics.
If consistent EPLAN documentation is available for the electrics, pneumatics and hydraulics of all safety circuits, for example in a large punching/bending plant, this will make the handling of key data within the company much easier. Full documentation of a potentially hazardous machine is also important in case of an inspection by the supervisory authorities. If the documentation is shared amongst several different CAD systems, the homogeneity, efficient design and speed of generating this essential documentation is often compromised. Additionally, one should not lose sight of the fact that pneumatic and hydraulic diagrams are also circuit diagrams, rather than technical drawings. For this reason alone, there is a logical assignment to electrical engineering. Training courses for industrial foremen at the IHK academy in Bielefeld already use EPLAN Compact in the mechanical and electrical engineering faculties for pneumatic and electrical circuit diagrams. The trainers at this academy are professional teachers and employees from companies based in eastern Westphalia, including Miele. These courses attach high importance to working practice with real tools when training foremen. 

Summary: Miele's corporate motto, which was first coined more than 100 years ago – "Better and better" – still applies to all investments made at the company, and EPLAN is no exception!

Last edited: 2002-07-16 14:53