The New Eplan Platform 2023 Streamlines Project Planning, Offering Faster Results

The new Eplan Platform 2023 accelerates project planning with new cloud-based device management and multi-standard support for schematic macros. This means that users can get results faster, especially when working on international projects, due to the simplified device data management system, while also increasing the overall quality of their projects. The new 3D graphics core, an optimized cable editor, and the new Insert Center all improve engineering performance and transparency.

The new Eplan Platform 2023 incorporates a number of new features that make it easier to use and result in time savings and improved performance for users. “Along with the many opportunities for collaboration in engineering, the new multi-standard support for schematic macros really stands out,” says Thomas Weichsel, Vice President Software, Eplan. “On the new Eplan Platform 2023, it saves users from having to deal with device data management that used to be quite time-consuming – especially on international projects.”

Standards compliant – devices with up to twenty schematic macros

Company-specific standards, such as guidelines, different dimension specifications, and varying global market standards, such as NFPA or IEC, necessitate different ways of representing devices in schematics. Previously, each device could only save one macro. With the new device data management system, each device can now have up to twenty different schematic macros assigned to it. The software now automatically assigns the correct macro after the relevant standard is selected, which can then be easily transferred into the schematics via drag and drop. This simplifies device management, provides a better project overview, and reduces administrative effort.

As Weichsel explains, component manufacturers who provide device data for the Eplan Data Portal, for example, according to the Eplan Data Standard, benefit as well: “In the future, a driver, for instance, can be stored and maintained as one data set with different schematic macros on the Eplan Data Portal, considerably reducing the amount of effort required of manufacturers for providing and maintaining their data.”

Eplan eStock: cloud-based device management

Using Eplan eStock, the new device data management feature in the Eplan Platform 2023, device data can be maintained in the Eplan cloud. This facilitates collaboration and reduces coordination times and media disruptions. Eplan eStock can be accessed regardless of company location; project participants can easily and securely access the device data in the cloud whether they are working from home, at another company location around the world, or sharing data with business partners. Companies save time and money by not having to set up and maintain their own extra IT infrastructure.

3D graphics engine for better performance

Machines and plant systems are becoming more automated, and digital twins are becoming an essential part of control cabinet and switchgear engineering processes. This is accompanied by an increase in complexity and higher expectations for 3D structuring of control cabinet layouts. The amount of data and information that must be managed is growing at an exponential rate. Users previously required a great deal of patience, especially when rendering large 3D models. Eplan has significantly accelerated project processes with the new Engine Direct3D graphics core. The 3D rendering is now much faster, and actions like zooming and rotating are much smoother and easier.

Cable editor for optimized cable management

The Eplan Platform 2023 also simplifies the field cabling of control cabinets that are distributed decentrally throughout a plant system. For example, the new cable editor simplifies the management and visualization of cables on the Eplan Platform, regardless of the number of wires. A single dialog box graphically displays the device and type number, source and destination, shielding, and connection. As a result, the new cable editor lays the groundwork for virtual machine cabling and easy cable-length determination in Eplan Harness proD. Cable information is now visible at a glance, from source to destination.

Insert Center: greater project overview

Symbols, macros, and devices can now be displayed as a table in a dialog box in a more focused manner. This is made possible by the expanded Insert Center in the Eplan Platform 2023, which provides a better project overview. Users can also search for devices intuitively, even in external or linked documents. Which components make use of what current strength? When the user clicks on the table, the logic information becomes visible. Furthermore, the new tagging function facilitates navigation: logical selection paths and improved project structures speed up both searching and project planning in general. The new Microsoft Excel interface makes it easier for users to work: They no longer need to install the software themselves to output data in that format, making the output of lists and tables more efficient overall.

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