EATON Cooper Crouse-Hinds

User report – Automation:

The focus of EATON / Crouse-Hinds GmbH is explosion protection. As a manufacturer of explosion-proof devices and switchgear, we depend on reliable partners and suppliers. In addition to the special design of the devices, we also need a qualified configuration software in order to meet the requirements of our customers with regard to the circuit diagrams as well as the mechanical assembly. In the ETO (Engineered to Order), masters, technicians and engineers work daily on complex systems for our customers, which are used in worldwide oil, gas and pharmaceutical industry projects.

In explosion protection, one is often tied to several pressure-resistant housings, in which the industrial components are installed. Since the housing sizes are predefined, a system is designed modularly. This is reflected in the circuit diagram by several references for the installation locations of the components. In order to minimize the effort involved in planning, we rely on automation, such as automatic referrals, form feeds and numbering functions, as well as real-time processing. The range of functions is rounded off by features such as the clipboard, which allows us to efficiently implement series changes on projects with larger unit numbers. Changes are unavoidable in today’s project business, as the global team works together and the rapid technical progress calls for a quick adjustment, which means that numerous revisions are due until the end of the project.

validated virtual 3D model – ESplan^® und Espace^®

produced product

In order to meet the requirements of major projects such as South Mahakam or Edvard Grieg, we are building on powerful software. For many projects, a project can be taken as a basis, so it is very important for us that the “old” circuit diagrams are compatible with the “new” circuit diagrams.

Once you are practiced with the software, you can create all the documents that are important for the production process – so we create circuit diagrams, dimension drawing, scaffolding drawings and also drilling patterns with ESplan^®. Similar software can be difficult to keep up, ESplan^® also gives us the possibility to exchange our documents with other formats by means of numerous interfaces such as DWG / DXF import and export, export of parts lists or the logscript, and to adapt the program to the needs of the company . Through the Poweruser meetings, trends and innovations are discussed in order to shape the program together with the manufacturer in the future. ESplan^® also offers Espace^® the right tool to stay up-to-date with Espace^®. The EATON / Crouse-Hinds GmbH is currently examining the extent to which 3D can be used for project planning automatically and integrated into our production process. Thus, a first pilot project was planned in 3D and it is planned to continue to use the possibilities of virtual engineering in the future in this sector as well and to take advantage of the routing of cables for cable channel fill levels, cable length and the accumulation More efficiently.

PDF-Download: User report from EATON – Theme Automation

EATON Cooper Crouse-Hinds

User Report – 3D Print:

EATON has successfully used ESplan^® and Espace^® for years. In the area of ​​project planning, customer-specific solutions for hazardous areas are planned and implemented. Components that are not available in so-called component encapsulations are installed in pressure-resistant aluminum, sheet steel or stainless steel housings. The design of the explosion-proof switchgear means that the engineers of my team also see and need new developments and improvements of our products. A 3D printer like the JBn P1 offers almost unimaginable possibilities. For me as a project manager, it is important to be able to rely on a reliable printer and not have to give up support and service. Since Espace^® is already in use anyway, synergies also arise, so no additional program has to be purchased to create the 3D models and the operation is familiar, which enables a timely start without long training cycles. Together with the Power User Days a coherent concept that once again speaks for ESplan^®.

To familiarize yourself with the printer, the following door stopper was first printed. In principle, this was very easy, first create a 3D model in Espace^® where the wedge can be easily drawn with the Boolean operators. Then insert the lettering and position it at the correct angle. As usual, not even the angle functions are necessary if you use ESplan^® and measure the angle. Now simply give the print command and place in the Repetier host the door stopper. The slicer splits the model into the layers to be printed and after setting the parameters for the printer, printing can start – here the result …

After the first print attempt worked without any problems, which was certainly also possible thanks to the comfortable “Auto bed leveling” (a clear advantage over other 3D printers), there was nothing standing in the way of the next model. For the circuit breakers installed, it is sometimes necessary to use a very long axis, which hangs down after the installation of our systems. To counteract this behavior, EATON manufactures a bracket in the workshop from Pertinax panels. An idea to standardize here and to minimize the manufacturing effort is to use a plastic holder – so the first prototype was drawn in Espace^® and printed:

In this 3D model, the full height of the 3D printer was used – again, there were no problems. The pictures speak for themselves. What impressed me very much was the quick start and easy handling with high dimensional accuracy. And the model printed in one piece!

The successes of the first few days have made me courageous and so I have ventured on a somewhat complicated model whose idea I have been thinking for some time. Our Ex-e housings (the housings in which the components are encapsulated) are basically a modular system that can be extended as desired:

A connection set is required to connect the enclosures: however, such a connection set is only available from size 2 onwards. Since a connection kit for the size 1 case would also be a good supplement for one or the other solution approach, I often had the idea to include such a connection set in our portfolio. EATON generally offers great opportunities to bring in such ideas, although it makes more sense to look at how this looks in reality. As often ask questions such as “can I get the necessary wiring and introduced” and fit the brackets of the flanges on my design. -> Especially here is the 3D printer an absolute asset. So why ask yourself the questions, if you can easily find answers? So I created a 3D model and reprinted it.

And also this pressure succeeded immediately. The result is impressive and also so strong that it can withstand an assembly and thus the desired test can be carried out. With a roll of filament beating at € 20 and the professional 3D printer, which also has low acquisition costs, prototyping is possible at a low cost. This saves time, money and you can do studies pretty quickly and make statements or weigh in how far a new design part makes sense or not.

PDF-Download: User Report from Eaton – Theme 3D Print