FläktGroup / EXCELLENCE IN SOLUTIONS /
User Report – Product Configurator:
The company FläktGroup manufactures products from the field of air, climate and filter technology, as well as process air cooling, at several internationally distributed production sites. The task of achieving a high degree of automation and standardization in the documentation of our electrical systems required a partner who supported us with a comprehensive software solution. The requirement profile ranged from the creation of circuit diagrams, the preparation of construction plans to the form output. The objective was to be able to implement a generic circuit diagram largely automated on the basis of known data.
With ESplan®, we have found a partner who not only covers this profile, but also reacts quickly to new requirements.
The integration of the scripting language LUA and the execution of logfiles enables us to automatically generate schematics for our standardized product groups. For this purpose, a web-based design tool was created. This supports sales directly in the product selection and, in addition to design texts, also generates PLC configuration files up to the log files of the circuit diagrams. Thanks to the simple instruction sets provided by ESplan®, no in-depth programming knowledge is required. Thus, all the logic needed to create circuit diagrams can be created and maintained by our electrical engineering department. These log files then generate the wiring diagram including the 3D structure and the necessary forms such as the cable plan, terminal diagram and parts lists.
The inputs and outputs of the PLC used can also be assigned automatically.
The system is based on a comprehensive 2D and 3D macro library, which is managed centrally for all our sites. The translation of Schalplanon is also implemented directly by the log files and a language database integrated in ESplan®. Thus, for our sales department it is possible to offer the customer a circuit diagram for our standard portfolio within minutes of the project planning. In addition, adjustments and changes, which are necessary again and again in fast-paced project business, can also be implemented later by our application engineering team.
For non-standardized products, we have created an easy to maintain configurator on the same basis.
This allows us to create a basic circuit diagram by selecting the required functions, which may be extended manually if necessary. The consistent compatibility guarantees that even older projects can be adapted at any time. Developments such as an intended wiring harness editor will help drive automation further in the future and, due to the existing data, allow a relatively simple integration into already existing processes. ESplan® specifically addresses the needs of its customers. As a logical next step, we will also produce our R & I schemas with ESplan®. For this purpose, own macro libraries are created. Due to the cross-engineering configuration of the ESplan®, the existing command sets can be used afterwards to integrate this functionality.
PDF-Download: User report by FläktGroup – theme product configuration