Systematic production with Rittal

This success isn’t down to a new machine alone. According to Meurer: “If we decide to invest in a machine, all processes need to be examined, planning needs to be dealt with rationally and at the end all data has to be consistent.” In his company today, customers first place an order for a specific type of enclosure with the relevant options. The electrical engineering work is then carried out in Eplan P8. Finally, Eplan Pro Panel software is used to create the 3D enclosure layout known as the digital twin. This software tool provides all the information and drawings relevant for manufacturing, and transfers this data to both the Perforex for machining the enclosure parts and the cable and wire processing machines, which churn out ready-to-use cable harnesses complete with a label and clear marking. The Eplan engineering tools, which constitute the “brain” behind the enclosure production process, so to speak, ensure design and engineering tasks are carried out quickly, accurately and reliably – right from the get-go. As the steps involved are automated and to a certain extent completed simultaneously, Meurer-etechnik employees are often able to start assembling and wiring an enclosure just hours after receiving the order.

Rittal as a partner – including for future projects

Meurer-etechnik has completely reorganised its engineering, work preparation and production processes. None of the components now stand on their own and all workflows are interconnected to form a system. End-to-end solutions also offer the opportunity to boost productivity and efficiency across all aspects of product creation. This isn’t about making a particular individual improvement to achieve a linear increase in one aspect. It’s more that the intertwining of various improvements results in an exponential increase of overall efficiency. As Meurer-etechnik shows, this can deliver significant, measurable added value. According the company’s Managing Director: “Purchasing the CNC machining centre combined with Eplan was exactly what we needed. In fact, it was a critical decision.” 

In Meurer’s opinion, investing in new technology is about more than just purchasing a machine or plant. “And you mustn’t make the mistake of setting an investment in isolation against the payback period,” he says. Instead, businesses need to look at the bigger picture and recognise that improvements are a constant work in progress. Meurer-etechnik is now focused on reviewing its stock levels, material flow, and the time-consuming activities at the clamping workstation. Rittal is able to lend a hand here, too. “We have always found the advice given to be coherent and logical, and the collaboration has been impeccable,” says Meurer. As soon as his schedule allows, he will undertake further system optimizations together with Rittal.