Mr. Menzel, can you start by explaining in your own words what exactly Eplan Cable proD is?

Lukas Menzel: The name Cable proD refers to a 3D software solution that Eplan has designed specifically for machine cabling. This plugs a significant gap. You see, just as machines can already be planned perfectly using their digital twin, this software now finally also makes digital cable planning possible.

What are the drawbacks of manual cable planning, then?

Lukas Menzel: Often susceptible to errors, planning cables “by hand” is also almost always both time-consuming and costly. The cables can be too short, too long or – worse still – located incorrectly, and dealing with this can involve a great deal of outlay. Resulting interfering signals can cause malfunctions that are difficult to pinpoint and therefore ultimately delay the commissioning of important new machines.

What are the advantages of digital planning?

Lukas Menzel: Our customers utilise the 3D software to create a digital twin just for the machine cabling. Their design engineers use this to plan the appropriate cable routes that they would otherwise need to define on the physical prototype. The information provided by the digital twin about the necessary cable length is available much sooner than in the case of traditional manual cable planning and, most importantly of all, it is accurate. That makes the planning work far more efficient. The interfaces to all standard mechanical CAD tools are another big advantage, enabling data to be input in its original format and output in the universal data format.

How exactly is the susceptibility to errors reduced?

Lukas Menzel: One key example of the added value of our digital solution is that design engineers can complete their cable planning much sooner and can spend the extra time sourcing pre-assembled cables. These can then be installed using the plug & play principle, which rules out incorrectly connected wires, eliminates any current leakage and avoids time-consuming reworking in production. Being able to share the digital cable planning details with the mechanical team means cables fit into the machines and installation spaces with one hundred percent reliability. What’s more, the integrated HTML viewer helps ensure cables from series machines always follow the same route through the machine, with the result that the planned lengths are right and there are no nasty surprises during servicing.

How flexible is the software in everyday use?

Lukas Menzel: If a machine has to be rearranged or converted – or is made two metres longer, for example – it’s quick and easy for design engineers to replan using the digital twin. This takes a matter of minutes. Fully planned modules of completed orders can also be reused and combined in any way you want.

Do you need much experience to use Eplan Cable proD?

Lukas Menzel: Not at all. Given that, generally speaking, planning a machine’s cable routes isn’t a daily task for users, we have made sure that even customers who only use the software occasionally can quickly achieve the results they are looking for. Our pilot customers have confirmed that it is very intuitive.

What about digital continuity and sharing data?

Lukas Menzel: The data from wiring schematics and the 3D enclosure layout can be taken over directly and simply positioned on the 3D mechanical model, for instance. Users can also avoid the need to export data by taking over assemblies from traditional mechanical CAD systems in their native format. This speeds up the project and prevents data discontinuity. The HTML viewer enables users to share the 3D cabling information very flexibly, whether within their team or with customers. As a result, everyone involved gets a proper overview at an early stage in the planning process.