igus is adding 2,046 new macros to the EPLAN circuit diagram software
EPLAN update for readycable cables that are compatible with Allen Bradley, Beckhoff, B&R, Heidenhain, and Fanuc
18 AUGUST 2022 – igus®, a world leader in motion plastics and moving cable management systems, announced the company is publishing 2,046 new macros for the EPLAN planning software.
To make the digital creation of circuit diagrams even more effective, igus is publishing 2,046 new macros for the EPLAN planning software. The addition now also allows pre-assembled readycable cables to be visualized in the software within seconds. The cables are compatible with drive components from Siemens, SEW-EURODRIVE, and Bosch Rexroth, and those from Allen Bradley, Beckhoff, B&R, Heidenhain, and Fanuc.
Mechanical and plant engineering daily routine: control cabinet project planning is on the agenda. It is a task that more and more engineers are accelerating with digital tools. Particularly popular and now an industry standard: EPLAN Electric P8 – planning software for creating circuit and plant diagrams.
One of the reasons for its popularity is an online database called EPLAN Data Portal. Here, component manufacturers store so-called macros for their products – building blocks in a uniform data format that can be dragged and dropped into the digital circuit diagram – without any adjustment effort. The tool supports plant design, from end-to-end planning to production, commissioning, maintenance, and repair.
Engineers save up to 50% of the time needed for electrical design
“Thanks to the EPLAN Electric P8 CAE software with its consistent, manufacturer-independent database, engineers save up to 50% of the time needed for electrical design. This is a real boost for the automation era, one we would like to support,” says Markus Hüffel, Product Manager of readychain® and readycable® at igus. “We have therefore decided to expand the EPLAN Data Portal, adding 2,046 new macros for pre-assembled readycable cables that are compatible with automation technology from Allen Bradley, Beckhoff, B&R, Heidenhain, and Fanuc.”
Macros for cables for Siemens, SEW-EURODRIVE, and Bosch Rexroth were already available.
“We hope this update offers designers around the world even more options for economical automation solutions,” Hüffel continued.
Macros allow quick, intuitive visualization
The path to the new macros is open. Engineers can select the suitable pre-assembled cable for their e-chain from the readycable range in the igus online shop – one of over 5,000 ready-to-connect signal, encoder, servo, motor, or drive cables. Any EPLAN macro stored for this cable can be downloaded in seconds via a link to the EPLAN Data Portal and used in the planning software. The macro allows such actions as visualizing the cable, including pin assignment and core identification, and linking it to components from other manufacturers in the circuit diagram, as quickly and intuitively as in a computer game. The cables used for online ordering can also be automatically summarized in a parts list.
Learn more about igus readycable cable assemblies here: https://www.igus.com/info/readycable
