Large projects, different languages and country-specific standards are not a problem with the E-CAD system EPLAN 5. Since the design department at printing press manufacturers Kochsiek started using the EPLAN 5 system, the Westphalian company hasdiscovered its multiple talents for drafting, project planning and drawing electrical engineering diagrams. International standardisation requirements and foreign language labels are generated by EPLAN at the push of a button: it’s fast, neat, and conforms to the required standards.
Ingo Niehage has been using the E-CAD system EPLAN 5.30 for twelve months. Niehage, a data processing engineer at machine manufacturers Wilhelm Kochsiek GmbH in Leopoldshöhe, still enthuses over how easy it was to get to grips with the Windows-based software: „Particularly users who draw circuit diagrams on a daily basis will find EPLAN very easy to use", explains Ingo Niehage, who was particularly impressed by the clear user prompting, scroll bars in the circuit diagram editor, and toolbars with icons for many modules. All DIN symbols such as switches and contactors are included with EPLAN as standard. For time-saving project planning, the user simply stores the specific data record of a switch from manufacturer X. A unique seven-digit item number provides the Kochsiek purchasing department with the required data.
Another benefit, according to Niehage, is the fact that documents can be displayed in PDF format under EPLAN: „This enables our installation engineers to load the current plans onto their notebooks, so that the latest diagrams are always to hand whether they are in the workshop, carrying out servicing work, or at the construction site during commissioning".

Online translation of the wiring schematic
Another impressive feature of EPLAN, according to Niehage, is the fact that, „When exporting plants to the USA, we can easily translate the German wiring schematic into the American version to the required JIC standard at the click of a mouse". „In the past, that kind of work was contracted out, which was not only very expensive, but also time-consuming and often less than perfect", reports the IT expert. As an export-oriented company, Kochsiek appreciates EPLAN's multi-lingual support and online translation feature. 

Create multi-lingual diagrams for major projects
E-CAD keeps pace with on-going advancements at the design offices of machinery manufacturers Wilhelm Kochsiek. Almost ten years ago, Thomas Rehmsmeier, Head of Information Technology and Plant Organisation at Kochsiek, decided to purchase an entry-level CAE system. His intention was to use modern documentation structures to support the highly com-plex production of customised machinery with its constant design improvements. „At that time, manual creation of the drawings and diagrams was no longer feasible for financial reasons alone, not to mention the risks of handling errors", asserts the Kochsiek expert.
Ingo Niehage, data processing engi-neer in the electrical design department responsible for the drafting of wiring schematics for customised printing presses, now has four EPLAN workstations. His tasks include the design and project management of the electrical equipment and control technology. The mechanical designers supply Ingo Niehage with an Excel list containing the required motors, valves and safety equipment for a plant. This provides him with all the data he needs to design an electrical circuit diagram for the machine using EPLAN. 

Powerful and easy to use
EPLAN fulfils all of Niehage’s requirements, including simple handling, an extensive catalogue of components, and databases for various PLC processors. The latter allows the user to freely define which data is exported to or imported from a PLC. The automatic cross-referencing of potentials is also a great help to the Kochsiek designer, especially compared to the old system. „In the past, it took me hours, not to mention being a very fiddly job", reports Niehage on the complex process of cross-referencing. These days, it is no trouble at all, because the cross-reference list encompasses all pages. With up to 1,500 circuit diagram pages for each project, the benefits are obvious. 
Niehage also highlights the fact that EPLAN can be seamlessly incorporated into any Windows environment, and supports the use of drivers and resources for graphics, printing and input devices. 

Data updates via e-mail provide additional customer benefits
Direct data exchange via e-mail to anywhere in the world in the event of modifications or plant conversions is a key component of active customer support and product liability. The original documentation only contains notes of the coordination dialogue. „Our documents show exactly what is in the machine", says Niehage, explaining the reasoning behind this approach. Working with EPLAN has prompted a growing trend towards paperless plans. „In the past, customers always wanted the plans in triplicate - these could fill up to 12 ring binders, depending on the machine model", recalls Niehage. 
Now, however, one copy is generally sufficient, and increasing numbers of customers prefer to receive their documentation on CD. In case of updates, they are simply sent a new CD version.The archiving of machine plans is also straightforward. „With individual modifications, there is no need to recreate the expertise from scratch each time", exclaims Ingo Niehage with relief. „We are also working towards similar designs  for as many add-ons as possible, so as to simplify preparation of the plans". 

Wilhelm Kochsiek, machinery manufacturers
Wilhelm Kochsiek GmbH of Leopoldshöhe has been producing customised machinery for the graphics industry since 1956. With a turn-over of more than EURO 50 million, the core product range of this Westphalian company centres around high-performance rotogravure presses and flexographic presses with advanced servo drive technology.

Last edited: 2002-07-16 14:47