|
One of the largest international manufacturers of automotive manufacturing productionsystems, FFT EDAG Produktionssysteme GmbH & Co. KG, is currently building a module systemin the EPLAN Engineering Center (EEC) for cross-disciplinary constructions of these highlycomplex systems.
FFT EDAG Produktionssysteme
FFT EDAG Produktionssysteme GmbH & Co. KG in Fulda is one of the largest international manufacturers of production systems for automotive manufacturing and other sectors of the mobility industry, such as aeronautical engineering: FFT EDAG systems weld or bond bodyshells together, assemble vehicle modules or calibrate the finished systems and modules. For the electrical engineering of highly sophisticated systems, FFT EDAG uses EPLAN to build them in an impressive 10,000 m2 plant floor first and only after a dry run and customer acceptance, installs them on-site. This is because a great majority of customers inthe automotive industry also use EPLAN.
Special machine construction with a particular degree of difficulty
Every FFT EDAG customer works with their own specifications that are so extensive that it takes a lot of experience to master and implement them, both in terms of the components that are to be used and the preparation of drawings and documentation. This means: there is no uniform FFT EDAG standard; adaptation to the customers’ wishes is part of every project. Klaus Apel, Head of Engineering Project Management: "We have specialists for every customer with expert knowledge of the manufacturer’s specifications.”
Desire for standardization
How can standardization be achieved under these particular circumstances and despite the many customerspecific requirements, in order to optimize process quality? The electrical construction hardware development department has tackled this question over the past year, focusing mainly on CAE systems that can fulfill these tasks - including the EPLAN Engineering Center (EEC).
EEC: modular system for cross-disciplinary construction
At the EEC, the designer can rely on the modules defined there. These modules go far beyond pure electrical construction and EPLAN 5: other CAD/CAE tools such as M-CAD systems or PLC programming systems may also be used to create the individual modules. During construction, all the designer has to do is select the modules he needs and define project-specific parameters. If the user defines individual regulations for the EEC, these parameter values can even be calculated automatically. As the functional modules are described in cross-disciplinary fashion, all available information is transparent and universal, avoiding double entries and inconsistencies in data management. At the same time, the designer profits from a new working method: he uses function-oriented, module-based engineering.
Successful pilot project
After presentation of the EEC by EPLAN Software & Service, the management quickly decided on a pilot project and the first macros were defined jointly with EPLAN consultants. Patrik Möller, responsible within FFT EDAG Hardware Construction for the implementation of the EEC project: "Our goal was the electrical representation of various subsections within smaller projects such as electro-pneumatic valve clusters on devices for welding systems in bodyshellwork.”
The first step: an OEM-specific library
After the successful completion of the pilot project, the EEC’s reach was extended to other components such as terminal boxes for tools and drives, remaining initially at the level of individual customer specifications. This means, for example, that modules for terminal boxes were defined according to Ford, BMW or VW specifications. Based on the excellent results in hardware construction, the next step was the reproduction of a second discipline in the EEC. The pneumatic element of the valve clusters was chosen for this step. Patrik Möller: "As electrical equipment and pneumatics are pretty much based on the same data in this subsection, we were able to instantly achieve extensive synergies.”
The goal: customer-independent modules as construction basis
Customer-specific modules make work much easier for electrical engineers, who now have a virtual stock of parts to use when they are constructing a valve cluster or terminal box. FFT EDAG, however, is pursuing an even greater goal: in the next step, modules are to be configured independent of any specifications. What does this mean for construction? Systems will initially be constructed independent of any specifications, with these being added automatically afterwards as far as possible. Klaus Apel: "If this goal is realized, work on projects will be much more flexible and no longer dependent on the knowledge of individual employees. Furthermore, it would be possible to define a unified quality standard on a construction basis.”
‘Work in progress’
The project leaders realize that this long-term goal cannot be achieved overnight – but they are convinced that their investment in this project will pay off. It is for this reason that FFT EDAG is pressing ahead with modularization with the EEC and can therefore count on the support of EPLAN Software & Service. Klaus Apel: "The Cooperation with EPLAN in the individual configuration of the system is excellent: we are working out together what is right for our individual purposes and are gradually making use of all the advantages of the EEC.” It is not just electrical engineering that is being considered here, but software as well: modules are also to be defined for PLC programming and filed at the EPLAN Engineering Center.
|
