Userguide EPLAN Cabinet En

User Guide Version 1.9 05/2008

EPLAN Cabinet is a product of EPLAN Software & Service GmbH & Co. KG. Errors and omissions excepted. Subject to change without notice. EPLAN Software & Service GmbH accepts no liability for any technical or printing error or defect in this technical information document or for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly through the provision or use hereof. This document contains proprietary information subject to copyright. All rights reserved. This document shall not, except with the prior written consent of EPLAN Software & Service GmbH & Co. KG, be passed on, duplicated or translated in whole or part. The software described by this document is licensed. Use and duplication of the software are exclusively governed by the licence. The EPLAN Cabinet licence cannot be used independently of the associated dongle. Loss of the dongle automatically entails loss of the licence. The graphics in this document were created with the complete software package and do not reflect the capabilities of individual modules. Copyright © 2008 by EPLAN Software & Service GmbH & Co. KG. Windows ® / Windows 2000 ® / Windows XP ® / Windows Vista ® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Inc. ACIS® is a registered trademark of SPATIAL TECHNOLOGY INC. D-Cubed 3D DCM is a registered trademark of Siemens Product

Lifecycle Management Software III (GB) Ltd. RITTAL® is a registered trademark of Rittal Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co. KG Note:

The hardware requirements stated by your operating system vendor apply. Combinations of hardware components that may give rise to compatibilities according to producer’s information may also impair the proper functioning of EPLAN Cabinet, which requires a fault-free system with all hardware, operating system components and hardware drivers (graphics adapter drivers etc.) properly installed. The information on ambient operating conditions and permitted use stated by hardware manufacturers applies by extension to EPLAN Cabinet.

Contents

EPLAN Cabinet system principles ------------------------- 1 Creating and editing projects and drawings ----------- 2 Activating and displaying components ------------------ 3 Placing and modifying enclosures ------------------------ 4 Placing and modifying structural components-------- 5 Placing and modifying devices ----------------------------- 6 Project and system organization--------------------------- 7 Output from EPLAN Cabinet--------------------------------- 8 Routing-------------------------------------------------------------- 9 Drilling NC --------------------------------------------------------10 Graphical editor -------------------------------------------------11 Creating standard sheets ------------------------------------12 Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database -----------------------------------------------------------13 Creating and using graphical macros -------------------14 User-defined drilling contours -----------------------------15 Creating and using variable rails--------------------------16

Index ---------------------------------------------------------------- 16

EPLAN Cabinet system principles

1

EPLAN Cabinet system principles.............................. 1-2

1.1

Starting EPLAN Cabinet ............................................................ 1-2

1.2

EPLAN Cabinet toolbars............................................................ 1-3

1.2.1 1.2.2 1.2.3 1.2.4 1.2.5 1.2.6 1.2.7 1.2.8 1.2.9 1.2.10 1.2.11

File toolbar .............................................................................................. 1-4 Components toolbar ............................................................................... 1-5 View toolbar ............................................................................................ 1-6 Edit toolbar.............................................................................................. 1-7 Create toolbar ......................................................................................... 1-8 Information, Organization and Security toolbar ...................................... 1-9 Output toolbar ....................................................................................... 1-10 Viewpoints toolbar ................................................................................ 1-11 Views toolbar ........................................................................................ 1-12 Tools toolbar ..................................................................................... 1-13 Elements toolbar ............................................................................... 1-14

1.3

EPLAN Cabinet menu bar........................................................ 1-15

1.4

Navigator................................................................................... 1-16

1.4.1 1.4.2 1.4.3 1.4.4

EPLAN Cabinet Navigator node ........................................................... 1-18 Searching in the Navigator ................................................................... 1-19 Navigator bookmarks............................................................................ 1-19 Minimizing the Navigator ...................................................................... 1-20

1.5

Selecting commands in EPLAN Cabinet................................ 1-21

1.6

Mouse input .............................................................................. 1-22

1.6.1 1.6.2 1.6.3

Picking with the mouse ......................................................................... 1-22 Entering points with the mouse............................................................. 1-23 Mouse stroke input ............................................................................... 1-24 1.6.3.1 Stroke movements without holding ............................................ 1-25 1.6.3.2 Stroke and hold movements ...................................................... 1-26

1.7

Freehand symbols.................................................................... 1-27

1.8

Undo .......................................................................................... 1-30

1.9

Redo .......................................................................................... 1-30

EPLAN Cabinet

1-1

EPLAN Cabinet system principles Starting EPLAN Cabinet

1 EPLAN Cabinet system principles 1.1 Starting EPLAN Cabinet

To start EPLAN Cabinet, double-click its program icon. The EPLAN Cabinet program window opens with a menu bar and a number of toolbars.

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EPLAN Cabinet

EPLAN Cabinet system principles EPLAN Cabinet toolbars

1.2 EPLAN Cabinet toolbars EPLAN Cabinet works through menu and toolbar commands. The toolbars group commands by function: •

File (project and drawing commands)

•

Components

•

View (display options)

•

Edit (modify components)

•

Create (Cabinet templates, mounting areas, user-defined components)

•

Information, Organization and Security (device, database and parts list options)

•

Output (Printing and DXF output of drawings and parts lists)

•

Viewpoints, views, elements and tools

Opening toolbars To show a toolbar that is not currently displayed, right-click a toolbar or the grey toolbar region and choose Toolbars on the context menu that then opens. You can then select from a list of all toolbars that opens to the right of the menu. If the list is too long for all toolbars to be displayed, use the arrows at the top and bottom to view the remainder. The ticked toolbars are already displayed. Holding the cursor over a ticked toolbar in the list highlights it on the screen. Selecting an unticked toolbar in the list displays it.

Hiding toolbars In the list Select a ticked toolbar to hide it. On the menu Right-click a toolbar and choose Hide in the context menu. The toolbar will then be removed from the screen. "Close" button An "undocked" toolbar has a Windows title bar, complete with a close button, [x], which can be used to hide it.

EPLAN Cabinet

1-3

EPLAN Cabinet system principles EPLAN Cabinet toolbars

1.2.1 File toolbar

Commands on the File toolbar, from left to right: Create and edit project Open drawing Save drawing Close drawing Picklist Exit EPLAN Cabinet Exit command Undo last change Restore last undone change

1-4

EPLAN Cabinet

EPLAN Cabinet system principles EPLAN Cabinet toolbars

1.2.2 Components toolbar

Commands on the Components toolbar, from left to right: Open device browser and place device Insert universal part Place mounting rail Place duct Place cable clamp rail Place busbar system Select and place Enclosure from database Place mounting panel Place free mounting panel Place free component Place user-defined component Place user-defined holes

EPLAN Cabinet

1-5

EPLAN Cabinet system principles EPLAN Cabinet toolbars

1.2.3 View toolbar

Commands on the View toolbar, from left to right: Activate component and rotate into view, hiding other components Switch to ISO view Activate component Switch to Enclosure views Enable zoom (select a detail for viewing) Disable zoom (display entire drawing) Zoom in (150%) Zoom out (75%) Reposition text Display device tag labels Display item number labels Enable shading Disable shading Refresh hidden lines Delete hidden lines

1-6

EPLAN Cabinet

EPLAN Cabinet system principles EPLAN Cabinet toolbars Set grid Rotate view

1.2.4 Edit toolbar

Commands on the Edit toolbar, from left to right: Copy Enclosure Change device placement Move device Move Enclosures, ducts and rails Change length of ducts and rails Change project structure Delete

EPLAN Cabinet

1-7

EPLAN Cabinet system principles EPLAN Cabinet toolbars

1.2.5 Create toolbar

Commands on the Create toolbar, from left to right: Create Enclosure template from drawing Define mounting area Create custom enclosure components

1-8

EPLAN Cabinet

EPLAN Cabinet system principles EPLAN Cabinet toolbars

1.2.6 Information, Organization and Security toolbar

Commands on the Information, Organization and Security toolbar, from left to right: Device information Place blocking surface Check drawing: Find surplus devices Renumber components Parts database Update parts data Update project parts list Change project assignment Parameter settings

EPLAN Cabinet

1-9

EPLAN Cabinet system principles EPLAN Cabinet toolbars

1.2.7 Output toolbar

Commands on the Output toolbar from left to right: Print drawing Graphical DXF export to EPLAN/file Evaluations configuration Generate evaluations

1-10

EPLAN Cabinet

EPLAN Cabinet system principles EPLAN Cabinet toolbars

1.2.8 Viewpoints toolbar

Commands on the Viewpoints toolbar from left to right: Top view Bottom view Front view Rear view Left view Right view Isometric view

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1-11

EPLAN Cabinet system principles EPLAN Cabinet toolbars

1.2.9 Views toolbar

Commands on the Views toolbar from left to right: Create view Move view Centre view Resize view Fit geometry to view size Delete view

1-12

EPLAN Cabinet

EPLAN Cabinet system principles EPLAN Cabinet toolbars

1.2.10 Tools toolbar

Commands on the Tools toolbar from left to right: Measure Insert OLE object Configuration NC configuration Wire make-up configuration Graphical editor

EPLAN Cabinet

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EPLAN Cabinet system principles EPLAN Cabinet toolbars

1.2.11 Elements toolbar

Commands on the Tools toolbar from left to right: Line Circle Rectangle Dimensioning Text Auxiliary line Center line Place symbol

1-14

EPLAN Cabinet

EPLAN Cabinet system principles EPLAN Cabinet menu bar

1.3 EPLAN Cabinet menu bar All EPLAN Cabinet commands can also be accessed in a menu bar. If a different menu bar is active when you start EPLAN Cabinet, click the Options menu, choose Menu Bar, select "EPLAN Cabinet" and click [OK] to install the EPLAN Cabinet menu bar.

The menus are arranged to match the toolbars, and the commands on each menu match those on the corresponding toolbar.

EPLAN Cabinet

1-15

EPLAN Cabinet system principles Navigator

1.4 Navigator The Navigator is the control centre of EPLAN Cabinet. It lists all parts of projects, drawing elements, viewpoints and views. The Navigator can be used to select, display and edit parts of a drawing. The context menus are described with the command they apply to. Features: •

Each drawing that is opened for editing has its own separate Navigator.

•

The Navigator is activated automatically when a drawing is opened.

•

The Navigator works with all drawings, in both 2D and 3D.

•

All changes to a drawing are simultaneously shown in the Navigator.

Hierarchical display The information displayed in the Navigator is structured in a series of levels making up a hierarchy. If there is a level beneath an item, a [+] or [-] is displayed next to it. An item with one or more levels beneath it is a node. As in Windows Explorer, the tree beneath a node can be expanded by clicking the [+] and collapsed again by clicking the [-].

Using the Navigator with two or more drawings If two or more drawings are active on the same screen, they are each displayed on different tabs in the Navigator. Clicking a drawing's tab in the Navigator switches to that drawing.

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EPLAN Cabinet

EPLAN Cabinet system principles Navigator

Undocking the Navigator Clicking the blank area above the tabs undocks the Navigator, and you can move it around the screen. If the Navigator shows multiple drawings, one Navigator window is displayed for each drawing. Double-click the blank area or the title bar of a Navigator window to dock it again.

Context menus Select a node or an item under a node and right-click to open a context menu with commands specific to the type of item you have selected.

EPLAN Cabinet

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EPLAN Cabinet system principles Navigator

1.4.1 EPLAN Cabinet Navigator node The EPLAN Cabinet project is shown in the Navigator under a separate node with a red e icon. Right-click the icon to open a context menu with the main view and project commands.

The component nodes further down the tree also have context menus: Enclosure node

Cabinet component node

Component layer node

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EPLAN Cabinet

EPLAN Cabinet system principles Navigator

1.4.2 Searching in the Navigator The Search command in the Navigator finds text anywhere in the Navigator, for example names of parts and solids. Search button The usual search options are available: •

Whole word only

•

Match case

•

Direction

•

Search again

1.4.3 Navigator bookmarks Navigator bookmarks are nodes that are marked and named for easy navigation between them. Setting a bookmark Click this button to assign a bookmark to a node. The node changes colour. Editing bookmarks Click this button to open the Edit Bookmarks dialogue, with option to: •

Delete a bookmark (select it and click the Delete button)

•

Delete all bookmarks (click the Delete All button)

•

Display bookmarks (double-click the Display button)

•

Rename bookmarks (click a bookmark twice or click the Edit Name button) Deleting a bookmark

Click this button to delete the selected bookmark. Next/previous bookmark Click this button to select the next or previous bookmark in the Navigator and the corresponding element in the drawing.

EPLAN Cabinet

1-19

EPLAN Cabinet system principles Navigator

1.4.4 Minimizing the Navigator You can minimize the Navigator to make space for drawing windows. Double-click the drawing name tab at the bottom of the Navigator to reduce it to about a quarter of its normal height. You can then resize the Navigator like a normal window by dragging its sides or corners, and can move it by dragging its title bar. Double-click the drawing name tab again or the title bar to restore the Navigator to normal size and return it to the left-hand side of the screen.

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EPLAN Cabinet

EPLAN Cabinet system principles Selecting commands in EPLAN Cabinet

1.5 Selecting commands in EPLAN Cabinet Various ways of selecting commands are described in this manual. Commands selected on a toolbar or in a main menu are shown as follows: EPLAN Cabinet

File

Project Wizard

Project Wizard Left: Command on a toolbar

Right: Command on a menu

The name of the toolbar is shown above the icon, to the right of which is the name of the command.

The name of the menu bar is shown above a symbol for a menu bar, to the right of which is the name of the command.

Commands selected from secondary parts of the user interface such as dialogues are shown as follows: Project Wizard | Create a new Enclosure project Project Wizard | Create new project

Selecting commands in the Navigator Commands that are only available on context menus in the Navigator are shown with a Navigator symbol:

Enclosure node | Cabinet dimensions

Using freehand symbols to select commands A freehand symbol is a way of selecting a command by moving the mouse in a specific figure with the left mouse button pressed down. If a commands can additionally be selected with a freehand symbol, the figure is shown:

Project Wizard

EPLAN Cabinet

1-21

EPLAN Cabinet system principles Mouse input

1.6 Mouse input

1.6.1 Picking with the mouse The basic mouse input commands are as follows: •

Tap mouse button

•

Press and hold

•

Press and stroke

•

Press plus stroke and then hold

•

Double-click

•

Right-click

•

Middle mouse button (if present)

•

Mouse wheel (if present)

EPLAN Cabinet supplements the usual Windows selection methods such as tapping an element with two additional method: "search" and "stroke".

Search •

Place the cursor near to the point you want.

•

Press and briefly hold down the mouse button.

The cursor jumps exactly onto the point.

Stroke (Ctrl-tap) To stroke an element, "paint" it with a downward motion of the mouse while holding the mouse button pressed down. 1 2

3

1) Press, 2) Drag, 3) Release

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EPLAN Cabinet

EPLAN Cabinet system principles Mouse input

1.6.2 Entering points with the mouse Entering a point To enter a point in your drawing, tap at the location where you want the point.

Search for a point For drawing commands, you can use a point that already exists in a drawing as a start or end point: •

Move the cursor near to the point you want

•

Briefly hold the mouse button pressed down

The cursor will now jump to precisely the point you want. The system detects the difference between tapping and prolonged pressing through a internal time factor.

EPLAN Cabinet

1-23

EPLAN Cabinet system principles Mouse input

1.6.3 Mouse stroke input A variety of commands can be selected using stroke movements. The simplest of these patterns are strokes in the four primary directions: •

Up

•

Down

•

Left

•

Right

A different command will be selected depending on whether you carry out this movement with a stroke and a brief press, or keep the mouse button pressed down for a short period after the stroke movement.

Icons in user manuals In these user manual, mouse movements are indicated by a line. The direction is shown with an arrow. For a stroke-and-hold movement, the solid circle is replaced by an arrow. The illustration shows the possible stroke movements and the commands they select. Stroke movements without holding are shown on the left, and stroke and hold movements on the right. Parameters Parameter Manager

Start again Yes Return OK

UNDO No Pick

1-24

EPLAN Cabinet

Delete

Line

Pick reference point

EPLAN Cabinet system principles Mouse input

1.6.3.1 Stroke movements without holding

Element This movement is mainly used for picking elements and is known as "stroking" an element. Use it to pick an element in a drawing that you want to manipulate, measure or continue editing. To perform the stroke movement, press near the element and stroke down over it.

Start Again An upwards stroke will restart the last command you selected. Start Again works with all EPLAN Cabinet commands. Example: You want to draw a number of lines next to one another. Select the Line command by tapping on the digitizer. Enter the start point and one or more end points until the set of lines is finished. If you now want to draw a further set of lines next to the first set, it is much quicker to draw an upward stroke than to reselect the Line command. The upward stroke restarts the last command you selected.

Undo/No Stroke left while applying slight pressure to select the Undo command, which reverses your last action. EPLAN Cabinet stores up to 50 actions that you can undo in sequence by using this command. You can undo any drawing operation and any move, copy, cut or delete. The leftward stroke also saves you stopping to type "no" on the keyboard when prompted.

EPLAN Cabinet

1-25

EPLAN Cabinet system principles Mouse input

Yes/Return/OK Stroking to the right is equivalent to clicking [OK] and is used to enter "yes" or confirm a prompt.

1.6.3.2 Stroke and hold movements Strokes of this type are performed in the same way as strokes without holding, but end by briefly holding down the mouse button.

Picking a reference point To choose a reference point, stroke down near the point you want and then briefly hold down the mouse button. The program leaves normal point-input mode for the duration of one input. You can then specify a new point by specifying its distance in X and Y from the reference point. You can use this command wherever point input is allowed. A pair of X and Y direction arrows appears at the point found. You can then enter a pair of coordinates relative to this reference point, and continue drawing at the point defined by the coordinates. If the coordinate cross appears at a point that is not the one you want to use as a reference point, specify the point you want by using the normal point input method. The reference point must be one that already exists in your drawing.

Parameters In some drawing functions, stroke up and then briefly hold down the mouse button to select the parameters command. A dialogue box opens with parameters for the current command. The system settings will appear if no command is active.

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EPLAN Cabinet

EPLAN Cabinet system principles Freehand symbols

Delete Stroke left and briefly hold down the mouse button to select the Delete command.

Line Stroke right and briefly hold down the mouse button to select the Line command.

1.7 Freehand symbols EPLAN Cabinet recognizes a number of gestures that select important commands. With a little practice, these "freehand symbols" help speed up your work and also allow you to do most work with one hand. The symbols match the commands they select, making them easy to remember.

Freehand symbols without holding To draw the freehand symbols shown with arrows, briefly press the mouse button in the direction of the arrow. Then release the mouse button. Two arrows indicate that a symbol can be drawn in either direction.

Freehand symbols with holding To draw the freehand symbols shown with dots, hold down the mouse button a little longer at the dot. Two dots indicate that a symbol can be drawn in either direction. If two or more drawing windows are open, screen and window-related freehand symbols apply in the window where the cursor is.

EPLAN Cabinet

1-27

EPLAN Cabinet system principles Freehand symbols

Freehand symbols available

Start again

Settings

Stroke element

Pick reference point

No / UNDO

Delete

Yes / Return / OK

Line

Refresh screen

Refresh all screen windows

All elements

Whole drawing

Exit

Exit

Detail

Last detail

Dimensioning

Measure

Text

Text

Project wizard

Device browser

Shading On

Shading Off

1-28

EPLAN Cabinet

EPLAN Cabinet system principles Freehand symbols

Freehand symbols additionally available in the Graphical editor

Open drawing

Sketch

Close

Save as

Circle

Circle

Arc

Arc

Move

Move with copy

Rotate

Rotate with copy

T-trim

A-trim

EPLAN Cabinet

1-29

EPLAN Cabinet system principles Redo

1.8 Undo

Edit | Undo File toolbar Freehand symbol Undo reverses your actions in one of two ways: •

If you have entered one or more items of data required for a command, Undo cancels the last items entered.

•

If it is not possible to cancel individual items entered for an active command, the command is reversed.

You can use Undo up to 50 times in a row.

Examples of operations the Undo command works on Deletion, moving and copying operations, showing and hiding operations Note: There are several functions that may be excepted from Undo.

1.9 Redo

Edit | Redo File toolbar The Redo command reverses the Undo command. It can reverse multiple ‘Undos’ in sequence. The maximum number of ‘redos’ is the number of operations that have been undone. If you have used Undo on five operations, you can use Redo five times to restore them.

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Creating and editing projects and drawings

2 2.1

Creating and editing projects and drawings ............. 2-2 EPLAN Cabinet projects ............................................................ 2-4

2.1.1

Creating a new enclosure project ........................................................... 2-4 2.1.1.1 Creating a project inside an EPLAN project................................. 2-4 2.1.1.2 Creating a project from a file........................................................ 2-6 2.1.2 Creating a new enclosure project from a template ................................. 2-8 2.1.3 Creating a new enclosure project by copying ......................................... 2-8 2.1.4 Opening an existing enclosure project.................................................. 2-10 2.1.5 Project pre-delivery check .................................................................... 2-11 2.1.6 Closing a project ................................................................................... 2-13 2.1.7 Deleting an existing enclosure project .................................................. 2-13

2.2

EPLAN Cabinet drawings ........................................................ 2-14

2.2.1 2.2.2 2.2.3 2.2.4

Adding a new drawing to a current project ........................................... 2-14 Adding a template drawing to the current project ................................. 2-15 Saving a current drawing as a template ............................................... 2-16 Deleting a drawing from an enclosure project ...................................... 2-17

EPLAN Cabinet

2-1

Creating and editing projects and drawings EPLAN Cabinet projects

2 Creating and editing projects and drawings A project in EPLAN Cabinet contains all data used in designing and laying out an enclosure. Each project is kept in a project directory identified by the name of the project with an .ECB extension. A project directory contains an EPLAN parts database, project control files, an EPLAN parts list file (EPLAN.PBF), an EPLAN administration list, and EPLAN Cabinet drawings. Only one project can be open at a time. It is not possible to have multiple projects open for editing. File Project Wizard

File | Project Wizard

Freehand symbol The Project Wizard contains all commands needed for creating and editing EPLAN Cabinet projects and for adding drawings and enclosures to them.

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Creating and editing projects and drawings EPLAN Cabinet projects

EPLAN Cabinet

2-3

Creating and editing projects and drawings EPLAN Cabinet projects

2.1 EPLAN Cabinet projects

2.1.1 Creating a new enclosure project Project Wizard | Create new project File | Project Wizard | Create new project You can create an enclosure project inside an existing EPLAN project or on its own without reference to an EPLAN project.

2.1.1.1

Creating a project inside an EPLAN project

In the "Import data from EPLAN" box, select the EPLAN version you want to import EPLAN component data from: •

EPLAN 5

•

EPLAN 21

Note: in Eplan 21, parts can be assigned a width, depth and height. When a project parts list is exported or updated with the Eplan 21 default settings, the depth is omitted. To include it, select the following in Eplan 21: Browser | Utilities | Parts Management
Parts List (Device Tags) | Settings tab | [...] and drag "Depth" to the left-hand side. Select a project drive A logical drive (e.g. "P") should be assigned in EPLAN Cabinet so that it points to the EPLAN project directory.

The data in the EPLAN project directory can be imported into the enclosure project.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Creating and editing projects and drawings EPLAN Cabinet projects Choose the drive that is assigned to the EPLAN project directory:

Click [OK] to go on to the directory selection, where you choose the directory in which the EPLAN Cabinet project will be stored.

Click [OK] to go on and name your project. You can either accept the name of the EPLAN project or type a name of your own.

EPLAN Cabinet

2-5

Creating and editing projects and drawings EPLAN Cabinet projects

2.1.1.2

Creating a project from a file

In the "Import data from EPLAN" box, choose "File". Then click [OK] to create a project that is based on a parts list file but is not related to an existing EPLAN project.

Select folder containing parts list Select the directory containing the source data - that is, a parts list (EPLAN.PBF or FORM.ASC) with data for enclosure components. If you want to create a new folder, right-click to open the context menu and choose "Create new folder".

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EPLAN Cabinet

Creating and editing projects and drawings EPLAN Cabinet projects

Select folder for EPLAN Cabinet project Choose a folder in which the custom EPLAN Cabinet project will be stored.

Name the project In the Project Name dialogue, type a name for the enclosure project.

Click [OK] to save the named project in the selected folder. In the example shown, a subdirectory ECDNeu2.ECB is created in the selected folder, TestProjekt. A drawing is automatically created and a dialogue opens for you to select a basic enclosure from the database.

EPLAN Cabinet

2-7

Creating and editing projects and drawings EPLAN Cabinet projects

2.1.2 Creating a new enclosure project from a template Project Wizard | Create new project from template File | Project Wizard | Create new project from template This command creates a new project directly from a selected template drawing. The procedure is the same as for creating a new project in an existing EPLAN project or from a file, except that there is no selecting a basic enclosure from the database. •

Select the project type and then an EPLAN project or parts list file.

•

Select a folder to create the project in.

•

Name the project.

•

Instead of the database browser, a file selection dialogue opens for you to select a template drawing. Select the cabinet you want.

•

Specify a placement point for inserting the cabinet in your drawing.

2.1.3 Creating a new enclosure project by copying Project Wizard | Create new project by copying File | Project Wizard | Create new project by copying This command copies an existing enclosure project. It copies all EPLAN Cabinet data from the source project to a new EPLAN project or new parts list. The procedure depends on whether you choose to copy the data from a file or from an EPLAN project.

2-8

EPLAN Cabinet

Creating and editing projects and drawings EPLAN Cabinet projects

Copying EPLAN data from a file •

Select the folder containing the EPLAN parts list (EPLAN.PBF or FORM.ASC).

•

Specify a folder to create the project in.

•

Name the project.

•

Select an existing EPLAN Cabinet project to copy.

•

A new project is created in the specified folder and with the specified name.

Copying data from EPLAN 5/EPLAN 21 Select an EPLAN project

Select an enclosure source project

First, select the EPLAN 5 project from which you are going to copy data to an enclosure project.

Next, select an existing enclosure project directory to copy (enclosure project directories can be recognized by the .ECB extension):

The drawings in the copied enclosure project are opened in the new EPLAN 5/21 target project.

EPLAN Cabinet

2-9

Creating and editing projects and drawings EPLAN Cabinet projects

2.1.4 Opening an existing enclosure project

Project Wizard | Open project File | Project Wizard | Open project Select the project you want:

Click [OK] to confirm your selection and load the project drawing.

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Creating and editing projects and drawings EPLAN Cabinet projects

2.1.5

Project pre-delivery check

For every import of EPLAN bills of material into EPLAN Cabinet, a new filter function makes it possible to flexibly specify filters for the devices to be imported. These criteria are compiled from EPLAN project hierarchies that can be preselected in the EPLAN project. When using the filter, only the devices that correspond to the specified import filter criteria are offered in the device browser. The same goes for connections.

Activating the project pre-deliver check To use the Project pre-delivery check for every import of the EPLAN bill of materials, select Extras - Parameter manager. The Use EPLAN project pre-delivery filter option is set to Standard in the Settings - EPLAN chapter tab. The dialog for filtering the components appears •

Upon initial start after a new installation

•

When creating a new project

•

When opening an existing project if the setting Automatically update EPLAN bill of materials when opening a project is activated

•

In the Update project bill of materials function

Options in the Project pre-delivery check dialog Depending on the setting in the EPLAN project being used, you can select the following filter criteria in the Project pre-delivery check dialog: •

Functional assignment

•

Plant

•

Installation site

•

Mounting location

•

Higher-level function number

•

User-defined

EPLAN Cabinet

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Creating and editing projects and drawings EPLAN Cabinet projects

Selecting options If the criteria is available in the EPLAN project, click [...] to open a dialog that lists the available plant designation, for example. Here you can select the desired plant designation. Use the [Shift] or [Ctrl] keys for multiple consecutive or individual selections, respectively. Clicking once again on a selected item will remove the selection. Click [OK] to enter the selected values in the Project pre-delivery check dialog.

Also import components to be placed externally If you add this option, the devices in parts management with the Position externally property will be also read from the bill of materials. These are components that are not in the enclosure itself, but will be assembled and operated outside of the enclosure, yet belong to the project.

Import log Importing the EPLAN bill of materials is documented in a log file regardless of whether a filter was used or not. The file is in the DRV subdirectory of the Cabinet project directory and has the name PROJECTIMPORT.LOG. If any errors or warnings have occurred, the log file is opened in the editor for you to see after importing the bill of materials.

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Creating and editing projects and drawings EPLAN Cabinet projects

2.1.6

Closing a project

Project wizard | Close project File| Project wizard | Close project All loaded project drawings are presented for saving or discarding. After this, the drawings are closed and the project structure present in the background is unloaded. EPLAN Cabinet is then again in start state.

2.1.7 Deleting an existing enclosure project

Project Wizard | Delete project File | Project Wizard | Delete project In the directory list, select the project you want to delete. Click [OK] and answer the confirmation prompt to delete the project together with all associated drawings and system files.

EPLAN Cabinet

2-13

Creating and editing projects and drawings EPLAN Cabinet drawings

2.2 EPLAN Cabinet drawings

2.2.1 Adding a new drawing to a current project This command adds a drawing to an existing enclosure project, for when you want an enclosure project to include more than one drawing. First, be sure that the existing project is already loaded.

Project Wizard | Add new drawing to current project File | Project Wizard | Add new drawing to current project The new drawing is given the name of the project followed by a sequential number such as _2. The enclosures in the database are then listed for selection.

Select an enclosure model and specify a placement point to insert the cabinet in your drawing. The additional cabinet drawings will be opened automatically the next time you open your project.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Creating and editing projects and drawings EPLAN Cabinet drawings

2.2.2 Adding a template drawing to the current project You can add project drawings to your project from template drawings.

Project Wizard | Add template drawing to current project File | Project Wizard | Add template drawing to current project Select the drawing you want in the templates directory.

Click [Open] to open the template drawing in the current project, rename it and save it to the project directory.

EPLAN Cabinet

2-15

Creating and editing projects and drawings EPLAN Cabinet drawings

2.2.3 Saving a current drawing as a template This command saves the active drawing in the currently loaded project as a template. For example, you could save a drawing containing a partly fitted enclosure as a template for use as a starting point in other projects.

Project Wizard | Save current drawing as template File | Project Wizard | Save current drawing as template Choose the directory you want and enter a file name. Click [Save] to save the drawing in the selected directory.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Creating and editing projects and drawings EPLAN Cabinet drawings

2.2.4 Deleting a drawing from an enclosure project This command removes a drawing from a project that is not currently loaded. If you select the command when a project is loaded, you are prompted to close it first.

Project Wizard | Delete drawing from a project File | Project Wizard | Delete drawing from a project The drawing files in the selected project are listed.

Click [Open] and answer the confirmation prompt to delete the selected drawing from the project directory and to remove all reference to it in the project file.

EPLAN Cabinet

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Creating and editing projects and drawings EPLAN Cabinet drawings

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EPLAN Cabinet

Activating and displaying components

3

Activating and displaying components ..................... 3-2

3.1

Activating a component ............................................................ 3-2

3.2

Activating a component exclusively ........................................ 3-7

3.3

Isometric view of all parts ......................................................... 3-9

3.3.1

Activating modelling space ................................................................... 3-10

3.4

Enclosure views ....................................................................... 3-11

3.4.1 3.4.2

Create view of parts available for mounting on..................................... 3-12 Creating custom views.......................................................................... 3-14

3.5

Modifying views ....................................................................... 3-15

3.5.1 3.5.2 3.5.3 3.5.4 3.5.5 3.5.6

Moving a view ....................................................................................... 3-15 Centring a view ..................................................................................... 3-15 Resizing a view..................................................................................... 3-16 Fit geometry to view size ...................................................................... 3-16 Changing the scale of a view................................................................ 3-17 Deleting a view ..................................................................................... 3-17

3.6

Zoom.......................................................................................... 3-18

3.7

Hiding and showing items....................................................... 3-21

3.8

Labels ........................................................................................ 3-23

3.8.1 3.8.2 3.8.3 3.8.4

Global parameter settings for labels ..................................................... 3-23 Visibility of labels .................................................................................. 3-25 Editing existing labels ........................................................................... 3-27 Showing and hiding labels .................................................................... 3-28

3.9

Displaying component labelling ............................................. 3-30

3.9.1 3.9.2 3.9.3 3.9.4

Item number labelling ........................................................................... 3-30 Device tag labelling............................................................................... 3-30 Renumbering components.................................................................... 3-30 Repositioning label text......................................................................... 3-31

3.10

Hiding and showing minimum clearances ............................ 3-32

3.11

Showing/hiding shading.......................................................... 3-33

3.12

Showing/hiding hidden edges ................................................ 3-34

3.13

Rotating a view......................................................................... 3-35

3.14

Input support ............................................................................ 3-37

3.14.1 3.14.2

Set grid.............................................................................................. 3-37 Coordinates in the status bar ............................................................ 3-38

EPLAN Cabinet

3-1

Activating and displaying components Activating a component

3 Activating and displaying components 3.1 Activating a component One of the basic features of working in EPLAN Cabinet is that a component is always subordinate to another component. The other component can be part of the main enclosure, an auxiliary component such as a mounting rail, or an electrical component that has already been placed in the drawing. Before placing a component for the first time, its reference component must be activated. View Activate component View | Activate component The activation method can be toggled between two modes: Edge A component is activated by holding down [Ctrl] and tapping one its edges. This is the usual method and is best suited for mounting panels, side panels and doors. Surface A component is activated by holding down [Ctrl] and tapping one of its surfaces. Hold down the [Ctrl] key and tap an edge or surface of a component. The view in modelling space and the viewing plane remain unchanged, but the working plane is set to the reference component so that subsequent input when placing a component takes effect on that plane. The colour of the activated component can be selected as a parameter.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Activating and displaying components Activating a component When you place a subsequent component, such as a mounting rail, it is highlighted in colour and the name of the activated component is displayed.

EPLAN Cabinet

3-3

Activating and displaying components Activating a component Mounting rail placed on mounting panel:

The mounting rail can now be fitted with other components. If the mounting rail is activated, all subsequent components are placed in its working plane.

3-4

EPLAN Cabinet

Activating and displaying components Activating a component

Special case: Inward-facing surfaces in a closed cabinet When components are activated by tapping a surface, note that surfaces located behind others are only available for activation when they are visible. One situation in which this effect becomes noticeable is when the enclosure door is closed. If the wanted surface is not visible, tapping it will select the visible surface located in front of it, so an attempt to activate the rear panel of a enclosure when the door is closed will result in the door being selected instead:

EPLAN Cabinet

3-5

Activating and displaying components Activating a component In such cases, switch to Edge mode and try activating the rear panel by tapping one of its edges. If this fails, hide the door and use the "Activate component exclusively" command. View toolbar | Activate component exclusively Navigator:

Another easy way to activate any component is by using the Navigator. The context menu for each surface of a component includes "Activate" and "Activate exclusive" commands:

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EPLAN Cabinet

Activating and displaying components Activating a component exclusively

3.2 Activating a component exclusively The "Activate component exclusively" command activates a component as a reference component for use when placing other components and at the same time displays it "exclusively" from the front: All other components of the enclosure not related to the activated component or not placed on it are hidden. Activation and exclusive display of a component is not saved with the drawing. View Activate component exclusively View | Activate component exclusively The activation method can be toggled between two modes: Edge A component is activated by holding down [Ctrl] and tapping one its edges. This is the usual method and is best suited for mounting panels, side panels and doors. Surface A component is activated by holding down [Ctrl] and tapping one of its surfaces. Hold down the [Ctrl] key and tap an edge or surface of the component you want to activate. Note:

It is not always fully possible to determine the desired area for complex items, e.g. a chassis in the drawing. Activate an area on this item type in the navigator. To do this, expand the structure of the item and call up the activation using the right mouse button on the required area.

The activated component, e.g. a mounting panel, is shown from the front. All side panels, profiles, doors and components fitted to them are hidden. Components belonging to the activated component remain visible. The colour of the activated component can be selected as a parameter.

EPLAN Cabinet

3-7

Activating and displaying components Activating a component exclusively When a mounting panel is activated, the ducts, mounting rails and other components attached to it remain visible.

Components can be moved during placement on the mounting rail:

3-8

EPLAN Cabinet

Activating and displaying components Isometric view of all parts

3.3 Isometric view of all parts The Isometric View command switches back from an exclusive front view of the activated component to an isometric view of the modelling space. All parts and placed components are shown. View Change to ISO view View | Isometric view The activated component remains activated. Change to isometric view

EPLAN Cabinet

3-9

Activating and displaying components Isometric view of all parts

3.3.1

Activating modelling space

Modelling space is the space in which 3D models are created. Besides working in views, you can also work directly in modelling space. This is a precondition for many component placement functions. Double-click the Viewpoints node View | Viewpoints | Isometric view In modelling space, solids are placed or drawn in one view only, usually the isometric view. Alternatively, you can use one of the elevations for the 3D model and work in that elevation instead. The 3D model view covers the whole drawing area.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Activating and displaying components Enclosure views

3.4 Enclosure views Views are standardised elevations on 3D space. A drawing can contain several views. Enclosure views can only be used for displaying a drawing; they are needed in particular for DXF drawing data exports to EPLAN. Unlike other ways of displaying a drawing, editing is not possible in enclosure views; the commands for activating components are not available. View Enclosure views View | Enclosure views EPLAN Cabinet includes three predefined views to display the enclosure or parts of it at various scales: •

Front view of the door/cabinet front

•

Front view of the mounting panel

•

Isometric view of the enclosure

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3-11

Activating and displaying components Enclosure views The views are shown under the Views node in the Navigator and are saved with the drawing.

Selecting or clearing the checkbox next to a view icon shows or hides the view. Hidden views are not included in DXF data exports. After a DXF export, you can switch back to another viewing mode.

3.4.1 Create view of parts available for mounting on A view of enclosure parts available for mounting on - such as the side panels, rear panel, profile, mounting panel and door - can be generated in the Navigator. The view shows the selected component front-on.

Navigator | right-click layer available for mounting on | Create view The display switches from model to view. Specify the bottom left and top right-hand corner of the view border. You can now create a view just for the selected element (profile, mounting panel, door, etc.). If you click [Yes], the selected component is shown in the view together with all parts on it, including parts that extend beyond the component"s edges.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Activating and displaying components Enclosure views Example 1: View of a mounting panel

If you click [No] and a component fitted with devices spans multiple enclosures, the view will show the entire array. Example 2: View of a mounting panel (left) and all elements in an array

EPLAN Cabinet

3-13

Activating and displaying components Enclosure views

3.4.2 Creating custom views The default enclosure views can be supplemented with additional standard views and various types of custom views. Views Create view View | 3D views | Create views Creates a single view. The type of view is selectable.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Activating and displaying components Modifying views

3.5 Modifying views

3.5.1 Moving a view Views Move View | 3D Views | Move View border | Move To move a view, select this command and tap in the view to move. You can then drag the view across the screen with the cursor. [Return] toggles between free movement in any direction, movement in X only and movement in Y only. Drop the view at its new location.

3.5.2 Centring a view Views Centre View | 3D Views | Centre View border | Centre Centres the elements •

In one view, by tapping the view.

•

In all views, by pressing [Return].

EPLAN Cabinet

3-15

Activating and displaying components Modifying views

3.5.3 Resizing a view Views Resize View | 3D Views | Resize View border | Resize To change the display size of a view, select this function, then click inside a corner of the view and pull the frame of the view in or out. Pressing [Return] switches from free entry of the view corner to individual entries of the X and Y side directions. The size of the geometric content is not changed, only the area shown by the view changes.

3.5.4 Fit geometry to view size Views Fit Geometry to View Size View | 3D Views | Fit Geometry to View Size View border | Fit geometry to View Size This is the reverse of the Optimum Size command. The size of the view remains unchanged, while the geometry in the view is zoomed to fit in the view. Pick the view you want press [Return] for all views.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Activating and displaying components Modifying views

3.5.5 Changing the scale of a view Right-click view border | Scale Different views in a 3D drawing can have different scales: you can choose the display scale for each view. You can also re-centre the geometry in the view after rescaling so that it can be seen in its entirety. Select the command and pick the view to rescale. You then have the following options: Enlarge To enlarge the displayed size of the geometry enter a larger scale (e.g. 1:2 instead of 1:1). Reduce To reduce the displayed size of the geometry enter a smaller scale (e.g. 2:1 instead of 1:1). Use drawing scale Press [Return] to use the current drawing scale. Press [Return] when you are done if you wish to centre the geometry in the view.

3.5.6 Deleting a view View | 3D Views | Delete Navigator | Right-click View node | Delete View border | Delete Select this command and pick the view you want to delete.

EPLAN Cabinet

3-17

Activating and displaying components Zoom

3.6 Zoom

Zooming with the mouse wheel

Turn the mouse wheel You can zoom in or out to any magnification by turning the mouse (or pen) wheel towards or away from you. [Alt] for slow zoom Hold down the [Alt] key while turning the mouse wheel to zoom at a slower rate.

Zooming out with the right mouse button

Move the mouse backwards with the right button held down Hold down the right mouse button and move the mouse backwards or backwards and to the left. A box is displayed, with arrows pointing to it from the corners of the current detail. The detail is zoomed out to the area enclosed by the box.

Zooming in with the left mouse button Hold down the right mouse button and move the mouse forwards to the left or right to draw a box. The detail zooms in on the area covered by the box.

Panning with the middle mouse button

Move the mouse with the middle button held down Moving the mouse in any direction with the middle button held down pans the detail from the point in it where the mouse button was pressed. The detail is not zoomed in or out at the same time.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Activating and displaying components Zoom The four zoom buttons on the EPLAN Cabinet View toolbar and in the menu bar help find your way around the drawing in any view (isometric view, exclusive component view or enclosure views).

Enable zoom View | Window Zooms a specific area in the drawing window. If two or more drawings are open, tap the window you want to zoom first. Tap to define the bottom left corner of the area you want to zoom, move to the top right corner and tap again. The specified area is enlarged to fill the window.

Disable zoom View | Entire drawing Returns to displaying the entire drawing. If two or more drawings are open, tap the window you want to restore first. The entire drawing is displayed again.

Zoom in (150%) View | Zoom in Zooms-in the centre of the current view in the drawing window to 150%. Tap the drawing window you want. All views can be zoomed, including enlarged views created with the Enable Zoom command.

EPLAN Cabinet

3-19

Activating and displaying components Zoom

Zoom out (75%) View | Zoom out Zooms-out the centre of the current view in the drawing window to 75%. Tap the drawing window you want. All views can be zoomed, including details and the entire drawing.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Activating and displaying components Hiding and showing items

3.7

Hiding and showing items

All components of an enclosure can be hidden and shown individually or several at a time. This is possible in different ways: •

Hide / Show individually or together via a menu item

•

Hide / Show individually with all assigned parts via the pop-up menu in the drawing

•

Hide / Show individually with all assigned parts via the pop-up menu in the navigator

•

Hide / Show individually via check boxes in the navigator

Hiding and unhiding via menu items View | Hide / Show | Hide elements Click the components to be hidden one after another. Items assigned to the components to be hidden, e.g. devices on a mounting rail, will not be hidden with this function. Pressing [Return] hides all components in the drawing. View | Hide / Show | Show elements Pressing [Return] shows all hidden components in the drawing again.

Hiding and showing via the drawing pop-up menu All enclosure components, construction items and devices have a "Hide" option in their pop-up menu, which appears when right-clicking in the drawing. Items assigned to hidden components, e.g. devices on a mounting rail, are also hidden together with the selected components. Select "Show elements" in the menu bar to show a hidden item again. View | Hide / Show | Show elements

EPLAN Cabinet

3-21

Activating and displaying components Hiding and showing items

Hiding and showing via the navigator pop-up menu All enclosure components, construction items and devices have a "Hide" option in their pop-up menu, which appears when right-clicking in the navigator. Items assigned to hidden components, e.g. devices on a mounting rail, are also hidden together with the selected components. Select "Show" in the navigator pop-up menu to show a hidden item again.

Hiding and showing via the navigator check boxes Enclosure components can also be hidden and unhidden directly from the navigator. Every part has a selectable check box in the navigator. The component is visible in the model and in all views if the corresponding check box is selected.

If the corresponding check box is deselected, then the component is hidden in the model and in all views.

Items assigned to the components to be hidden, e.g. devices on a mounting rail, will not be hidden with this function.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Activating and displaying components Labels

3.8 Labels Many objects can have labels in EPLAN Cabinet, including devices, ducts, various rails and user-defined components. These labels are permanently assigned to each component and are placed automatically. The behaviour of the various types of label can be configured before and after placement. These settings affect all components that have already been inserted in drawings and all that are inserted in future. Labels on components already in the drawing can also be modified in various ways. These include specifying a font size, fixed positioning, moving to a userdefined position, and showing and hiding individual labels independently of the global visibility setting.

3.8.1 Global parameter settings for labels Global settings can be specified for text labels in the EPLAN Cabinet parameters. Information, organization and security Parameters Information/security | EPLAN Cabinet parameters Click the Colours and Text tab

EPLAN Cabinet

3-23

Activating and displaying components Labels In the marked areas, you can change the font colour and the font size for individual components. Note: These settings only affect new components placed from now onwards. Once you have clicked [OK], the settings are saved and will continue to apply the next time you start EPLAN Cabinet. Note: All settings are stored in a file, ecdapp.ini. This .ini file is stored in the ECDTRIGA4 subdirectory of the start directory. Settings can be transferred from one workstation to another by copying this file.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Activating and displaying components Labels

3.8.2

Visibility of labels

The visibility of labels can be controlled separately for devices and ducts/rails. Select the command on the menu bar, under View - Configure Text.

You can choose separately for devices and ducts/rails whether to display: •

Device tags

•

Item numbers

•

No labelling

Note: "Devices" include: •

Devices from the parts list (placed using the browser)

•

Universal components

•

User-defined components

"Ducts and rails" include: •

Ducts

•

Mounting rails

•

Busbar systems

•

Cable clamp rails

These settings are applied to the currently open project as soon as they are confirmed.

EPLAN Cabinet

3-25

Activating and displaying components Labels Each project has its own settings.

3-26

EPLAN Cabinet

Activating and displaying components Labels

3.8.3 Editing existing labels Labels on placed components can be modified at any time. The modifiable parameters are: •

Font size

•

Alignment

•

Fixed position

It is also possible to specify a user-defined position. Note: Only the format and location of the labels are modified, not the text. On the menu, select View - Reposition Text.

The "automatic above", "automatic centred" and "automatic below" positioning options can be applied to several components simultaneously. The "freely selectable" option can only be used on one component at a time. Choose the options you want, then select the components to apply them to. For multiple components, select them in rectangle selection mode.

EPLAN Cabinet

3-27

Activating and displaying components Labels To freely move a component"s label, choose the "freely selectable" option and specify an append point. Click the component. You can now move the label with the cursor and click again to set it down. The alignment and append point can still be modified.

If you alter the length of a duct or a rail, the label returns to its original position. The same happens if you exchange a duct or rail.

3.8.4 Showing and hiding labels You can show and hide labels of components that have already been placed in a drawing. The command applies for one component at a time. You will find it on the context menu that opens when you right-click a component.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Activating and displaying components Labels

Example: Label shown:

Label hidden:

EPLAN Cabinet

3-29

Activating and displaying components Displaying component labelling

3.9 Displaying component labelling 3.9.1 Item number labelling View Display item number labelling By default, components are labelled with their item number from the parts list associated with the project. Clicking the button a second time hides component item numbers.

3.9.2 Device tag labelling View Show device tag labelling Switches component labelling to device tags. Clicking the button a second time hides component device tags.

3.9.3 Renumbering components Information, Organization and Security Renumber components EPLAN Cabinet sequentially numbers all components as they are placed in an enclosure. Subsequently added components are given a number at the end of the sequence. Gaps in the numbering resulting on component deletion are not automatically closed. Use the Renumber command to remove such discrepancies.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Activating and displaying components Displaying component labelling

3.9.4 Repositioning label text The positioning of label text on components is modifiable. For the sake of better readability, it may be necessary to change the position, alignment and font size of specific component labels from the default. View Reposition text A dialogue opens with three options: Text position Placement of the text relative to the component: •

Centre (default)

•

Above the component

•

Below the component

Text alignment •

Horizontal (default)

•

Vertical

Text size •

12 pt (default)

•

Custom value

Modify the settings and click [OK] to confirm. The dialogue closes and you can pick the components you want to apply the settings to. Individual components can be picked by tapping them one after another until you press [ESC] to stop. Multiple components can be picked by specifying a box that encloses them. Enter a point for the bottom left corner of the box, then press and hold the left mouse button for about 1 sec. Move to the top right corner and tap to enter a point for that corner. To confirm: •

Tap inside the box. This selects all components that are fully inside the box.

•

Tap next to the box. This selects all components that the box touches, including ones outside it.

You are then prompted to confirm your selection or to add other elements by tapping them. Choose [Yes] to apply the specified modification to the labels of all selected components.

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3-31

Activating and displaying components Hiding and showing minimum clearances

Example: In the picture, the components inside the box are selected and their label texts are changed from centred to above.

3.10 Hiding and showing minimum clearances

View | Show minimum clearances View | Hide minimum clearances Devices can be assigned a minimum clearance when defined in the parts management. This is taken into account on placement, and ensures that the permissible thermal load of neighboring devices can be maintained. The defined minimum clearances can be displayed on placement for monitoring purposes. They are displayed as surrounding lines or shaded as a transparent surrounding body. The handle of the device can be set in the placement options to be relative to the item edges (standard) or relative to the minimum clearances.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Activating and displaying components Showing/hiding shading

3.11 Showing/hiding shading View Shading on View Shading off Shaded view shows the enclosure and its components with coloured surfaces. The top, side panels and door are 50% transparent. You can continue to work without restriction in shaded view. The transparency can be adjusted in the EPLAN Cabinet parameters.

EPLAN Cabinet

3-33

Activating and displaying components Showing/hiding hidden edges

3.12 Showing/hiding hidden edges View Recalculate hidden edges View Delete hidden edges Hidden edges are edges of components that are concealed by surfaces between them and the viewer. The default view is isometric view with hidden edges displayed; the enclosure and all components appear transparent. When you change to a different view, the information on which edges are visible in isometric view is lost. Correct display of the non-transparent parts is restored by recalculation. Deleting redisplays the hidden edges.

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Activating and displaying components Rotating a view

3.13 Rotating a view "Rotate view contents" rotates the contents of a view or the model about all three axes. View Rotate view

Specify the view and centre of rotation First, specify the view to rotate and the point about which it is to be rotated. Tap The centre of rotation is the centre of the space shown in the view. any point to make it the centre of rotation. The centre of rotation is marked with a cross.

Specify the rotation range The possible rotation range is 360 degrees in each direction, i.e. it has the form of an imaginary sphere. There are two ways to control the rotation: 1) Tap Tap next to the centre of rotation to determine the size of the sphere. This also affects the rotation speed: the bigger the sphere, the slower the rotation of the view contents. The direction of rotation is determined by where you tap the sphere. Press [Return] to accept your settings; the rotation stops. 2) Drag Tap once to determine the size of the sphere and hold down the mouse button/pen. You can now rotate the view contents on the imaginary sphere by moving the mouse or pen. When you let go of the mouse button/pen, the view stops rotating and is left at its current position. If you let go while moving, the rotation continues, leaving the view contents rotating around the specified point.

EPLAN Cabinet

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Activating and displaying components Rotating a view

Rotating with keyboard control If you want to rotate the view contents manually in shaded or wireframe view, first specify a centre of rotation. Then specify an angle for the rotation increment. For example, if you enter 10°, each time you press the left or right cursor key and each time you tap in the view causes the view contents to be rotated by 10°. The PgUp and PgDn keys move the view contents closer or further away.

Stopping rotation There are two ways to stop a view rotating: [Esc]

Restores the view to its original orientation.

[Return]

Retains the current orientation.

Resetting a rotated view To reset a rotated view to isometric view, right-click in the edge of the view and select the "ISO view" option on the context menu.

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Activating and displaying components Input support

3.14 Input support

3.14.1 Set grid When placing mounting panels and rails freehand, a grid can be enabled so that items can only be positioned at points on the grid. The grid is displayed and used while making inputs. The displayed grid spacing changes automatically with the current zoom level. If you choose a very small grid spacing and zoom out beyond a certain level, the grid ceases to be shown but stays active for point input. The grid does not affect point search or typed coordinates.. View | Grid View toolbar The grid can be configured in a dialogue. Grid on Enables the grid for use. Grid spacing The default grid spacing is 1 mm. This can be changed by selecting or entering a different spacing. Start point for mounting surfaces On mounting panels, the first grid point is defined relative to the bottom left or the bottom right of the panel. On mounting rails, the grid always starts at the left.

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Activating and displaying components Input support

3.14.2

Coordinates in the status bar

The XY coordinates of the current cursor position are shown in the status bar for guidance when placing parts and devices in a drawing. The reference point (X=0, Y=0) is the position of the coordinate system. If the grid is active, the grid spacing is also shown and the X and Y position of the cursor moves in increments equal to the grid spacing.

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Placing and modifying enclosures

4 4.1

Placing and modifying enclosures............................. 4-2 Placing enclosures..................................................................... 4-2

4.1.1 4.1.2 4.1.3 4.1.4 4.1.5

Selecting an enclosure from the database ............................................. 4-2 Placement options for enclosures .......................................................... 4-4 Adding a new enclosure to the current drawing...................................... 4-9 Adding a Rittal TS8 enclosure .............................................................. 4-10 Additional options for TS8 enclosures .................................................. 4-11 4.1.5.1 Inserting chassis/mounting rail................................................... 4-12 4.1.5.2 Inserting partial mounting panel................................................. 4-13 4.1.5.3 Insert enclosure accessories ..................................................... 4-14 4.1.5.4 Swap door hinging ..................................................................... 4-15 4.1.6 Floor groups as accessories................................................................. 4-16 4.1.6.1 Changing a floor group in a drawing .......................................... 4-16 4.1.6.2 Saving a floor group................................................................... 4-18 4.1.6.3 Separately editing a floor group ................................................. 4-18 4.1.6.4 Inserting a floor group ................................................................ 4-19

4.2

Modifying enclosures .............................................................. 4-20

4.2.1 4.2.2 4.2.3 4.2.4 4.2.5 4.2.6

Move enclosure .................................................................................... 4-20 Rotate enclosure................................................................................... 4-20 Copying an enclosure ........................................................................... 4-21 Swapping out an enclosure .................................................................. 4-22 Changing enclosure names .................................................................. 4-23 Deleting an enclosure ........................................................................... 4-24

4.3

External enclosure templates ................................................. 4-25

4.3.1 4.3.2

Creating an enclosure template from a drawing ................................... 4-25 Specifying mounting panels in enclosure templates............................. 4-28 4.3.2.1 Field size.................................................................................... 4-30 4.3.2.2 Space available for population................................................... 4-30

4.4

Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates ............... 4-32

4.4.1 4.4.2 4.4.3 4.4.4 4.4.5 4.4.6

Importing a 3D enclosure model........................................................... 4-33 Correcting the orientation of the enclosure........................................... 4-39 Creating an enclosure template from an imported model..................... 4-43 Specifying enclosure components ........................................................ 4-45 Specifying an origin for the enclosure................................................... 4-56 Saving an enclosure as a template....................................................... 4-60

4.5

RiCAD 3D enclosures .............................................................. 4-62

4.5.1

Installing RiCAD 3D .............................................................................. 4-63 4.5.1.1 Running RiCAD 3D from CD...................................................... 4-63 4.5.1.2 Running RiCAD 3D from hard disk ............................................ 4-63 4.5.2 Using RiCAD 3D data ........................................................................... 4-65 4.5.3 Finding an enclosure in RiCAD 3D ....................................................... 4-68 4.5.4 Additional information on RiCAD 3D enclosure models ....................... 4-75 4.5.5 Detail level for displaying parts in RiCAD 3D........................................ 4-76 4.5.6 Transferring an enclosure to EPLAN Cabinet....................................... 4-77

EPLAN Cabinet

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Placing and modifying enclosures Placing enclosures

4 Placing and modifying enclosures 4.1

Placing enclosures

4.1.1

Selecting an enclosure from the database

Once you have named the project, the enclosure models in the EPLAN Cabinet database are displayed in a list.

In this window, you can: •

Select a standard enclosure as the base unit for your drawing.

•

Select a cabinet from a template drawing.

•

Specify how many copies of the selected enclosure you want to insert in your drawing.

If you decide not to place an enclosure in your drawing, click [Cancel].

Selecting from the database Select an enclosure in the list. If you want to insert two or more cabinets of the same type, enter the number in the Number box.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying enclosures Placing enclosures

Selecting an enclosure template

Click the button next to the Cabinet Template box to open a file selection dialogue and select an enclosure drawing you have stored as a template for use as a standard enclosure model in addition to those in the database. The name of the selected drawing is copied into the box.

Placement point You are next asked to specify a placement point for inserting the enclosure in your drawing. The cabinet is placed with its rear bottom left corner at the specified point and displayed to fill the window in the 3D model.

With this enclosure as your starting point, you can now go on to add drawing elements and equipment.

EPLAN Cabinet

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Placing and modifying enclosures Placing enclosures

4.1.2

Placement options for enclosures

A dialogue opens when you select an enclosure for placement in a drawing:

Mode EPLAN Cabinet can arrange one or more enclosures next to others in the drawing. There are three easy-to-use options for placing enclosures: •

Place enclosure user defined

•

Baying enclosure left

•

Baying enclosure right

Baying distance The spacing between enclosures is taken from the database and can be modified before placement. Side panels Any side panels can be removed when arranging enclosures in a row.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying enclosures Placing enclosures Note: Any number of enclosures from the EPLAN Cabinet database or RiCAD 3D can be placed at a time by specifying a quantity. Enclosure templates are always placed one at a time.

Example: To place three TS8 enclosures so that they adjoin the TS8 enclosure already in the drawing: Existing drawing:

•

On the menu, choose Components - Enclosures and then "Place Enclosure".

•

Choose an enclosure from the database and specify the quantity.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Placing enclosures

•

Choose [OK] to confirm. The dialogue 'Placement options' is then displayed:

•

Under "Mode", select "Baying enclosure right".

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EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying enclosures Placing enclosures

Baying distance The spacing between enclosures is taken from the database and can be modified before placement. •

In the status bar, you are prompted to click the enclosure or profile. Click the enclosure in the drawing. The new enclosure will be placed next to the enclosure you click.

•

A message is displayed: The selected enclosure has a panel on this side. Remove it?"

•

Choose whether to remove the right-hand side panel of the enclosure already in the drawing (because a new enclosure will adjoin it).

If you select [Yes], the right side panel of the existing enclosure and the left side panel of the first new enclosure will be omitted when the new enclosure is added. If you select [No], the first new enclosure will be placed with all side panels intact and the enclosure already in the drawing will remain unchanged. Note: When you insert two or more enclosures, their side panels are always omitted. If this is not what you want, place the enclosures individually. Once you have made your selection, the enclosures are inserted in the drawing.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Placing enclosures

Result:

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EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying enclosures Placing enclosures

4.1.3

Adding a new enclosure to the current drawing

Placement Select and place enclosure from database Components | Enclosure Use this command to insert one or more additional enclosures in a loaded drawing. Choose the model you want and type a quantity (2 in this case):

EPLAN Cabinet

4-9

Placing and modifying enclosures Placing enclosures To place an enclosure flush with its predecessor, for a bottom corner.

4.1.4 Adding a Rittal TS8 enclosure Placement [RICAD 3D] | Place Rittal TS8 enclosure from Cadenas If you have a Cadenas Standard parts system providing Rittal TS8 enclosures installed on your computer, you can optionally use one of these as an enclosure template. Press the [Ricad 3D] button to start Cadenas. Then, select and place an enclosure. See: "Parameters: Eplan"

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EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying enclosures Placing enclosures

4.1.5 Additional options for TS8 enclosures Rittal TS 8 enclosures can be selected from the database or configured in RICAD 3D and inserted, fully fitted, into EPLAN Cabinet drawings. Some components can be added to a TS 8 enclosure that has already been inserted in a drawing: •

Chassis

•

Mounting rails

•

Partial mounting panels

Note: These additional components are not available for enclosures selected from the database in versions before EPLAN Cabinet 1.8. To be able to select these components, select "Edit parameters" from the enclosure's context menu in the navigator. Then select the same enclosure again from the database. The context menu of the exchanged enclosure will thereafter offer the additional components as well.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Placing enclosures

4.1.5.1

Inserting chassis/mounting rail

A TS 8 enclosure from RICAD 3D can be fitted with additional parts in EPLAN Cabinet - for example, a TS system chassis or an 18 x 38 mm TS mounting rail, say to carry a partial mounting panel or an intermediate panel.

Navigator | right-click TS 8 enclosure | Insert chassis/mounting rail The 17 x 73 mm TS system chassis is selected by default. You will find the mounting rail under this selection. For the fitting location, you can select the profile level for attaching the chassis (left, right, rear left, right, outside rear). The chassis can be moved with the cursor anywhere in the selected plane. Set it down at the location you want on the profile. Chassis and mounting rail inserted at outside rear

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Placing and modifying enclosures Placing enclosures

4.1.5.2

Inserting partial mounting panel

A TS 8 enclosure from RICAD 3D can be fitted with an additional partial mounting panel.

Navigator | right-click TS 8 enclosure | Insert partial mounting panel The width of the partial mounting panel is determined from the enclosure width and automatically dimensioned. The height is selected in a dialogue. The available choices of location are the rear panel and the left or right side panel. The chassis can be moved with the cursor anywhere in the selected plane. Set it down at the location you want on the side or rear panel. Partial mounting panel inserted on right side panel

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Placing and modifying enclosures Placing enclosures

4.1.5.3

Insert enclosure accessories

Several accessories can be added to a TS8 enclosure. Navigator | Right-click TS8 enclosure | Insert enclosure accessories

Available accessories •

Base

•

Covers

•

Divider panel

•

Divider panel for module plates

•

Using the Components - Place custom enclosure part command you can also insert additional module plates into a divider panel. The additional module plates are available as graphical macros.

•

Module plates

•

Top extension

•

Cable management

Various installation positions and variants are possible depending on the type of accessory. These choices also depend on the model and size of the enclosure the accessories are being added to. Note: These accessories are not available for selection for enclosures inserted in a drawing from the database or RICAD 3D using a program version earlier than EPLAN Cabinet 1.8. To add accessories in this case, right-click the enclosure for its context menu and re-select the enclosure from the database under Edit Parameters in the Navigator. The context menu for the new enclosure will then include the accessories.

Placing the accessories Select an accessory and its installation position. Click [OK] to place the part at the selected position.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Placing enclosures

4.1.5.4

Swap door hinging

On a narrow TS 8 enclosure from RICAD 3D, it is possible to reverse the door so that the hinges are on the other side. The lock is moved together with the hinges.

Navigator | right-click door | Swap door hinging

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Placing and modifying enclosures Placing enclosures

4.1.6

Floor groups as accessories

TS8 enclosures that were configured in RICAD 3D and transferred to the Cabinet project can contain a complete group of accessories. This floor group consists of a base tray and several gland plates. All components of the floor group are themselves completely defined items with several mounting levels that can be included in reports. The floor group of an enclosure is listed under its own node in the navigator.

4.1.6.1

Changing a floor group in a drawing

Various functions are available for editing the floor group as a complete component and also for the individual gland plates. They are accessible via the right-click popup menu in the navigator and at the item in the drawing

Editing functions for complete floor groups Navigator | Base tray | Right-click The pop-up menu provides the following functions for editing complete floor groups: •

Edit additional info

•

Delete

•

Hide

•

Show

•

Transparency

•

Define item

•

Hide text

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Placing and modifying enclosures Placing enclosures

Editing functions for gland plates Navigator | Gland plate node | Right-click Drawing | Gland plate item | Right-click The pop-up menu provides the following functions for editing individual gland plates: •

Edit additional info

•

Delete

•

Move

•

Copy

•

Hide

•

Show

•

Transparency

•

Define item

•

Hide text

Rotate 180° Rotates the gland plate vertically by 180°. This function can be used to adjust asymmetrical gland plates with cutouts and holes to suit the mounting requirements of the enclosure. Flip Rotates the gland plate horizontally by 180 °. This allows swapping the upper and lower sides of the gland plate. Tilt Tilts the gland plate at the front or rear edge by a definable angle. This option is used, •

to rotate metal sheets so that they overlap each other at one side

•

or to create a gap for cable entry.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Placing enclosures

4.1.6.2

Saving a floor group

The floor group from a TS8 enclosure placed from RICAD 3D can be saved in a separate drawing in order to •

alter it in the separate drawing

•

or use it as a component for other TS8 enclosures in project drawings Navigator | TS8 enclosure | Right-click | Save floor group

The drive, directory, and name for the floor group to be saved can be selected. It is a good idea to save the floor group in the MACROS directory, or a subdirectory below this, because it can then be directly accessed from here for placement in project drawings. The floor group is saved as a separate drawing and can be loaded and edited outside projects. It contains the complete enclosure logic of the component contained in the project drawing.

4.1.6.3

Separately editing a floor group

A TS enclosure floor group that has been stored in a separate drawing from within the project drawing can be changed in this new drawing: •

All right-click pop-up menu functions for changing the floor group and its individual parts in the project drawing can also be used in the separate drawing.

•

Rotate sheets by 180°

•

Flip sheets

•

Tilt sheets

•

Adding enclosure components (e.g. supports, additional shelves, eyebolts, etc.)

Save the changed floor group drawing under a different name. This allows you to generate individually customized floor groups and insert then into TS8 enclosure project drawings.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Placing enclosures

4.1.6.4

Inserting a floor group

Floor groups saved from project drawings, or generated by editing saved floor group drawings, can be inserted into TS8 enclosures or be used to replace existing floor groups. Precondition: You have opened a project drawing with a TS8 enclosure. Navigator | TS8 enclosure | Right-click | Insert floor group Select the desired drawing from the directory where you saved the floor group. The floor group is placed in the enclosure and incorporated into the navigator structure.. If the enclosure where you wish to insert a floor group already has one, then you are informed of this and can decide to replace it or cancel the insertion.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Modifying enclosures

4.2

Modifying enclosures

4.2.1

Move enclosure

To move an entire enclosure in the drawing, use the Move command in the Navigator.

Select enclosure | right-click | Move enclosure The base of the enclosure is displayed at the cursor with its append point at the front left-hand corner. Pressing [Return] moves the append point to a different corner. Enter a placement point anywhere in the drawing area. If you want to move the enclosure by a precise amount in a specific direction, type: •

X and a value in mm to move the enclosure along the X axis

•

Y and a value in mm to move the enclosure along the Y axis

•

f to return to freehand point input

4.2.2

Rotate enclosure

To rotate an entire enclosure on its base in the drawing, use the Rotate command in the Navigator.

Select enclosure | right-click | Rotate enclosure A dialogue opens for you to select: •

The angle of rotation (default: 90°)

•

The centre of rotation (default: rear left-hand corner).

Click [OK] to rotate the enclosure and all its components.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Modifying enclosures

4.2.3

Copying an enclosure

Use this command to create a copy of an entire enclosure including its structure and fittings within the same drawing. Before copying an enclosure, change to isometric view so that it is fully visible.

Select enclosure | Right-click | Copy enclosure Select the placement options and click [OK] to confirm. Place freehand Click an enclosure to line up to. Specify a placement point (rear left) for the copy. The copy is created with its rear left-hand corner at this point. Line up enclosure left/right Lines up the copy at the left or right-hand side of another enclosure. If "Line up with original" is selected, the copy is generated directly next to the enclosure selected in the Navigator. If this option is not selected, click an enclosure to line up to. If a copied enclosure contains devices, you can specify a new plant designation and unit ID in all placement modes. Click [OK] to confirm the dialogue.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Modifying enclosures

4.2.4

Swapping out an enclosure

An enclosure that is already in a drawing can be swapped out for a different model. If the dimensions match, all parts and devices from the old enclosure are retained in the new one.

Select enclosure | Right-click | Edit parameters A database dialogue opens for you to select an enclosure. Select a model to replace the current one and click [OK] to confirm. Note: A number of restrictions apply when swapping out enclosures: You can only exchange enclosures of the same type (unit/body). If this criterion is not met, an error message is displayed and the enclosure is not exchanged. Enclosures with large differences in their dimensions cannot be exchanged. If the enclosure in the drawing has a number of mounting panels, submounting panels, different mounting levels or different profile widths, it cannot be exchanged for a model that does not have these components or on which they are different. In such cases, a message is displayed indicating that the enclosure is not suitable for exchanging; the enclosure is not exchanged.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Modifying enclosures

4.2.5

Changing enclosure names

In the navigator, an enclosure placed in the drawing initially has the name it received from the database or from Ricad 3D. This name can be changed retroactively.

Select enclosure | Right-click | Enclosure properties •

In the "Enclosure properties" dialog, enter a new name for the selected enclosure.

•

Confirm this by clicking [OK].

The new enclosure name is only entered in the navigator; it is not written back to the database. If the enclosure is swapped then, despite the name change, the model will remain in the database under the original name.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Modifying enclosures

4.2.6

Deleting an enclosure

Enclosures can be removed from the drawing in a single step. All accessories, items and devices are deleted together with the enclosure. The function used for deletion depends on the enclosure type: Individual components or unibody.

Deleting enclosures of the individual component type (TS series) Individual component type enclosures consist of a multitude of profile parts. They cannot be deleted as a single item via the element deletion function. However, the navigator contains a function allowing an Individual component type enclosure to be deleted in a single step.

Select enclosure | Right-click | Delete After the delete confirmation dialog, it is removed together with all items it contains.

Deleting unibody type enclosures (AE, CM series) Unibody type enclosures consist of a single 3D body. They can therefore be deleted as a single item via the element deletion function. Edit Delete Freehand symbol Click on the enclosure at any desired position. After the delete confirmation dialog, it is removed together with all items it contains. The navigator deletion function can also be used for unibody type enclosures.

Select enclosure | Right-click | Delete

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Placing and modifying enclosures External enclosure templates

4.3 External enclosure templates

4.3.1 Creating an enclosure template from a drawing When placing enclosures, you can either choose a model from the database or look in an enclosure template.

A enclosure template is a fully or partly fitted enclosure, or a enclosure component, stored in a separate drawing. To create an enclosure template, the drawing must contain a minimum of one component.

Saving a drawing as an enclosure template A enclosure template does not belong to a project; instead, it is a separate template that can be incorporated into a project. Create Create enclosure template from drawing In drawing, draw an enclosure (or insert one from a database or another template) or a component such as a mounting panel. The cabinet or panel can be unpopulated or it can be fitted with other components. Alternatively, you can import a model using a 3D interface such as SAT. Note: As with all enclosure items and graphical macros, an enclosure template must be correctly aligned. Use the "Elements - Align item" function to rotate the model to a position where the front side can be correctly seen (see: "Aligning your own enclosure item").

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Placing and modifying enclosures External enclosure templates

Now create a template from your drawing: External enclosure templates Create template from drawing In the Navigator, the drawing is displayed under an EPLAN Cabinet node as an enclosure drawing containing a cabinet component:

On this component, specify one or more mounting panels (see Specifying mounting panels in enclosure templates). Save the drawing in the directory @:\ECD Triga4\Cabinet_Templates.

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Placing and modifying enclosures External enclosure templates Now load a project. To use the template, incorporate it into your project, go to the Project Wizard menu and choose Add template drawing to current project. Project Wizard | Add template drawing to current project You can now use the template when you place an enclosure in your drawing. Place Select and place enclosure from database

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Placing and modifying enclosures External enclosure templates

4.3.2 Specifying mounting panels in enclosure templates A mounting panel is an area for mounting other components. Specifying a mounting panel turns a graphical surface into a logical surface that is integrated into the EPLAN Cabinet hierarchy. It is then available for manipulation by special EPLAN Cabinet activation, display and placement commands. External Enclosure Templates Define mounting area [Ctrl]-click to pick the surface you want. The surface is highlighted and you can name the component and the surface in a dialogue.

ID/Text (Component) ID Selection of pre-set names designating the template component as a whole. An ID must be chosen or at least left as the default ID of "Cabinet component" because it is used to identify the part in the components database and elsewhere. Text The user-defined name entered here is shown in the Navigator and as a designation in drawing views.

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Placing and modifying enclosures External enclosure templates

ID/Text (Mounting area) ID This identifies the surface of the template component on which devices can be mounted. An ID must be chosen or at least left as the default ID of "Cabinet component" because it is used to identify the part in the components database and elsewhere. Text The user-defined name entered here is shown in the Navigator and as a designation in drawing views. Click [OK] to assign the specifications to the template component. The ID/text hierarchy is shown in the Navigator:

In this example, a enclosure template Platte3 ("Panel 3") is made up of a mounting panel Meine Platte ("My panel") with one active mounting area, Platte oben ("Panel top"). The names are also shown when the template is inserted in a project:

Editing a mounting panel The items under "Component" can be modified at any time. Right-click the component and choose "Define component" on the context menu. Choose the "Move" item on the menu if you want to move the mounting panel by specifying an offset to the right, upward or forward.

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Placing and modifying enclosures External enclosure templates

4.3.2.1

Field size

The "field size" determines the size of a field (such as a mounting panel) from a manufacturing point of view. It does not matter whether the mounting panel or other component is placed in the drilling machine with or without fitted parts. The field size tells the machine the size of the component being processed. The command works the same as "Space available for population".

4.3.2.2

Space available for population

For a given area (such as a mounting panel or a door), the "space available for population" is the area on which components can be mounted. This is normally the entire area (such as the entire mounting panel). Use this command if you want to change this so reduce the area available for mounting components. First, make certain that only the affected area is active. On the component"s Navigator node, choose "Space available for population". Two vertical and two horizontal lines are displayed, representing the space available.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying enclosures External enclosure templates Tap one of the lines to move it and adjust the available space:

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates

4.4 Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates Users often want to supplement the enclosures provided in the EPLAN Cabinet database and in RiCAD 3D with their own enclosure models. Custom enclosures can be added manually to the EPLAN Cabinet database, but this method is not suitable if you want to incorporate a detailed enclosure model from another system. For such cases, EPLAN Cabinet has commands for importing models and integrating them with the EPLAN Cabinet database.

Requirements To import a custom model into EPLAN Cabinet, you need: •

EPLAN Cabinet

•

3D interface

•

3D model of the enclosure

Custom enclosures models can be imported into EPLAN Cabinet version 4.2 or later. The models must be in a supported 3D data format. Formats supported by EPLAN Cabinet: •

SAT (interface included in EPLAN Cabinet)

•

DWG (interface included in EPLAN Cabinet)

•

STEP (interface has to be purchased separately)

Note: The available information on an imported enclosure depends on the software used to create it. Only what is exported (into a file) will later be available for use in EPLAN Cabinet.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates

4.4.1 Importing a 3D enclosure model Copy the 3D model file to your drawing directory, Z. You may want to create a subdirectory for the purpose (e.g. "3D models"). Example: This example uses a file called Schaltschrank1.stp, containing a model of an enclosure in STEP format. The file is in a subdirectory, "Z:3D Modelle\". Start EPLAN Cabinet and, on the menu, choose FILE - OPEN.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates Change the file type to "*.stp (STEP)".

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EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates Double-click the "3D Modelle" directory to open it, then select the STEP file you want.

Choose [Open].

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates In the standard sheet dialogue parameters, just click [OK] without making any changes.

EPLAN Cabinet will now create a new drawing and import the enclosure model. This may take some time depending on the size, detail and scope of the model. When "Select function" is displayed on the status bar, EPLAN Cabinet has finished opening the model. In the Navigator, double-click "Isometric 1 (ISO)" under "Viewpoints" to display the enclosure.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates

The Navigator also shows the individual solids that make up the enclosure. In this example, these are three parameterless components (an enclosure and two mounting panels).

EPLAN Cabinet has now finished importing the custom enclosure.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates Save the drawing (e.g. in "Z:\3D Modelle").

Note: This is not yet a finished EPLAN Cabinet enclosure. The drawing saved here is only an intermediate stage.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates

4.4.2 Correcting the orientation of the enclosure When they are first imported, all solids have the same orientation in 3D space as they had in the program used to create the model. You will probably need to correct the enclosure"s orientation for EPLAN Cabinet. In the example, the enclosure is rotated 180° from where it should be. The rear panel and mounting panel are currently at the front. This must be corrected before going on any further. In this example, the enclosure must be rotated through 180° about the Z-axis. Note: A different model might require different treatment. The corrections needed depend on the model and the conditions that applied when it was exported from the program it was made in. Choose the Rotate command on the menu by selecting Edit - Sketches/Models Rotate.

Edit | Sketches/Models | Rotate

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates First, select the rotation axis. A suitable axis in our example is the right-hand vertical edge of the enclosure. To select this edge, press and hold down the CTRL key, point at the edge and click once.

Type "180" for the rotation angle in this example.

Now to select the elements to be rotated. These are the two solids in our example (the enclosure is one solid and the two mounting panels are two instances of the other).

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EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates Using rectangle selection mode, select the elements you want.

Click inside the rectangle to confirm your selection.

If you are happy with the selection, choose [Yes].

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates All solids in the example are rotated to their proper orientation in 3D space.

Save the drawing in its current form.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates

4.4.3 Creating an enclosure template from an imported model The various solids in the drawing are not yet enclosure components: they are just solids without any logical information. The drawing itself is not yet an EPLAN Cabinet enclosure drawing. We will now do something about this. Note: In the next step, the drawing will be made into an enclosure drawing and all solids in it will become components of the enclosure. Because this step cannot be undone, you should first save your drawing in its current form so that you can come back to this point at any time. Choose the Create Template command. External enclosure templates Create template from drawing or sketch Components | External enclosures | Create template

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates

The changes are displayed straight away in the drawing, with shading enabled. The separate solids are automatically made into enclosure components and so take on the transparency settings specified for such components in the EPLAN Cabinet parameters. The enclosure object hierarchy is automatically displayed in the Navigator (you may need to refresh the Navigator to see it). In our example, the result is the three enclosure components in "Schaltschrank1".

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates

4.4.4 Specifying enclosure components First of all, you can rename the enclosure. To do this, right-click the enclosure in the Navigator and choose "Cabinet - Name".

Once you have changed the name, choose [OK].

So far, three "general" enclosure components are specified in the example. In reality, they are an enclosure and two mounting panels. We will next designate the two mounting panels in the example. Select the lower component in the Navigator. Note: Selecting a component in the Navigator also selects the corresponding solid in the drawing.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates

Right-click the component to open the context menu, and choose "Define component".

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EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates Under "Mounting part ID", select the type of component - "mounting panel" in our example. You can also enter a descriptive name under which the component will be stored.

In the case of a mounting panel, the two surfaces available for population are designated automatically.

Note: Space available for population For a given surface (like a mounting panel or a door), the "space available for population" is the area where components can be mounted. This is normally the entire surface (for example an entire mounting panel). Use this command if you want to change this and reduce the area available for mounting components.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates Right-click the mounting panel in the Navigator and choose "Space available for population".

The straight lines at the top, bottom, left and right mark out the space available for population. To restrict the available space further, click one of the lines, move it and click again to fix it in its new location.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates

Tip: Before you use this command, rotate the drawing to view the mounting panel from the front. This makes it easier to see what is going on as you work.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates

Note: Field size The "field size" determines the size of a routing field (such as a mounting panel) from a manufacturing point of view. It does not matter whether the mounting panel or other component is placed in the drilling machine with or without fitted parts. The field size tells the machine the size of the component being processed. The command works the same as "Space available for population". Right-click the mounting panel in the Navigator and choose "Field size". Specify the field size as described above. Once you have specified the space available for population and the field size, the component is fully defined and ready for use in EPLAN Cabinet. This is indicated in the Navigator by the black boxes around the symbols for the mounting panels.

Now repeat for the second mounting panel in our example. The result looks like this:

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EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates We will now deal with the enclosure. Right-click to open the context menu, and select "Define component".

First, select "Enclosure" for the type of component under Component ID. Now type a description. Choose [OK].

With an enclosure, unlike a mounting panel, the mounting areas are not automatically designated. The next step is to identify these manually. Various parts of an enclosure (such as the top, side, rear and bottom panels) can be made available for mounting components. Note: In our example, we will specify the right side panel and the top. The same procedure applies for all surfaces.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates To specify mounting areas: On the toolbar, select the Define Mounting Area command. External enclosure templates Define mounting area Components | External enclosures | Define mounting area Note: Surfaces must be visible - and so capable of being selected - for them to be made into mounting areas. If the surfaces you want are not visible, select an appropriate view of the enclosure before selecting this command. Select the command and click the top panel of the enclosure.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates

The panel is highlighted so you can verify your selection. The component type has been specified earlier, which is why the Component ID section is already filled in. It also already has a description. Note: The ID and description can be altered at this point if required.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates Now specify the mounting area and type in a description for it. The description is displayed in the Navigator.

Choose [OK].

Specify the space available for population and the field size for the new mounting area, as described earlier.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates Repeat for the right-hand side panel.

The result looks like this:

All required mounting areas are now specified.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates

4.4.5 Specifying an origin for the enclosure So that the enclosure can be precisely placed in drawings, its append point for placement must be carefully specified. The append point is specified as the origin of the enclosure drawing. The append point of an enclosure should always be at the bottom left of the rear panel. To specify the append point: View Rotate view •

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Rotate the view so you can see the bottom left corner of the rear panel.

EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates

View Zoom •

Zoom in on the corner you want.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates •

Select the corner by using point search (with no command active). The coordinate system is moved to the corner. Note: "Point search" means press and hold the left mouse button until the point is selected.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates •

On the menu, choose Elements | Drawing Origin.

•

Use point search to select the corner you want.

•

Press [RETURN] to confirm the selected origin.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates

4.4.6 Saving an enclosure as a template The enclosure is almost finished. The final step is to make it available to EPLAN Cabinet for use as an enclosure template.

Project Wizard | Save current drawing as template File | Project Wizard | Save current drawing as template Open the Project Wizard. Select the "Save current drawing as template" option.

Choose "OK". EPLAN Cabinet automatically opens the appropriate directory. Type a name for the template drawing.

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Placing and modifying enclosures Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates Choose [Save]. The new enclosure is immediately available for use in EPLAN Cabinet projects. The enclosure can be: •

Placed like a "normal" enclosure using the "Place enclosure" command.

•

Used as a template for new projects.

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Placing and modifying enclosures RiCAD 3D enclosures

4.5 RiCAD 3D enclosures RiCAD 3D is a program provided by Rittal for integrating Rittal CAD data into a design drawing. EPLAN Cabinet is closely integrated with RiCAD 3D. The TS8, CM and AE enclosure series from the RiCAD 3D catalogue can be used in EPLAN Cabinet. You can select an enclosure straight from the catalogue and insert it in an EPLAN Cabinet project. The Rittal accessories included in the RiCAD 3D catalogue cannot yet be incorporated into EPLAN Cabinet.

The following RiCAD 3D enclosures can be used in EPLAN Cabinet projects: •

AE compact enclosures

•

CM compact system enclosures

•

TS8 modular enclosures

•

TS8 configurator

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Placing and modifying enclosures RiCAD 3D enclosures

4.5.1 Installing RiCAD 3D 4.5.1.1

Running RiCAD 3D from CD

RiCAD 3D is supplied on a CD. There is no installation routine. The program does not need to be installed. You simply insert the CD and start work. This has the advantage that you can insert and use the CD as needed. The downside is that every user needs a CD or has to share one with others.

4.5.1.2

Running RiCAD 3D from hard disk

The contents of the RiCAD 3D can be copied to any hard disk directory. The program can then be run from that directory at any time. This has the advantage that every network user can have direct access to the same data. It also drastically reduces the administrative effort of installing updates. To copy the RiCAD 3D to hard disk: •

Insert the RiCAD 3D CD. If the program automatically opens, close it.

•

Open Windows Explorer and click your CD drive.

•

Select the entire contents of the RiCAD 3D CD and then choose Edit -Copy.

•

Create a new directory on a network drive or on your hard disk, for example Q:\RiCAD3D.

•

Click the new directory, and choose Edit - Insert. Windows will now copy the entire contents of the CD to the new directory.

•

Switch to (or start) EPLAN Cabinet and select the parameter settings under Information/Security - EPLAN Cabinet Parameters.

•

Choose the Eplan tab.

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Placing and modifying enclosures RiCAD 3D enclosures

•

Change the RiCAD 3D parameter to the new directory.

Click [OK] to save the new parameter setting. Repeat this parameter setting on all workstations.

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Placing and modifying enclosures RiCAD 3D enclosures

4.5.2 Using RiCAD 3D data There are three ways to access enclosure data in order to insert an enclosure in EPLAN Cabinet: •

Enclosure from the EPLAN Cabinet database

•

Enclosure from a template

•

Enclosure from the RiCAD 3D enclosures catalogue

These options are available whether you are creating a new EPLAN Cabinet project or inserting an enclosure into an existing project. When you select the placement command, the first option in the dialogue specifies the number of enclosures you want to insert:

Next, click the [RICAD 3D] button To select and place a RiCAD 3D enclosure.

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Placing and modifying enclosures RiCAD 3D enclosures

A dialogue opens for you to specify the placement mode and row spacing:

To choose freely where to place the enclosure, select "Place enclosure user defined" and specify a placement point. Alternatively, choose the "baying enclosure left" or "baying enclosure right" options to place one or more enclosures (as specified in "Quantity") so they are next to each other. Note: Enter the value for the spacing by hand. In the status bar, you are prompted to click the enclosure or profile. The placement point is always the bottom left rear corner of the enclosure. Specify the placement point. RiCAD 3D now starts up.

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Placing and modifying enclosures RiCAD 3D enclosures

The next step is to select an enclosure.

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Placing and modifying enclosures RiCAD 3D enclosures

4.5.3 Finding an enclosure in RiCAD 3D There are several ways to find and select an enclosure:

•

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Browse catalogue

EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying enclosures RiCAD 3D enclosures

•

Classes

•

Favourites

Note: To create a favourite, right-click an enclosure in the hierarchy.

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Placing and modifying enclosures RiCAD 3D enclosures

•

History

•

Search

Type a search expression (for example a name) and click [Search].

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Placing and modifying enclosures RiCAD 3D enclosures The search results are shown in the lower area. The search result is a list of objects matching the type of search:

To select one of the enclosures, double-click it in the list. RiCAD 3D then does calculations on the selected model and displays a further selection:

The upper area shows all enclosures of the selected model. If you want to narrow down the selection, there are various ways to do so:

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Placing and modifying enclosures RiCAD 3D enclosures The main ways of filtering the selection are as follows:

•

Filtering by column headings

Simply click a column heading. For example, if you want to select an enclosure by its width, click the column heading W for Width.

You can now filter the selection to show all enclosures matching a specific width or width range. You can also specify the sort order.

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Placing and modifying enclosures RiCAD 3D enclosures Click [OK] to sort and redisplay the list. The current filter is displayed in the column heading.

A number of different filters can be combined:

To remove a filter, right-click the column-heading.

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Placing and modifying enclosures RiCAD 3D enclosures

•

Filtering by individual values

Click a value, for example W = 800.

The list is filtered and sorted. The current filter is displayed in the column heading. Filter criteria can be combined. To remove a filter, right-click the column-heading.

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Placing and modifying enclosures RiCAD 3D enclosures

4.5.4 Additional information on RiCAD 3D enclosure models Additional information is available on the enclosure models in RiCAD 3D. To display it, click [PDF Catalogue]. Note: To use this feature, you need to have Acrobat Reader installed.

Information on the selected product is displayed from the Rittal manual.

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Placing and modifying enclosures RiCAD 3D enclosures

4.5.5 Detail level for displaying parts in RiCAD 3D You have the option of specifying a detail level in RiCAD 3D. Simply click the box provided for the purpose:

The available detail levels are low, medium and high.

Note: Parts are currently always transferred to EPLAN Cabinet at "low" detail, regardless of the setting in RiCAD 3D.

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Placing and modifying enclosures RiCAD 3D enclosures

4.5.6 Transferring an enclosure to EPLAN Cabinet Once you have filtered the selection, you can select the enclosure you want. To do this, simply click the appropriate line number.

The selected enclosure is shown in various views in the lower portion of the screen.

All views can be enlarged in the usual way. Additionally details can be made visible when required.

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Placing and modifying enclosures RiCAD 3D enclosures

To transfer the enclosure to EPLAN Cabinet, choose Export - Export on the menu or click the Export button. The system automatically returns to EPLAN Cabinet to insert the selected enclosure.

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Placing and modifying enclosures RiCAD 3D enclosures

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Placing and modifying enclosures RiCAD 3D enclosures Note: As well as importing a graphical representation of the enclosure, EPLAN Cabinet also integrates it into its component hierarchy. That is, the enclosure is given logical data that identifies it as an enclosure, and its components are tagged and treated as enclosure components. EPLAN Cabinet can automatically tell the difference between a mounting panel, a door, a profile, etc. The hierarchy is displayed in the Navigator:

You can work with an enclosure imported from RiCAD 3D exactly as you do with any other enclosure from the EPLAN Cabinet database. A RiCAD 3D enclosure has the major advantage, however, of being far more detailed and its data having been provided directly by the manufacturer.

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Placing and modifying structural components

5

Placing and modifying structural components ......... 5-2

5.1

Placing a mounting panel.......................................................... 5-3

5.1.1 5.1.2

Modifying mounting panels after placement ........................................... 5-8 Insert mounting panel infill...................................................................... 5-9

5.2

Placing a mounting rail............................................................ 5-10

5.2.1 5.2.2

Creating mounting rails in parallel ........................................................ 5-14 Editing a mounting rail .......................................................................... 5-19

5.3

Placing a duct ........................................................................... 5-20

5.3.1 5.3.2

Selecting voltage types......................................................................... 5-24 Editing a duct ........................................................................................ 5-25

5.4

Placing a cable clamp rail........................................................ 5-26

5.5

Placing busbar systems .......................................................... 5-29

5.6

Placing a variable rail............................................................... 5-31

5.7

Creating custom enclosure parts ........................................... 5-32

5.7.1 5.7.2

Setting a drawing origin for user-defined parts ..................................... 5-34 Aligning a user-defined part.................................................................. 5-34

5.8

Placing a user-specified component...................................... 5-35

5.9

Place user-defined holes......................................................... 5-37

5.10

Changing the length of components ..................................... 5-41

5.11

Moving a structural component ............................................. 5-43

5.12

Copying a construction item................................................... 5-45

5.13

Moving an item to an active level ........................................... 5-45

EPLAN Cabinet

5-1

Placing and modifying structural components Placing a mounting panel

5 Placing and modifying structural components Structural components are elements that support and provide routing for electrical components and cables. They include: •

Enclosures

•

Mounting rails

•

Ducts

•

Cable brackets

•

Busbar systems

•

Variable rails

•

Custom components

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing a mounting panel

5.1 Placing a mounting panel There is no need to activate a component before placing a mounting panel. A mounting panel is assigned to the enclosure and by default is placed at the bottom left of the rear panel. Placement Place mounting panel Components | Mounting panel Tap or stroke the cabinet or a profile belonging to the cabinet to select it for placement of the mounting panel. Then specify the model and position of the mounting panel in the dialogue.

The [Panel] button opens a list of mounting panels in the database for selection. Click the panel you want to select it. This selects the entire row.

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing a mounting panel

Click [OK] to select the panel. The model is inserted in the placement dialogue.

Placement options

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing a mounting panel Location Default:

Pre-set location on all standard enclosures (always at rear).

Behind:

On the rear panel

Left:

On the left side panel

Right:

On the right side panel

Position The exact position relative to the placement point at bottom left can be specified using the X, Y and Z offsets: •

Offset towards right

•

Offset towards front

•

Offset towards top

Example The figures show mounting panels placed with different offsets. Mounting panel placed with To right = 0 To front = 0 To top = 0

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5-5

Placing and modifying structural components Placing a mounting panel Mounting panel placed with To right = 500 To front = 0 To top = 0

Mounting panel placed with To right = 250 To front = 100 To top = 0

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing a mounting panel Mounting panel placed with To right = 250 To front = 0 To top = 100

Mounting panels with location left and right

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing a mounting panel

5.1.1 Modifying mounting panels after placement A mounting panel"s properties and parameters can be modified at any time after placement. Right-click the mounting panel in your drawing and choose "Edit parameters".

Drawing | Right-click mounting panel | Edit parameters Navigator | Right-click mounting panel | Edit parameters

Modifiable parameters: •

Panel model (select from database)

•

Location

•

X, Y and Z offsets

If there are other components on the mounting panel, they move with it when you change the location, angle or offset.

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing a mounting panel

5.1.2 Insert mounting panel infill Infills close the gaps between mounting panels on adjacent TS 8 enclosures. They can be fitted with parts like a normal mounting panel - including with parts that span multiple enclosures.

Navigator | right-click mounting panel | Mounting panel infill The space between the mounting panels on the adjacent TS 8 enclosures is calculated and an infill is inserted to close the gap. The front of the infill is flush with the mounting panels.

The infill is listed as an enclosure component in the Navigator. It can be edited by right-clicking it in the Navigator or the drawing. Define component This assigns the infill a part number that will appear in the parts list.

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing a mounting rail

5.2 Placing a mounting rail A mounting rail is usually attached to a mounting panel or a cabinet profile. Before placing one on a mounting panel or a side panel, activate the component it will be assigned to. Activate component and rotate view to show it front on, hiding all other components Activate component

Select and place component

Place mounting rail Components | Mounting rail The database contains various sizes of mounting rail. Click a record in the database browser to select the one you want.

There are two ways to activate a component: Edge To activate a component (to select it as the component on which the mounting rail will be placed), [Ctrl]-click one of its edges. Surface To activate a component, [Ctrl]-click one of its surfaces.

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing a mounting rail

Placement points Mounting rails are always placed vertically or horizontally. There are several ways to enter the first placement point: 1) Point for a point on a mounting panel or a cabinet profile or enter a userdefined point. 2) Construction Enter X and Y values relative to the selected reference point.

[Ctrl] pick parallel component If the mounting panel already features a mounting rail or a parallel duct, etc., you can place the new mounting rail parallel to it by [Ctrl] picking the existing component.

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing a mounting rail In either case, once you have entered the first point: •

Press [Return] to toggle the append point at the cursor from left to middle to right:

•

Enter a user-defined second point or choose one by ing:

•

Or enter a number to specify the length of the mounting rail:

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing a mounting rail The mounting rail is placed on the active mounting panel.

Isometric view of the rail:

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5-13

Placing and modifying structural components Placing a mounting rail

5.2.1 Creating mounting rails in parallel The ability to place mounting rails in parallel to existing parts means you can very quickly fit a mounting panel with precisely placed rows of mounting rails.

Place mounting rail Components | Mounting rail Select the mounting rail you want from the database.

Click [OK] to confirm your selection. Press and hold the [Ctrl] key and tap a rail to use its length and position. The new rail can now be moved with the cursor. You can specify a placement point manually or determine it by entering a distance. You can also change the append point for the new rail (right-left-middle).

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing a mounting rail

Calculation of spacing A parameter specifies how the spacing is measured: •

Between centres

•

Between edges

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing a mounting rail

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing a mounting rail

Placing a mounting rail centred between parallel components Pick a second parallel component (this can also be a duct or another rail) to place a new rail exactly centred between it and the first one. First point [Ctrl]-tap an edge of the first rail.

Second point [Ctrl]-tap an edge of the second parallel rail.

The new rail is placed in the middle between the two.

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing a mounting rail

Isometric view

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing a mounting rail

5.2.2 Editing a mounting rail There are two ways to modify a mounting rail: •

Modify the length using "Modify component length"

•

Changing the model by choosing a different one from the database Right-click mounting rail | Edit parameters

Choose a different model in the database browser. Click [OK] to replace the mounting rail with the selected model.

Parameters for manufacturing For additional processing of the mounting rails like for instance drilling, manufacturing information can be assigned to the mounting rails. Right-click mounting rail | Info Drilling The mounting rail is included when generating drilling views and drilling diagrams.

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing a duct

5.3 Placing a duct Before placing a duct, you need to activate the component it will be assigned to. Activate component and rotate view to show it front on, hiding all other components Activate component

Select and place component

Place duct Components | Duct Ducts are drawn in the same way as mounting rails. The same features apply: •

Select a model in the database browser

•

for a point or enter a user-defined point

•

Use [Return] to toggle the append point between middle/left/right

•

for a second point or enter a user-defined point

•

Alternatively enter a number to specify a length

•

[Ctrl]-tap a component to create parallel copies (use [Return] to toggle the append point)

•

[Ctrl]-tap two parallel components to place a duct between them

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing a duct

Placement on a free area This placement mode interrupts the placement process for an active item until you either switch back to this item or end the placement function. Activate the "On free area" placement option in the database browser. You are then requested to identify an area by clicking. This can be (e.g.) a side floor profile. After this, enter the two end points. The item is placed in the level of the selected area.

Permissible voltage types The voltage types can be entered via the Extras - Settings, Routing tab.

The texts entered here can be saved for the active project or defined as default settings for new projects. See: "Selecting voltage types", "Parameter settings: Routing"

Drawing with ducts Select the duct you want in the database browser.

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing a duct

Ducts should be positioned slightly inward from the components they are mounted on to avoid overlaps and collisions. To ensure this, use relative reference points: Press and hold [Alt Gr] and tap the top left corner of the rear panel. A coordinate cross is displayed there. For the first placement point, enter the relative coordinates X = 60 and Y = -60.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Press [Return] to switch the append point to the right so that the duct is definitely inside the enclosure. Set down the second point at a suitable distance from the bottom edge.

Placing and modifying structural components Placing a duct For the next duct, press and hold the [Ctrl] key and tap the first to create a parallel copy.

Switch the append point to the right and use the top right corner of the rear panel as a relative reference point with x = -60, Y = -60.

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing a duct Complete the structure with a crosslink between the two vertical ducts (append point at left).

5.3.1

The isometric view shows the ducts on the mounting panel between the surrounding profiles.

Selecting voltage types

You can select the text identifiers for voltage types to be displayed with the cable duct item information and with the routing display path information, when placing the cable ducts. All texts defined in the Settings - Routing tab for the current project, or system-wide, are available for selection. Activate the option by selecting the desired value. [Select all]

Enable all defined values for this duct

[Select none]

Deactivate all defined values for this duct

The dialog remains active until the function is exited. See: "Parameter settings: Routing", "Show paths"

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EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying structural components Placing a duct

5.3.2 Editing a duct There are two ways to modify a duct: •

Modify the length using "Modify component length"

•

Changing the model by choosing a different one from the database Right-click duct | Edit parameters

Choose a different model in the database browser. Click [OK] to replace the duct with the selected model.

Parameters for manufacturing For further processing of cable ducts with routing and drilling, manufacturing information can be assigned to the ducts. Right-click cable duct | Info Drilling The cable duct is included when generating drilling views and drilling diagrams. Virtual Virtual cable ducts are shown in the drawing as slightly transparent and in a different color (definable in the parameter manager), but are not shown in the mounting diagram with a cable duct, but rather with (e.g.) cable ties etc. They are taken into account as paths when routing but are not drilled and not shown in parts lists. Do not use for routing The duct is excluded from wire assignments, length determinations and path displays. Shown very transparent. Permitted for voltage types The duct is permitted for the voltage ranges defined on placement of the cable duct or under Settings - Routing.

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing a cable clamp rail

5.4 Placing a cable clamp rail

Place cable clamp rail The cable clamp rail model is selectable in the database. These components are used to relieve strain on cables and can be fitted at various places in a cabinet. The placement method differs according to the location: •

On a mounting panel (placement on current component)

•

On a user-specified plane

Placement on the current component Activate the component you want, for example the mounting panel. Activate component and rotate view to show it front on, hiding all other components Activate component Place the cable clamp rail by entering two points (1) or [Ctrl]-tap a parallel component (2).

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EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying structural components Placing a cable clamp rail

Placement on a user-specified plane In the database browser, select the "free" placement option. You are prompted to tap a surface, for example a floor profile on one side. Finally, enter the two endpoints for the clamp rail. The clamp rail is placed in the same plane as the specified surface.

Parallel copies When creating parallel copies, the clamp rail can only be moved in the current range.

The append point at the cursor is in the middle and can be toggled between middle, left and right by pressing [Return]. Enter a point to place the clamp rail.

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing a cable clamp rail Alternatively, instead of entering a placement point, enter a spacing value. The next clamp rail is then displayed at the specified distance.

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing busbar systems

5.5 Placing busbar systems Before placing a busbar system, you need to activate the component it will be assigned to. Activate component and rotate view to show it front on, hiding all other components Activate component

Select and place component

Place busbar As busbars cannot be placed with an offset input, it is important to set the placement points very exactly, so by other existing points (tap and briefly hold the left mouse button). A busbar is placed similarly to a mounting rail: •

Select a model in the database browser

•

Enter point 1

•

Use [Return] to toggle the append point between middle/left/right

•

Enter point 2 to place the busbar at a user-specified location

•

Or enter a length

•

Stroke a first parallel component to accept its orientation and length

•

Stroke a second parallel component to place the busbar in the middle between the two

Once it has been placed, a busbar system"s parameters can no longer be modified, but it can be moved and its length can be changed.

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5-29

Placing and modifying structural components Placing busbar systems

Busbar placed on mounting rail

Isometric view of busbar

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Placing and modifying structural components Placing a variable rail

5.6 Placing a variable rail Variable rails are individually formed components that can be used to place a rail of (almost) any desired profile or in any desired length. The basic contour can be generated as a 2D drawing in the graphical editor and equipped with internal logic (rail guides and placement levels for components). The contour drawing contains a closed contour composed of lines and arcs. Internal contours, which are generated or cut out on placement, are also possible. As with all macro drawings, the contour is saved under its drawing name in the GRAPHICMACROS directory. See the chapter "Creating and using variable rails" for creating and assigning drawings for variable rails.

Placing Items | Variable rails Items toolbar Placement on an active item Activate the desired item, e.g. the mounting panel. Activate the item and rotate it into view, hide the other items Activate the item Place the variable rail by entering two points. Placement on a free area This placement mode interrupts the placement process for an active item until you either switch back to this item or end the placement function. Select the "On free area" placement option in the database browser for variable rails. You are then requested to identify an area by clicking. After this, enter the two end points of the rail. The rail is placed in the level of the selected area. Variable rails can accept items after having been placed, similar to mounting rails. They can be moved, removed and recreated. A warning displays if the length is changed retroactively, and if confirmed, all items on the rail are deleted.

EPLAN Cabinet

5-31

Placing and modifying structural components Creating custom enclosure parts

5.7

Creating custom enclosure parts

Custom enclosure parts begin as 3D drawings containing only the geometry of a solid without EPLAN Cabinet logic and created outside of the EPLAN Cabinet project hierarchy, for example in the graphical editor or in an MCAD system like Autodesk Inventor. The Specify Custom Parts command allows drawings of this kind to be used in EPLAN Cabinet. •

The command prepares a separately opened drawing for use as an EPLAN Cabinet part.

•

Contact surfaces are specified for use when placing the part in drawings.

•

Mounting layers are specified for use when placing components and devices on the custom part.

Before creating your own item, leave the graphical editor and work in cabinet mode. Load the drawing via File - Open. Then start the creation function. Components | Create | Enclosure part

Define item Enter a name in the item definition dialog, which will later serve to place the item into Cabinet drawings and which identifies it in the navigator. The "Part number" field can initially remain empty. The placed item can be edited later via "Define item" and assigned a new or different part number. If the drawing has already been assigned as a graphical macro to a mechanical item in the parts management, you may enter the part number assigned to it in the definition. Click [OK].

Define contact area The dialog for defining the contact area appears. Select all areas where the body is to be placed and where other items and devices are to be placed later. The following surfaces can be activated for this purpose. Click [OK].

Check function in the navigator When expanding the structure of the item drawing in the navigator you will see that a cabinet level has been created; below it the body with the name you assigned will show, and the defined contact areas below it.

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Placing and modifying structural components Creating custom enclosure parts

Defining additional mounting surfaces You can retroactively define further areas of the body as mounting surfaces for equipping with other components. Item | Create | Mounting surface Hold down the [Ctrl] key and left-click the desired area. The item definition dialog appears, and you can select a usage ID for this area from the drop-down list, e.g. "Inside floor". Enter the same text into the "Text" field as a designation for the navigator; you may also choose to overwrite it and assign your own designation. Click [OK]. The additional mounting surface will now also show in the navigator. The right-click pop-up menu functions are available for all defined areas, allowing you to •

edit the level

•

define the field size

•

define the equipping size

•

activate the level

•

show or hide the level

Specifying a mounting level for processing on an NC machine To make certain that a user-defined mounting level is processed on an NC machine, the mounting level should be assigned a special ID. A specific "Mounting level NC front" option is included for this purpose in the drop-down list. When exporting to the NC data format, mounting levels with this ID are given priority. Like all NC-relevant levels, the field size must be correctly specified. The rear side must also be identified as a "mounting level". During data export, the rear side, if specified, is determined automatically so that any rear-side holes are drilled.

Saving an item This completes the definition of your own item. Save the drawing in the directory containing your graphical macros, so that the item may be accessed for placement directly from there.

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5-33

Placing and modifying structural components Creating custom enclosure parts

5.7.1

Setting a drawing origin for user-defined parts

All parts that can be placed in a drawing must have a specified origin. This is the point by which a part is moved at the cursor and inserted in a Cabinet drawing. There are three commands for setting the origin in a part drawing:

Elements | Drawing origin | 3D point Elements | Drawing origin | Project 3D point onto surface Elements | Drawing origin | Project 3D point onto floor 3D point The origin can be placed anywhere in 3D space, regardless of the current position of the working plane. Press [Return] to confirm. Project 3D point onto surface Click a surface of the solid and then the origin. The origin is projected onto the selected surface if it is not on the surface to start with. Press [Return] to confirm. Project 3D point onto floor Places the origin on the bottom surface, even if it is specified at a top corner or on a top surface. Press [Return] to confirm.

5.7.2

Aligning a user-defined part

Use the Align command to rotate a user-defined enclosure part outside of the Graphical Editor into the orientation required for insertion in the drawing.

Elements | Align part The part is rotated in 90 degree increments about the specified drawing origin. Select the rotation axis (X, Y or Z) in the dialogue. The selected axis is shown elongated in the drawing. Click the [Rotate] button to rotate the part through 90 degrees. Click [OK] to finish.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying structural components Placing a user-specified component

5.8 Placing a user-specified component User-specified components are specified in EPLAN Cabinet and are part of the project hierarchy. They are represented in the drawing as a 3D CAD object by a graphical macro. Typical uses are screws, bearings, eyelets, supports, struts, etc.

Component | User-defined component Placement toolbar Make the necessary entries in the dialogue. The graphical macro must exist as a drawing object; if none is entered, a rectangular solid with the specified dimensions is placed.

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5-35

Placing and modifying structural components Placing a user-specified component

Placement options Placement mode

Change active component • Edge • Surface • User-specified surface

Corrections

• Horizontal offset • Vertical offset • Mounting depth

Append point

• Bottom/middle/top • Left/middle/right

Collision checking

Can be disabled if needed. User-specified components can then be placed on top of and inside each other.

Placing The component moves with the cursor and can be placed at any point within the current plane. Because it is part of the project hierarchy, it is included in any movement of the enclosure or component on which it is mounted. User-specified component after placement (strut on rear of door)

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EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying structural components Place user-defined holes

5.9

Place user-defined holes

User-defined holes are openings in structural parts. The openings can have various shapes and diameters. You need to activate a part before you can add an opening. Placement User-defined holes Components | User-defined holes User-defined holes are available in various shapes: •

Round hole

•

Thread

•

Rectangle with subtypes right angle, chamfered and filleted

•

Slot

•

Hexagon

•

Octagon

•

Contour

Enter the parameters in the dialogue according to the selected type of hole.

Parameters for "round hole" type Diameter Diameter of the round hole Append point Choice of nine points; default: centre-centre

Parameters for "threaded" type Diameter Thread diameter Append point Choice of nine points; default: centre-centre

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5-37

Placing and modifying structural components Place user-defined holes

Parameters for "rectangle" type, "right angle" subtype Height Height of rectangle in mm Width Width of rectangle in mm Angle Placement angle; any user-defined angle; default: 0° Append point Choice of nine points; default: centre-centre

Parameters for "rectangle" type, "chamfered (x45°)" subtype" Height Height of rectangle in mm Width Width of rectangle in mm Chamfer distance Distance between corner of edge line to chamfer line; chamfer angle is fixed at 45°. Angle Placement angle; any user-defined angle; default: 0° Append point Choice of nine points; default: centre-centre

Parameters for "rectangle" type, "filleted" subtype Height Height of rectangle in mm Width Width of rectangle in mm Corner radius Fillet radius; cannot be larger than height/2 or width/2. Angle Placement angle; any user-defined angle; default: 0°

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EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying structural components Place user-defined holes Append point Choice of nine points; default: centre-centre

Parameters for "slot" type Height = Diameter Height of slot or diameter of rounded ends in mm Length Length of slot between outer point of rounded ends in mm Angle Placement angle; any user-defined angle; default: 0° Append point Choice of nine points; default: centre-centre

Parameters for "hexagon" and "octagon" types Side length Length of a single side in mm Angle Placement angle; any user-defined angle; default: 0° Append point Choice of nine points; default: centre-centre

Parameters for "contour" type Contour name Selection of user-defined contours stored in the NC parts database Angle Placement angle; any user-defined angle; default: 0° Append point

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5-39

Placing and modifying structural components Place user-defined holes Choice of nine points; default: centre-centreTo place the hole, select a point on the active surface (e.g. mounting panel).

Example: Round hole Enter a diameter in the dialogue and click [OK]. Place the hole with the append point at the middle at the location you want on the active component.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying structural components Changing the length of components

5.10 Changing the length of components The "Change component lengths" command lengthens or shortens structural components such as mounting rails, ducts, cable clamp rails and busbars.

Change component lengths Edit | Change length Tap the component you want to select it. The modification always applies to the end nearest to where you select the component. There are two ways to modify the length of a component: •

By entering a point

•

By entering a number

Changing the length of a component by entering a point Pick the mounting rail by tapping the right-hand half of it. The right-hand end can now be modified.

Enter a point or use to find one. The component will be lengthened or shortened to the specified point.

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5-41

Placing and modifying structural components Changing the length of components

Changing the length of a component by entering a measurement in mm After picking the component, enter a positive number to lengthen it or a negative number to shorten it.

In this example, the component is shortened by the specified length of 100 mm.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying structural components Moving a structural component

5.11 Moving a structural component

Move components Edit | Move components The Move command moves a component by its append point in a user-specified direction (diagonally), in the X direction only, or in the Y direction only. Movements in X and Y can be specified by entering X and Y offsets.

Moving in a user-specified direction (diagonally) Tap the component you want to move.

The default direction of movement is vertical. Enter an end point for the movement operation or use to choose one. The component is moved so that its append point is at the specified end point.

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5-43

Placing and modifying structural components Moving a structural component

Movement in X or Y Tap the component you want to move. Pre-select the direction by typing X, Y or F (for "free") and press [Return] to confirm.

The cursor is now constrained to the selected direction. Now enter the distance by which you want to move the component.

The component is moved in the chosen direction by the specified distance.

Press F if you want to return to a user-specified direction.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying structural components Moving an item to an active level

5.12 Copying a construction item

Select the item in the navigator | Right-click | Move Select the item in the drawing | Right-click | Move The copy function generates a copy of the selected item and moves it relative to the item handle, parallel, to the alignment of the original. The X and Y offset values can be entered. The placement method, selection of the handle, and the entry of the clearance values are the same as with the "Move construction item" function.

5.13 Moving an item to an active level This function allows a construction item to be moved from its mounting location to another active level. All devices placed on this level are moved as well. The function is suitable for (e.g.) implementing completely equipped mounting rails with all devices in a single operation. Activate (non-exclusively) the desired area which the item is to be moved to before calling up the function. Then call up the function via the item pop-up menu.

Select the item in the navigator | Right-click | To active level Select the item in the drawing| Right-click | To active level The item is displayed as movable at the cursor in the active level. Use the [Return] key to switch the handle from midpoint to top or bottom. Enter a point to place the item at the desired position.

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5-45

Placing and modifying structural components Moving an item to an active level

5-46

EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying devices

6

Placing and modifying devices................................... 6-2

6.1

Placing and modifying a device................................................ 6-2

6.1.1 6.1.2 6.1.3 6.1.4

Using filters in the device browser .......................................................... 6-3 Changing the column display in the device browser............................... 6-5 Selecting devices in the device browser................................................. 6-6 Placement options when placing devices ............................................... 6-8

6.2

Inserting a universal part ........................................................ 6-12

6.2.1

Parts selection for universal items ........................................................ 6-14

6.3

Specifying a blocking surface ................................................ 6-16

6.4

Displaying device information ................................................ 6-17

6.4.1

Go to component in EPLAN.................................................................. 6-18

6.5

Modifying devices .................................................................... 6-19

6.5.1 6.5.2 6.5.3 6.5.4

Place devices again.............................................................................. 6-19 Adjusting the position of a device ......................................................... 6-20 Changing the location and plant designation/unit ID ............................ 6-21 Deleting devices ................................................................................... 6-22

EPLAN Cabinet

6-1

Placing and modifying devices Placing and modifying a device

6 Placing and modifying devices 6.1 Placing and modifying a device The electrical components that can be placed in an enclosure are determined in an EPLAN project and transferred to EPLAN Cabinet. The transferred information is listed in the device browser. This also has all the options needed for placing devices in drawings. Placement Place devices

The dialogue has three areas Filter Filters the list of devices by unit, location, identifier or mounting location; filter criteria can also be used in combination. Components List of all available devices in the project list or those matching the current filter. Placement options Settings for placement method, append point, offset, quantity, etc.

6-2

EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying devices Placing and modifying a device

6.1.1

Using filters in the device browser

The five filters in the device browser restricts the listing of available devices, terminals or terminal strips to ones that meet specific criteria such as a specific unit, location or identifier. Filter criteria can also be used in combination.

When you close the dialogue, any filter settings are discarded. The next time you open the dialogue again, all available parts will be listed.

Set filter Click the [Set filter] button. A dialogue opens for you to specify the filter criteria and how they are applied.

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6-3

Placing and modifying devices Placing and modifying a device Filter specification for device browser At the top of the dialogue, specify the filter criteria to be used in the Insert Device dialogue. The default criteria are unit, location, identifier and mounting location. You can specify any other criterion at any position in the filter specification. Click [OK] to apply the modifications to the placement dialogue. Example: You replace the mounting location in the filter specification with the manufacturer. The device browser then displays "Manufacturer" as a filter criterion under which you can select the name of a manufacturer. The list is restricted to devices that originate from the selected manufacturer and match the remaining three filter criteria. Prefilter At the bottom of the Filter Settings dialogue, you can specify up to three additional filter criteria. These restrict what is listed under each filter criterion in the device browser. It is not necessary to specifying a corresponding criterion for display at the top of the dialogue - if you don"t, the prefilter works in the background. •

In the left-hand selection box, select the filter criterion.

•

To the right, specify a value for the criterion.

•

In the middle, select the operation to apply with the criterion (equal or not equal to).

Example: In the left-hand selection box, you select the criterion "manufacturer". In the middle box, you select the operator "equals". In the right-hand box, you specify the value as "XXX". Click [OK]. The selection list for the Manufacturer filter criteria is now restricted to the name "XXX". Setting the prefilter as "Manufacturer", "Does not equal", "XXX" would make the selection list include all manufacturers except XXX. All filters are combined using a logical "and". This means if you enter several different expressions for the same criterion (for example, several manufacturer names for the "manufacturer" criterion), they will be mutually exclusive and will all be left out of the selection list.

No filters Click the [No filters] button to make the device browser ignore all filter settings and display all available devices.

6-4

EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying devices Placing and modifying a device

6.1.2

Changing the column display in the device browser

Not all device properties defined in Parts management will be necessary for the placement in EPLAN Cabinet. It may turn out that the number and width of the device browser columns no longer provide a clear display. Individual columns can be shown and hidden in order to improve the display.

Hiding a column in the device browser Hover the cursor over the side border of the column you wish to hide until a horizontal double-arrow appears. Drag the column to a width of (0) zero while holding down the left mouse button.

The column is no longer displayed in the device browser.

Showing a column in the device browser Right-click any column header. A menu showing all hidden columns displays. This also contains the column that was just hidden by dragging its width to (0) zero. Select the column you wish to show. The selected column shows in the device browser.

EPLAN Cabinet

6-5

Placing and modifying devices Placing and modifying a device

6.1.3

Selecting devices in the device browser

The middle area of the device browser lists all available devices in the project parts list or those which match the current filter. Devices that have already been placed in the drawing are no longer listed.

Tap the device you want to select it. Its parameters are copied to the bottom part of the dialogue. You can also choose multiple devices by holding down [Shift] or [Ctrl] as you select them. They will be placed in the order they are selected. A height, width and depth should be specified for each component in the parts database.

Geometry Width/height/depth Dimensions of the device [Accept] Writes the entered values for width, height, depth, and the graphical macro to the project parts list so that the device can be placed. These values can also be adopted in the Parts management database via a parameter setting in the EPLAN tab of the parameter manager. Graphical macro Name of the graphical drawing defining the device. If there is not a specific graphical macro, a default box is placed with the specified dimensions.

6-6

EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying devices Placing and modifying a device Grapical macro with texture When placing devices and universal parts in drawings, the name of an image file can be specified (e.g. IMG01.BMP) instead of the name of a graphical macro drawing. The image file must be in the graphical macros directory and be in a supported image format (BMP, GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, TIF or TIFF). A box is inserted in the drawing with the specified dimensions and the image on its front face.

Inserting/placing devices

Click [Insert devices]. The device selected in the list is displayed with the current placement options and can be moved around the screen. Enter a point to finally place it in the drawing. Placed devices are assigned to the active mounting plane. The hierarchy is shown in the Navigator.

EPLAN Cabinet

6-7

Placing and modifying devices Placing and modifying a device

6.1.4

Placement options when placing devices

Placement mode Before you place a device, it is possible to change the structural component (e.g. mounting rail) on which the device will be mounted. The "Insert device" dialogue specifies how the active component is selected. Change active component by tapping edge To change the active component, [Ctrl]-tap one of its edges. The device can then only be moved on the active component and is placed by entering a point. The figure shows the active component being changed from the upper to the lower mounting rail:

6-8

EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying devices Placing and modifying a device Change active component by tapping surface This placement mode can be used by flat structural parts such as mounting panels, side panels and doors. [Ctrl]-tap the surface. The device can then be moved in the same plane as and placed on the picked component. Example: Fan in the top panel:

Change to a user-defined surface This placement mode is used by way of exception to place devices on surfaces of other components. [Ctrl]-tap the surface. This mode only remains active for placement of one component. It then switches back to edge mode.

EPLAN Cabinet

6-9

Placing and modifying devices Placing and modifying a device

Append point The default append point for inserting devices is middle left. It is assumed that subsequent components will be placed from left to right. There are nine possible positions for the append point.

The option "--Graphical macro--" uses tho original append point specified in the graphical macro drawing. Regarding minimum clearances The default setting has the handle relating to the item dimensions. This switch can be used to make the handle relative to the extended minimum clearances, if minimum clearances defined for an item are to be taken into account. This can make it easier for instance to place an item by searching for points at the corner of another item.

Rotation A device can be placed rotated by 90°, -90° or 180°.

Direction of movement This option is only available with "Place devices again".

Offset The three offset values specify how far from the selected append point the device is placed. Horizontal: Positive values: offset to the right Vertical: Positive values: upward offset Mounting depth: Positive values: forward offset

6-10

EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying devices Placing and modifying a device

Direction of placement When multiple components are selected, the devices can be placed beginning from the placement point from left to right (default) or from right to left. With the "separate" option, the spacing between devices can be individually specified.

Multiple selection/placement mode This option is only available with "Place devices again".

Collision checking Collision checking prevents components from being placed in and around each other. It is always enabled by default and should only be disabled in exceptional instances.

EPLAN Cabinet

6-11

Placing and modifying devices Inserting a universal part

6.2 Inserting a universal part Universal parts are devices that are not in the EPLAN parts list. They are specified and assigned information when selected and placed in a drawing like a device. Placement Insert universal part

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EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying devices Inserting a universal part Enter the parameters in the dialogue as you want them. The device tag, article no., model no. and height/width/depth or graphical macro fields must be filled; the other fields are optional. Enter all values in the input fields Height / Width / Depth and Grapical macro. Enter Device tag and Part number if "Check device tag" is activated in the dialogue. All the other input fields describe properties of the device. Grapical macro with texture When placing devices and universal parts in drawings, the name of an image file can be specified (e.g. IMG01.BMP) instead of the name of a graphical macro drawing. The image file must be in the graphical macros directory and be in a supported image format (BMP, GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, TIF or TIFF). A box is inserted in the drawing with the specified dimensions and the image on its front face. Click in the drawing where you want to place the component. A dialogue opens with the usual placement options for you to select the append point, active component and placement direction for multiple components.

EPLAN Cabinet

6-13

Placing and modifying devices Inserting a universal part

6.2.1

Parts selection for universal items

In addition to manual entry in the "Device information dialog", it is also possible to use the part data defined in the parts management when defining a universal item. Placement Insert universal item | [Parts selection] The "Parts selection" dialog offers the defined parts data choice and also allows filtering using up to 6 criteria.

Setting a filter All defined parts are shown when the dialog is called up or when the [No filter] button is clicked. The displays can be limited to the criteria individually, or in combination, in the upper area of the dialog •

Part number

•

Type number

•

Designation 1

•

Manufacturer

•

Identifier

•

Mounting location (selection)

6-14

EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying devices Inserting a universal part Enter the desired filter criteria or select a mounting location from the selection list Click the [Filter] button to use the filter. The parts list now shows only the parts conforming to the specified filter criteria. Number of records The field shows the number of records found or the number of parts limited via a filter.

Select parts In the parts list, select the parts whose data you wish to assign to the universal item to be defined. Click [OK]. The parts data is transferred from the parts management into the corresponding fields in the "Device information" dialog and saved in the project database so that it can be taken into account in parts list reports. Clicking [OK] allows you to place the universal item with this information. The parts data of a placed universal item cannot be changed retroactively.

EPLAN Cabinet

6-15

Placing and modifying devices Specifying a blocking surface

6.3 Specifying a blocking surface Blocking surfaces are areas of mounting planes (e.g. mounting panels) where no components or devices can be placed. They are set aside for adding components, fasteners, drilled holes etc. at a later stage. Information, Organization and Security Place blocking surface First activate the component that is to contain the blocking surface. Specify the blocking surface by entering two corner points of a box. You are then asked if you want to make the blocking surface part of the component"s master data. Choose "Yes" if you want the mounting panel to be given the blocking surface whenever it is used in a drawing. Any attempt to place a component on the blocking surface is detected by the collision checking routine.

Deleting a blocking surface To remove a blocking surface, right-click it to open the context menu and choose "Delete". You are asked if you want to remove the blocking surface from the component"s master data.

6-16

EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying devices Displaying device information

6.4 Displaying device information Information, Organization and Security Component information Tap a device in your drawing. The dialogue shows all information from the parts list or in the case of a universal part, all parameters entered when the part was created.

EPLAN Cabinet

6-17

Placing and modifying devices Displaying device information

6.4.1

Go to component in EPLAN

Click [Go to component in EPLAN] in the Device Information dialogue to go straight to the component in your EPLAN project. If the component is used several times in your drawing, a selection is displayed. Select the device you want. The appropriate page is opened in EPLAN with the cursor on the selected device.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying devices Modifying devices

6.5 Modifying devices

6.5.1

Place devices again

Edit Place devices again This command moves devices that have already been placed in a drawing. The dialogue contains the same options as are available in the device browser when inserting devices: •

Activation method for the reference component

•

Horizontal/vertical offsets

•

Append point

•

Angle and direction of placement user-defined/horizontal/vertical for devices not mounted on a mounting rail

•

Collision checking

Multiple selection/sequence When multiple devices have been selected for "place again", this parameter determines the order in which the devices are placed at the new placement point. •

Left to right

•

Right to left

•

Separate: Each device is placed separately by specifying a point. The distance from the previous device can be specified.

Multiple selection/placement mode Use this parameter to specify how to treat the spacing between multiple devices selected using rectangle selection mode: Leave distances: The devices are placed with the same spacing at the new placement point as they had before using "Place devices again". Realign: The devices are placed at the new placement with the spacing specified under Multiple Selection/Sequence - Spacing. The default is 0, with no space between devices. Specify the values you want and click the device to be modified.

EPLAN Cabinet

6-19

Placing and modifying devices Modifying devices

6.5.2

Adjusting the position of a device

Edit Move device You can move a device in a drawing by using "Move device" to specify adjustments. Enter the values you want in the dialogue: •

Horizontal offset

•

Vertical offset

•

Mounting depth offset

•

Rotate by 90°, 180° or -90°

Then tap the component to be moved. It is repositioned in accordance with the specified values.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Placing and modifying devices Modifying devices

6.5.3

Changing the location and plant designation/unit ID

This function changes all 6 possible hierarchy levels throughout the entire project. It is automatically called up after a project is copied, but can also be started manually. Note: The project hierarchies of both projects should be the same when copying so that the device assignments are correct, otherwise the devices cannot be assigned. Edit Adjusting the project structure A dialog with 3 fields appears: •

Top: Hierarchy level (plant, location, function, mounting location, plant number, user-defined)

•

Middle: The names contained in the individual levels

•

Bottom: Entry field for the new designations

All 6 hierarchy levels can be preselected for editing, one after another.

Example: Location All items in the drawing are scanned, and all location names are listed in the middle field. Select an entry and enter a new name into the lower field. Clicking [Rename] renames the location in all items. The changed names are entered in the navigator and at the item text, as well as being listed in the middle field. The cursor then moves on to the next name, which can now be changed.

EPLAN Cabinet

6-21

Placing and modifying devices Modifying devices

6.5.4

Deleting devices

Edit Delete

Single component To delete a device or a structural component from the drawing, choose the Delete command and tap the device or component. If other components are associated with the selected one, a confirmation prompt prevents the associated components form being deleted by mistake. Choose "Yes" if you want to delete all associated components as well.

Multiple components selected in rectangle mode To delete multiple components, hold down the left mouse button slightly longer and drag a rectangle around the components you want to delete. Enter a point for the second corner of the rectangle. •

If you click inside the rectangle to confirm, all elements that are fully inside it will be deleted.

•

If you click next to the rectangle to confirm, all elements within, overlapping or touching the rectangle will be deleted.

Multiple components selected in polygon mode Instead of a rectangle, you can also use a polyline to mark out the elements to be deleted. Select the Delete command, press the left mouse button and hold it down until a prompt appears asking you to enter a point for a polygon. Now enter a number of points connected with polygon lines, pressing [Return] when you have done to complete the polygon. Finally, select the elements to be deleted as in rectangle mode, by tapping inside or next to the polygon.

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Project and system organization

7

Project and system organization................................ 7-2

7.1

Report configuration.................................................................. 7-2

7.1.1 7.1.2 7.1.3 7.1.4 7.1.5 7.1.6 7.1.7 7.1.8

Creating a new report configuration........................................................ 7-3 Defining item types for reports................................................................ 7-4 Defining standard fields for reports......................................................... 7-5 Defining fields for single properties ........................................................ 7-6 Outputting summations of mechanical processing ................................. 7-7 Saving a report configuration.................................................................. 7-7 Totals in report configurations ................................................................ 7-8 Counting in report configurations.......................................................... 7-10

7.2

Updating EPLAN project parts lists........................................ 7-11

7.3

Importing parts data ................................................................ 7-11

7.4

Checking a drawing ................................................................. 7-12

7.5

Importing project parameters ................................................. 7-14

7.5.1 7.5.2 7.5.3 7.5.4

Project information................................................................................ 7-15 Output to an EPLAN Cabinet standard sheet ....................................... 7-16 Output to a symbol................................................................................ 7-19 Changing project information/project assignment ................................ 7-23

7.6

EPLAN Cabinet parameters..................................................... 7-24

7.6.1 7.6.2 7.6.3 7.6.4 7.6.5 7.6.6 7.6.7

Parameters: General ............................................................................ 7-24 Parameters: System ............................................................................. 7-26 Parameters: Eplan ................................................................................ 7-32 Parameters: Colours and text ............................................................... 7-35 Parameters: Drilling pattern geometry .................................................. 7-37 Parameters: Drilling pattern dimensioning............................................ 7-37 Parameters: Routing............................................................................. 7-38

7.7

Configuring EPLAN Cabinet.................................................... 7-40

7.7.1 7.7.2

Screen division ..................................................................................... 7-41 Logical drives........................................................................................ 7-44 7.7.2.1 Viewing and assigning logical drives ......................................... 7-45 7.7.3 Printer installation ................................................................................. 7-46 7.7.3.1 Windows printer drivers ............................................................. 7-46

EPLAN Cabinet

7-1

Project and system organization Report configuration

7 Project and system organization 7.1

Report configuration

A wide range of different items can be placed in EPLAN Cabinet, enclosures, ducts, rails, devices, holes, etc. The report center allows reports of varying scopes for all items available in EPLAN Cabinet: •

Report for the entire project

•

Report for a project drawing

•

Report for an enclosure

•

Report of an equipped area

The range and structure can be individually configured for every report. A dialog with comprehensive options is available for configuration. The configuration is saved in a BOM file, which can be selected in the report center when generating a report. Output Report configuration File | Report center | Configure reports The configuration dialog for reports has three main areas: •

Top: Input fields for filename, description and formal properties of the configuration file

•

Left: List of all available item types

•

Right: Item types selected for the report, with sorting options for the sequence in which they are to be reported

You can create a new configuration or open and edit an existing configuration after calling up the dialog.

7-2

EPLAN Cabinet

Project and system organization Report configuration

7.1.1

Creating a new report configuration

File | Report center | Configure reports | [New] You must first select at least one item type to generate a new configuration. To do this, select a desired item type in the list of available item types (left side) and use the [=>] button to move it to the list of selected item types at the right. You can now further enhance this configuration or save it as a new configuration. Generate a new configuration via the [New] button.

Settings Report file name Enter a file name here for the report file to be created with this configuration. Note: Enter only the file name! (e.g. PARTS.TXT) This file is automatically created in the appropriate project directory. For systems that do not accept a filename extension, you can also configure your own output file without an extension. Report description You can enter an optional text description of the report into the second field. Field separators Define the separation character for all text parameters and the separator for all output fields here. Output file coding Use this option to select a character set for output texts using international character sets (Unicode/ANSI).

EPLAN Cabinet

7-3

Project and system organization Report configuration

7.1.2

Defining item types for reports

The "Available item types" area of the "Report configuration" dialog lists all item types that are used in EPLAN Cabinet and can be used in reports.

Free item types In addition to the fixed item types, up to 100 freely definable items can be used. The names can be entered in the Parameter manager - General tab - Names of free item types.

Buttons [=>] [] button to move them to the list of selected item types to the right. Use the [] [] button to move them into the list of selected fields to the right. Use the [] [] button to add these to your selection for the report. Conversely, you can also use the [ Settings. Part number

The part number is unique, meaning it can only occur once in the hierarchy. This is checked automatically when a part or variant is saved. Part numbers can be up to 50 characters long. Care should be given to the choice of numbering system when assigning part numbers. Example: Manufacturer, Group No., Serial No., Item No.: SIE.3TB.0001 Model number

Unlike the part number, the model number is not unique (especially for cables). If possible, the model number should match the data in the manufacturer"s catalogue. Designation1 Further information on the part can be entered here, for example more data from the manufacturer"s catalogue. This information is not used by the software but it can be included in the printed parts list.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database

Designation2 Further information on the part can be entered here, for example more data from the manufacturer"s catalogue. This information is not used by the software but it can be included in the printed parts list. Manufacturer

Click [...] to select a short or long version of the name. The short name can alternatively be entered by hand. The long name cannot be edited. Supplier

Click [...] to select a short or long version of the name. The short name can alternatively be entered by hand. The long name cannot be edited. Order number Type an order number for the article, if possible matching the data in the manufacturer"s catalogue. Note: This document only covers the data items that are passed on to EPLAN Cabinet. If you use EPLAN electric P8, it is recommended that you complete all items.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database

Mounting data tab These data items are used for specifying the device-specific dimensions in mm. They must be specified if you do not use a graphical macro for the part in EPLAN Cabinet. Width Numeric value in mm Height Numeric value in mm Depth Numeric value in mm Clip-on height/center mismatch

By default, a device is placed in EPLAN Cabinet at the middle of a mounting rail (unless a graphical macro is used). You can use this parameter to specify where to place a device other than at the middle of a rail. Positive or negative values can be specified. Cabinet graphical macro

The Cabinet graphical macro associates a part with the Cabinet graphical macro used for graphical representation of the part in EPLAN Cabinet. Click [...] to select an existing graphical macro. The name and directory path for the macro are then copied into the box. Note: It is best not to specify full directory path in this instance. Instead of, say, C:\EPLAN Cabinet\GRAFIKMAKROS\Monitor1.zei, specify just "Monitor1". If you use [...] to select a graphical macro, delete the path part of the name.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database This makes the Cabinet graphical macros independent of your installation. This approach is necessary for example if you make data available to customers, because you cannot know where customers store their graphical macros. The creation of Cabinet graphical macros is described in detail in a separate section.

Mounting clearance width left/right Numerical values in mm Mounting clearance height above/below Numerical values in mm Mounting clearance depth front/rear Numerical values in mm On this tab, you can specify that EPLAN Cabinet should automatically leave additional space either side of the parts concerned when placing them in a drawing.

Technical Data tab Construction This allows you to assign the part a construction (definition of a drilling pattern) already in the parts management database. For detailed information on creating drilling patterns, see the Creating Drilling Patterns section. Connections This allows you to assign the part a connection (definition of contact data for automatic routing in EPLAN Cabinet) already in the parts management database. Note: Assemblies can be specified in the parts management database in exactly the same way as parts. In EPLAN Cabinet, assemblies are treated like parts. It is not currently possible to place them as assemblies and subsequently break them up into their constituent parts.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database

13.1.2.3 Fluid parts All information in the Electrotechnical Parts section applies for Fluid parts.

13.1.2.4 Mechanical parts The following parts relevant to EPLAN Cabinet can be created in the article management system: •

Enclosures

•

Doors for enclosures

•

Mounting panels for enclosures

•

Mounting rails

•

Cable clamp rails

•

Ducts

•

Busbar systems

•

Busbar holders

•

Busbar adapters

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database

13.1.2.5 Mechanical parts: Enclosures At least the following properties should be specified for these parts to be meaningfully used in EPLAN Cabinet:

All enclosures (any make) General tab Generic product group Mechanical Product group Enclosure Product subgroup Specifying the product subgroup determines the basic type of enclosure. Part: All relevant data items comprise separate parts (e.g. side panels, rear panel, top panel, bottom panel, etc. - e.g. Rittal TS8). Body: Enclosure consists of enclosure body without separate parts (e.g. Rittal AE). Part number The part number is unique, meaning it can only occur once in the hierarchy. This is checked automatically when a part or variant is saved. Part numbers can be up to 50 characters long. Designation1 Further information on the part can be entered here, for example more data from the manufacturer"s catalogue. This information is not used by the soft-ware but it can be included in the printed parts list.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database

Mounting data tab Width, Height, Depth These data items are used for specifying the device-specific dimensions in mm. Note: On an enclosure of type "Part", the three dimensions determine the size of the extrusion frame.

On an enclosure of type "body", the three dimensions specify the size of the enclosure body.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database

Enclosure tab Wall thickness Value in mm Spacing when in series This spacing can be included automatically when two or more enclosures are arranged in a row. Profile horizontal height If the enclosure has an extrusion frame (e.g. TS8), this item states the height of the laterals.

Profile horizontal depth If the enclosure has an extrusion frame (e.g. TS8), this item states the depth of the laterals.

Profile vertical width If the enclosure has an extrusion frame (e.g. TS8), this item states the width of the verticals.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database Profile vertical depth If the enclosure has an extrusion frame (e.g. TS8), this item states the depth of the verticals.

Doors tab X position X is the distance by which the mounting panel is offset to the right The distance is measured from the bottom left rear corner of the enclosure. If two or more doors are used, a distance must be specified for each door. The X position is then also given relative to the hinge side of the door.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database Y position Y is the forward offset. The distance is measured from the bottom left rear corner of the enclosure. The offset always relates to the inside edge of the door. The value is always negative.

Z position Z is the vertical (upward) offset. The distance is measured from the bottom left rear corner of the enclosure.

Part number Click the [...] button to select a part number for the door. Note: The assigned door must have been previously created as a part in the database. Variant This is always 1.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database

Mounting Panel tab Location Possible locations •

Rear

•

Left

•

Right

X position X is the distance by which the mounting panel is offset to the right The mounting panel is viewed from the front when specifying this item.

Y position Y is the distance by which the mounting panel is offset to the front. The mounting panel is viewed from the front when specifying these items.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database Z position Z is the distance by which the mounting panel is offset vertically upward. The mounting panel is viewed from the front when specifying these items.

Part number Click the [...] button to select a part number for the mounting panel. Note: The assigned mounting panel must have been previously created as a part in the database. Variant This is always 1. Angle This is always "0.00 mm".

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database

Enclosure part (model-specific) Enclosure Party tab (type "part") Projections

These items determine the size of each field, always relative to the extrusion frame. A positive value means that the part in question projects. A negative value means it is that amount smaller than the extrusion frame.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database Distance

The distance determines the position of each field and is specified relative to the extrusion frame. Rear panel: distance from inside of rear panel from outside of frame

Side panel: distance from inside of side panel to outside of frame

Top panel: distance from underside of roof to outside of frame

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database Bottom panel: distance from topside of floor panel to outside of frame

Depth Depth of each field.

Enclosure body (model-specific) Enclosure Body tab (type "body") Width/height of door opening Specifies the size of the door opening at the front of the enclosure.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database Door rebate

Door top offset Door right offset These items determine the position of the door opening at the front of the enclosure. A value of 0 means the door opening is centred.

13.1.2.6 Mechanical parts: Mounting panels At least the following properties should be specified for these parts to be meaningfully used in EPLAN Cabinet:

General tab Generic product group Mechanical Product group Housing Product subgroup Mounting panels Part number The part number is unique, meaning it can only occur once in the hierarchy. This is checked automatically when a part or variant is saved. Part numbers can be up to 50 characters long.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database Designation1 Further information on the part can be entered here, for example more data from the manufacturer"s catalogue. This information is not used by the soft-ware but it can be included in the printed parts list.

Mounting data tab Width, Height, Depth These data items are used for specifying the device-specific dimensions in mm.

Blocking Surfaces tab X position, Y position The X position and Y position items determine the position of the bottom left hand corner of the blocking surface relative to the mounting panel origin. The mounting panel origin is at bottom left. Front This item determines the position of the blocking surface – at the front or the rear of the mounting panel. Width Width of the blocking surface Height Height of the blocking surface Type There are blocking surfaces for placement and for drilling holes.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database

13.1.2.7 Mechanical parts: Doors At least the following properties should be specified for these parts to be meaningfully used in EPLAN Cabinet:

General tab Generic product group Mechanical Product group Housing Product subgroup Door Part number The part number is unique, meaning it can only occur once in the hierarchy. This is checked automatically when a part or variant is saved. Part numbers can be up to 50 characters long. Designation1 Further information on the part can be entered here, for example more data from the manufacturer"s catalogue. This information is not used by the soft-ware but it can be included in the printed parts list.

Mounting data tab Width, Height, Depth These data items are used for specifying the device-specific dimensions in mm.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database

Door tab Type The type is always "default". Hinge Determines whether the door is hinged on the left or the right. Wall thickness Door panel thickness.

Blocking surfaces X position, Y position The X position and Y position items determine the position of the bottom left hand corner of the blocking surface relative to the mounting panel origin. The mounting panel origin is at bottom left. Front This item determines the position of the blocking surface – at the front or the rear of the mounting panel. Width Width of the blocking surface Height Height of the blocking surface Type There are blocking surfaces for placement and for drilling holes.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database

13.1.2.8

Mechanical parts: Ducts

At least the following properties should be specified for these parts to be meaningfully used in EPLAN Cabinet:

General tab Generic product group Mechanical Product group Ducts Product subgroup General Part number The part number is unique, meaning it can only occur once in the hierarchy. This is checked automatically when a part or variant is saved. Part numbers can be up to 50 characters long. Designation1 Further information on the part can be entered here, for example more data from the manufacturer"s catalogue. This information is not used by the soft-ware but it can be included in the printed parts list.

Mounting data tab Width, depth These data items are used for specifying the device-specific dimensions in mm.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database

Technical Data tab Construction This allows you to assign the part a construction (definition of a drilling pattern) already in the parts management database.

13.1.2.9

Mechanical parts: Mounting rails

At least the following properties should be specified for these parts to be meaningfully used in EPLAN Cabinet:

General tab Generic product group Mechanical Product group Housing accessories, internal extension Product subgroup Mounting rail Part number The part number is unique, meaning it can only occur once in the hierarchy. This is checked automatically when a part or variant is saved. Part numbers can be up to 50 characters long. Designation1 Further information on the part can be entered here, for example more data from the manufacturer"s catalogue. This information is not used by the soft-ware but it can be included in the printed parts list.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database

Mounting data tab Height Height in mm.

Mounting Rail tab Width at top Width of the mounting rail at the top

Width at bottom Width of the mounting rail at the bottom.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database

Technical Data tab Construction This allows you to assign the part a construction (definition of a drilling pattern) already in the parts management database.

13.1.2.10 Mechanical parts: Cable clamp rails At least the following properties should be specified for these parts to be meaningfully used in EPLAN Cabinet:

General tab Generic product group Mechanical Product group Housing accessories, internal extension Product subgroup Cable clamp rails Part number The part number is unique, meaning it can only occur once in the hierarchy. This is checked automatically when a part or variant is saved. Part numbers can be up to 50 characters long. Designation1 Further information on the part can be entered here, for example more data from the manufacturer"s catalogue. This information is not used by the soft-ware but it can be included in the printed parts list.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database

Mounting data tab Width Width in mm. Depth Depth in mm.

Technical Data tab Construction This allows you to assign the part a construction (definition of a drilling pattern) already in the parts management database.

13.1.2.11 Mechanical parts: Busbars At least the following properties should be specified for these parts to be meaningfully used in EPLAN Cabinet:

Busbar systems General tab Generic product group Mechanical Product group Busbars

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database Product subgroup System Part number The part number is unique, meaning it can only occur once in the hierarchy. This is checked automatically when a part or variant is saved. Part numbers can be up to 50 characters long. Designation1 Further information on the part can be entered here, for example more data from the manufacturer"s catalogue. This information is not used by the soft-ware but it can be included in the printed parts list. Designation2 The various busbar systems can be grouped here. The selection can then be filtered by these groups when placing busbars in EPLAN Cabinet.

Mounting data tab Cabinet graphical macro Specifies the macro drawing to be used for the individual rails (poles). The drawing contains the basic shape of each rail.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database

Busbar System tab Profile geometry Specifies parameters relating to the shape of each rail. The parameters depend on the basic shape. Basic shape = SA_Standard Profile geometry = depth x height

Basic shape = SA_RI_PLS Profile geometry = depth x height (bottom) x height (top) x thickness

Generally: Six parameters can be used in a macro drawing for a rail. In the macro drawing, the parameters are named T, HU, HO, EXT1, EXT2 and EXT3. In the parts management database, the parameters are entered in the same order with an "x" as a separator: TxHUxHOxEXT1xEXT2xEXT3

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database

Number of rails Specifies the number of rails in the busbar system. Rail spacing Specifies the spacing between each pair of rails.

Distance from rails to mounting panel Distance from the mounting panel to the bottom edge of the rails.

Holder part number Click the [...] button to select a part number for the holder. Note: The assigned holder must already be in the parts database. Holder variant This is always 1. Holder vertical offset Offset of holder centre relative to rails.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database

13.1.2.12 Mechanical parts: Busbar holders General tab Generic product group Mechanical Product group Busbars Product subgroup Holders Part number The part number is unique, meaning it can only occur once in the hierarchy. This is checked automatically when a part or variant is saved. Part numbers can be up to 50 characters long. Designation1 Further information on the part can be entered here, for example more data from the manufacturer"s catalogue. This information is not used by the soft-ware but it can be included in the printed parts list. Manufacturer Click [...] to select a short or long version of the name. The short name can alternatively be entered by hand. The long name cannot be edited. Supplier Click [...] to select a short or long version of the name. The short name can alternatively be entered by hand. The long name cannot be edited.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database

Mounting data tab Width, Height, Depth These data items are used for specifying the device-specific dimensions in mm. They must be specified if you do not use a graphical macro for the part in EPLAN Cabinet. EPLAN Cabinet graphical macro This links a part to graphical macro used to create its visual representation in EPLAN Cabinet. Click the [...] button to choose an existing graphical macro and copy its name and path to the Graphical Macro box.

Technical Data tab Construction This allows you to assign the part a construction (definition of a drilling pattern) already in the parts management database.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database

13.1.2.13 Mechanical parts: Busbar adapters General tab Generic product group Mechanical Product group Busbars Product subgroup Adapters Part number The part number is unique, meaning it can only occur once in the hierarchy. This is checked automatically when a part is saved. Designation1 Further information on the part can be entered here, for example more data from the manufacturer"s catalogue. This information is not used by the soft-ware but it can be included in the printed parts list. Manufacturer Click [...] to select a short or long version of the name. The short name can alternatively be entered by hand. The long name cannot be edited. Supplier Click [...] to select a short or long version of the name. The short name can alternatively be entered by hand. The long name cannot be edited.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database

Mounting data tab Width, Height, Depth These data items are used for specifying the device-specific dimensions in mm. They must be specified if you do not use a graphical macro for the part in EPLAN Cabinet. EPLAN Cabinet graphical macro This links a part to graphical macro used to create its graphical representation it in EPLAN Cabinet. Click the [...] button to choose an existing graphical macro and copy its name and path to the Graphical Macro box.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating a part in the parts management database

Mounting Rails tab X position Distance along the X axis of the rail insertion point from the adapter origin. Y position Distance along the Y axis of the rail insertion point from the adapter origin. Z position Distance along the Z axis of the rail insertion point from the adapter origin. Part number Adapter part number. Click the [...] button to select a part number for the mounting rail. Note: The assigned mounting rail must have been previously created as a part in the database. Variant This is always 1. Length Length of the mounting rail.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating drilling patterns

13.2 Creating drilling patterns Drilling patterns are defined in the EPLAN parts management system, under CONSTRUCTIONS.

Drilling patterns are generally divided into two types: •

Drilling patterns for length-dependent parts (e.g. ducts and mounting rails)

•

Drilling patterns for length-independent parts (e.g. devices)

A drilling pattern can be made up of one or more holes/contours.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating drilling patterns The following types of hole or cut are available: •

Drilled holes

•

Threaded holes

•

Rectangular cutouts, right-angle

•

Rectangular cutouts, chamfered

•

Rectangular cutouts, filleted

•

Slots

•

Hexagons

•

Polygons

•

User-defined contours

13.2.1

Creating a new drilling pattern

To add a new drilling pattern, open the context menu (right-click over "Constructions") and choose "New".

A new drilling pattern is added. The right-hand side of the dialogue has spaces to enter all relevant data.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating drilling patterns

All items in the Construction tab should be specified for the drilling pattern to be meaningfully used in EPLAN Cabinet. Note: Always enter "1" for Construction Variant. EPLAN Cabinet currently only processes construction variant 1.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating drilling patterns

13.2.1.1

Specifying an individual hole (lengthindependent)

Go to the Drilling Pattern tab.

Click the New button.

.

Specify the following items for the drilled hole:

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating drilling patterns

Drilling Pattern tab Type Drill X position Distance in mm along the X axis of the hole from the origin. Y position Distance in mm along the Y axis of the hole from the origin. First dimension Diameter of the hole in mm

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating drilling patterns

13.2.1.2

Specifying an individual threaded hole (lengthindependent)

Go to the Drilling Pattern tab.

Click the New button.

.

Specify the following items for the threaded hole:

Drilling Pattern tab Type Thread X position Distance in mm along the X axis of the hole from the origin. Y position Distance in mm along the Y axis of the hole from the origin. First dimension Nominal diameter of the threaded hole in mm

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating drilling patterns

13.2.1.3

Specifying a rectangular cutout (right-angle)

Go to the Drilling Pattern tab.

Click the New button.

.

Specify the following items for the right-angle rectangular cutout:

Drilling Pattern tab Type Rectangular Subtype Right-angle X position Distance in mm along the X axis of the rectangular cutout from the origin. Y position Distance in mm along the Y axis of the rectangular cutout from the origin. Angle Angle of the rectangular cutout First dimension Height of the rectangular cutout in mm Second dimension Width of the rectangular cutout in mm

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating drilling patterns

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating drilling patterns

13.2.1.4

Specifying a rectangular cutout (filleted)

Go to the Drilling Pattern tab.

Click the New button.

.

Specify the following items for the filleted rectangular cutout:

Drilling Pattern tab Type Rectangular Subtype Filleted X position Distance in mm along the X axis of the rectangular cutout from the origin. Y position Distance in mm along the Y axis of the rectangular cutout from the origin. Angle Angle of the rectangular cutout First dimension Height of the rectangular cutout in mm Second dimension Width of the rectangular cutout in mm Third dimension Fillet radius in mm

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating drilling patterns

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating drilling patterns

13.2.1.5

Specifying a rectangular cutout (chamfered)

Go to the Drilling Pattern tab.

Click the New button.

.

Specify the following items for the chamfered rectangular cutout:

Drilling Pattern tab Type Rectangular Subtype Chamfered X position Distance in mm along the X axis of the rectangular cutout from the origin. Y position Distance in mm along the Y axis of the rectangular cutout from the origin. Angle Angle of the rectangular cutout First dimension Height of the rectangular cutout in mm Second dimension Width of the rectangular cutout in mm Third dimension Chamfer width in mm

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating drilling patterns

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating drilling patterns

13.2.1.6

Specifying a slot

Go to the Drilling Pattern tab.

Click the New button.

.

Specify the following items for the slot:

Drilling Pattern tab Type Slot X position Distance in mm along the X axis of the slot from the origin. Y position Distance in mm along the Y axis of the slot from the origin. Angle Angle of the slot First dimension Height of the slot in mm Second dimension Width of the slot in mm

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating drilling patterns

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating drilling patterns

13.2.1.7

Specifying a hexagonal cutout

Go to the Drilling Pattern tab.

Click the New button.

.

Specify the following items for the hexagonal cutout:

Drilling Pattern tab Type Hexagon X position Distance in mm along the X axis of the hexagonal cutout from the origin. Y position Distance in mm along the Y axis of the hexagonal cutout from the origin. Angle Angle of the hexagonal cutout First dimension Side length of the hexagonal cutout in mm

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating drilling patterns

13.2.1.8

Specifying an octagonal cutout

Go to the Drilling Pattern tab.

Click the New button.

.

Specify the following items for the octagonal cutout:

Drilling Pattern tab Type Octagon X position Distance in mm along the X axis of the octagonal cutout from the origin. Y position Distance in mm along the Y axis of the octagonal cutout from the origin. Angle Angle of the octagonal cutout First dimension Side length of the octagonal cutout in mm

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating drilling patterns

13.2.1.9

Specifying holes for ducts/rails (lengthdependent)

Go to the Drilling Pattern tab.

Click the New button.

.

Specify the following items for the holes:

Drilling Pattern tab Type Drill X position Distance in mm along the X axis of the holes from the origin. Y position Distance in mm along the Y axis of the holes from the origin. First dimension Hole diameter in mm Repetitive spacing Spacing between subsequent holes End spacing Distance along the X axis between the penultimate hole and the last one. Drill each nth hole Specifies which hole should be drilled each time.

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Parts and drilling patterns in the parts management database Creating drilling patterns

13.2.1.10 Specifying threaded holes for ducts/rails (length-dependent) Go to the Drilling Pattern tab. Click the New button. . Specify the following items for the threaded holes:

Drilling Pattern tab Type "Thread" X-Position Distance in mm along the X axis of the threaded holes from the origin. Y position Distance in mm along the Y axis of the threaded holes from the origin. First dimension Threaded hole diameter in mm Repetitive spacing Spacing between subsequent holes End spacing Distance along the X axis between the penultimate hole and the last one. Drill each nth hole Specifies which hole should be drilled each time.

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Creating and using graphical macros

14

Creating and using graphical macros ................. 14-2

14.1

Graphical macros: General ..................................................... 14-2

14.1.1 14.1.2 14.1.3 14.1.4

14.2 14.2.1 14.2.2 14.2.3 14.2.4 14.2.5 14.2.6

Specifying a graphical macro for EPLAN Cabinet............................. 14-3 Graphical macro drawings in EPLAN Cabinet................................... 14-4 Using graphical macros in EPLAN Cabinet....................................... 14-5 Creating a graphical macro drawing in EPLAN Cabinet.................... 14-6

Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor ............. 14-7 Creating the geometry for a graphical macro.................................... 14-8 Adding solids in a graphical macro ................................................. 14-22 Specifying macro orientation in 3D space....................................... 14-23 Specifying the drawing origin in a graphical macro......................... 14-27 Saving a graphical macro................................................................ 14-29 Testing a graphical macro............................................................... 14-30

EPLAN Cabinet

14-1

Creating and using graphical macros Graphical macros: General

14

Creating and using graphical macros

14.1 Graphical macros: General A device placed in EPLAN Cabinet must be assigned the following parameters: •

Height, width and depth or

•

Graphical macro

If a device is only assigned a width, height and depth (and not a graphical macro), a rectangular default part with the specified dimensions is automatically placed in the drawing.

A graphical macro is a drawing file specified in EPLAN Cabinet. Each graphical macro contains a single solid. The placement point is determined by the drawing origin.

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Creating and using graphical macros Graphical macros: General Graphical macros are in EPLAN Cabinet: •

Provide the graphical representations of devices in an enclosure

•

Ensure that devices are automatically positioned at exactly the right place, for example in doors and side panels

•

Make it possible to perform more accurate collision checking

14.1.1 Specifying a graphical macro for EPLAN Cabinet In EPLAN Cabinet, devices are placed in an enclosure. The devices are not necessarily specified in EPLAN Cabinet; they are specified in a schematic (e.g. in EPLAN electric P8). Each EPLAN Cabinet project is generally assigned a schematic project. The data from the schematic is passed to EPLAN Cabinet. This consists of data on devices, including parts data. Parts are specified in the parts management database. This is where technical data is entered. Whether or not a graphical macro is placed is determined in the EPLAN parts management database.

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Creating and using graphical macros Graphical macros: General

14.1.2 Graphical macro drawings in EPLAN Cabinet A graphical macro is a 3D drawing file (format *.ZEI) in EPLAN Cabinet. A graphical macro drawing can only ever contain one solid. The drawing is saved in a specific directory. The name of the drawing determines the name of the graphical macro.

Cabinet graphical macro: "Makro1" Drawing name: "Makro1.zei" The graphical macro is saved in a specific directory: \ECDTriga4\GrafikMakros\.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Creating and using graphical macros Graphical macros: General

14.1.3 Using graphical macros in EPLAN Cabinet Data from the schematic is passed via the EPLAN parts list to EPLAN Cabinet, where it is automatically processed when placing devices in an enclosure.

Placing a contactor using a graphical macro

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14-5

Creating and using graphical macros Graphical macros: General

14.1.4 Creating a graphical macro drawing in EPLAN Cabinet There are three ways to create a graphical macro •

Draw a graphical macro using 3D modelling tools You can draw a graphical macro to your own requirements by using the 3D modelling commands in the EPLAN Cabinet Graphical Editor.

•

Import 3D models provided by device manufacturers The 3D import interface can be used to import models into EPLAN Cabinet, where they can be edited (to correct the orientation, assign an origin etc.) and manually saved in the correct directory.

•

Manufacturers supply macros ready for use in EPLAN Cabinet These can be used straight away without additional editing.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor

14.2 Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor This section describes how to create a graphical macro using the EPLAN Cabinet Graphical Editor. A Graphical Editor licence is needed. Start EPLAN Cabinet. On the menu bar:

Tools | Graphical editor The menus, toolbars, and Navigator change to show the Graphical Editor commands and features. A graphical macro is created in the following steps: •

Create the geometry or import a model

•

Add solids

•

Specify the macro's orientation in 3D space

•

Specify the drawing origin

•

Save in the graphical macros directory

•

Test

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14-7

Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor

14.2.1 Creating the geometry for a graphical macro Create a new sketch.

File | New In the standard sheet dialog that now opens, you can simply click [OK] to confirm without making any changes.

Note: The format of the drawing does not matter when creating a graphical macro. A 2D sketch is created. Switch to a 3D view (front or ISO view) to turn it into a 3D drawing. Note: An EPLAN Cabinet graphical macro is always a 3D drawing.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor

Example: The following example shows how a graphical macro is created.

Note: The geometry can be created so the graphical macro has the right orientation for fitting in the enclosure from the outset. This is done by drawing in the right view. Alternatively, the orientation can be corrected after completing the geometry (as in this example).

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14-9

Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor

Note: Drawing and modelling commands The drawing and modelling commands for creating the geometry of a graphical macro (line, extrude, punch, etc.) are not described in this document. Instructions on their use are contained in the Graphical Editor section of the manual and in Help.

Switch to 3D view Switch to a 3D modelling view, such as from above.

View | Viewpoints | From above This can also be done by double-clicking on the "From above" viewpoint in the Navigator.

Coordinate system A coordinate system is always visible in the drawing. It has three axes: Red = X axis Green = Y axis Blue = Z axis

The X and Y axes determine the working plane. This is the plane that is usually used when drawing. The Z axis extends into 3D space. In the view from above, you are looking along the Z axis.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor

Draw the basic geometry Now draw the basic geometry for the monitor in the example.

Elements | Rectangle Rectangle Draw a rectangle with the dimensions 300 x 200 mm.

Extrude the base geometry to create a solid Now choose the Extrude command.

Edit | Extrude Extrude Extrude the contour to a height of 30 mm. The first solid is complete. Switch to ISO view.

View | Viewpoints | ISO

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Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor

Set the working plane Now set the working plane on the top face of the solid.

Tools | Working plane Click the top surface to select it and press [Return] to finish. The coordinate system moves to a corner of the selected surface.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor

Set the viewing plane to the working plane Under Viewpoints in the Navigator, click "Viewing plane (on working plane)".

The view switches to the surface that has been selected as the working plane.

Draw a second solid In the middle of the surface, draw another rectangle of size 260 x 160 mm. Extrude the contour to a height of 70mm. The second solid is complete. Switch to ISO view.

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Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor

Note: The extrusion direction depends on the orientation of the Z axis. If the Z axis is currently reversed, the solid will be extruded in the opposite direction. In such cases, specify a negative value for the extrusion distance or change the orientation of the Z axis. All of these parameters can be changed afterwards.

This completes the basic modelling of the monitor in the example. You can now add further details (fillets, drilled holes, colours, etc.).

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EPLAN Cabinet

Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor

A note on detailing: Less is most definitely more. The more detail you add to a macro drawing, the larger the drawing becomes and the more capacity is needed for the system to handle it. With this in mind, only add as much detail as is absolutely necessary. This has considerable performance benefits when working with the completed macro. Specifically, this means: •

No unnecessary fillets/chamfers that are not needed for project work in EPLAN Cabinet.

•

No excessive faithfulness to detail.

•

Use colours sparingly. Assign the right basic colour to the solid from the start.

Completing the front In the example, the front of the monitor will now be added together with a simplified representation of the controls. Rotate the model to display the monitor's front side.

View | Rotate model Rotate model

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Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor

Set the working plane to the front surface.

Under Viewpoints in the Navigator, click "Viewing plane (on working plane)". The view switches to the front of the monitor.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor

On this surface, draw a rectangle of size 200 x 160. The rectangle is 20 mm from the top and the right edge.

Fillet the corners

Edit | Fillet Fillet Fillet the corners of the rectangle with radius 10 mm.

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Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor

Draw circles

Elements | Circle Circle Draw three circles of diameter 20 as shown.

Note: These elements add detail to the front of the monitor. Their purpose is only visual and they have no functional effect.

Recess circles into solid Select the Recess command.

Edit | Recess Recess

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EPLAN Cabinet

Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor

Recess all the contours just drawn -1 mm into the front of the first solid. Note: The recessing direction depends on the orientation of the Z axis. If the Z axis is currently reversed, the elements will be recessed in the opposite direction. In such cases, specify a negative value for the recess depth or change the orientation of the Z axis. This completes the basic modelling of the monitor in the example. Use "Rotate view" played isometrically.

to change the view so that the front of the monitor is dis-

Colour the surfaces If desired, the surfaces created by recessing can now be assigned a colour.

View | Colour to surface Press [Return] to open the colour selection and choose a colour.

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14-19

Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor Select the inside surface of the round-cornered rectangular cutout and click it to assign it the colour.

Press Return to switch colours. Assign colours to the round cutouts.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor

Change the basic colour If desired, you can still change the basic colour of the solid. Right-click the solid and choose Solid Attributes - Colour on the context menu.

The solid will have the selected colour when it is placed in EPLAN Cabinet.

The geometry is now complete.

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Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor

14.2.2 Adding solids in a graphical macro Graphical macros in EPLAN Cabinet are subject to a strict rule: A graphical macro only ever contains one solid. There are no exceptions. To meet this requirement, all separate solids in our example must be added together to make one solid. The EPLAN Cabinet Navigator lists the solids in a drawing under "Drawing elements".

Note: All modelling steps can be edited at any time in the Navigator (colours, extrusion height, recessing depth, etc.). Add the different solids to make a single solid:

Edit | Add Add Drag and drop in the Navigator

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EPLAN Cabinet

Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor

14.2.3 Specifying macro orientation in 3D space The orientation of the solid in the graphical macro drawing affects how it is placed on mounting panels, doors or other planes. The next step is to specify the orientation. In the graphical macro drawing, the placement plane on the mounting panel or door is always determined by the X and Z axes. This must be allowed for by matching the placement orientation to the orientation of the axes.

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Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor The XZ plane in the graphical macro is put on the plane of the mounting panel or door on placement. This behaviour is fixed in EPLAN Cabinet and cannot be changed. When creating a graphical macro, you need to make certain that the right surface on the graphical macro (the surface to be placed on the mounting panel or door) is on the XZ plane.

Checking the orientation To check the orientation of the graphical macro: •

In the Navigator, double-click the viewpoint "Isometric 1".

•

Again in the Navigator, double-click the working plane "XY plane [plan]".

The XZ plane cuts through the solid (as indicated by the blue and red arrows). This is the surface where the graphical macro will be placed on the mounting panel or door.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor In the picture below, this surface is shown on a mounting panel or door:

Problem: The new graphical macro will be at an angle of 90° to the mounting panel or door.

Solution: The solid must be rotated in the graphical macro drawing. In the monitor example, a -90° rotation about the X axis is needed.

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Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor Choose the "Rotate" command.

Edit | Rotate Rotate Select the depicted axis of rotation by holding down the [Ctrl] key and clicking the edge. Type -90 for the rotation angle and click the solid. The drawing then looks like this (viewpoint: "Isometric 1 (ISO)", working plane "XY plane [plan]":

The graphical macro now has the correct orientation.

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Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor

14.2.4 Specifying the drawing origin in a graphical macro The origin of the graphical macro drawing determines the append point on placement. The graphical macro is attached to the mouse cursor at this point during placement. When inserting a graphical macro into a drawing, you will usually specify a point on the mounting panel where the graphical macro is to be placed. The graphical macro will then be inserted on the mounting panel with its drawing origin at this point. The situation can be different when placing a graphical macro in rather than on a door. The origin must be specified accordingly in the graphical macro drawing. The origin therefore depends on where the graphical macro will later be used. In the monitor example, specify the origin as follows: First, change the current working plane to the surface containing the origin. If necessary, use "Tools | Working plane" to do so.

Specifying the origin

Elements | Drawing origin Use the "point search" feature to select the origin (click the point and hold down the mouse button for about two seconds). In the monitor example, the origin should be on the surface shown below so that the monitor is always placed at the right depth in the door.

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Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor Place the origin at one of the top corners or halfway along the top edge.

Press [Return] to confirm.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor

14.2.5 Saving a graphical macro A graphical macro drawing must be saved in a specific directory before EPLAN Cabinet can use it as a graphical macro. To save a graphical macro: On the menu bar:

File | Save as

Logical drive Graphical macros are stored in the directory that is specified in Parameter manager - EPLAN - Data in the "Data" selection field. Default drive is the start directory @:. If the data drive on separate working stations is conneted to the same physical directory in your LAN, each station will access to the same graphical macros.

Subdirectory Graphical macros are located in the "ECDTriga4\Grafikmakros" subdirectory in the logical drive preselected. From this directory the graphical macros are also called for placement. You can create subdirectories under @:ECDTriga4\Grafikmakros. Even though this is allowed, still make sure that no two graphical macros have the same name. Two or more graphical macros with the same name but in different directories can cause problems. Always choose a unique name.

File name Under "File name", type a name for the macro. This name can be used in the parts database to associate a part with a graphical macro.

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Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor

14.2.6 Testing a graphical macro After creating and saving a graphical macro, it is advisable to test it in a drawing. The easiest way to do this is by placing the graphical macro in an EPLAN Cabinet project as an image using "Parts | Universal part". •

Close the graphical macro drawing.

•

Close the Graphical Editor.

•

Open an EPLAN Cabinet project.

•

Exclusively activate the outside of the door.

•

Choose the "Universal part" command.

Parts | Universal part

In the Universal Part dialogue, type the name of the graphical macro you want to test in the Graphical Macro box.

Click [OK]. The graphical macro is displayed at the cursor. Place the graphical macro.

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Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor

Check the insertion depth, preferably in a side view.

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Creating and using graphical macros Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor

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EPLAN Cabinet

User-defined drilling contours

15

User-defined drilling contours ............................. 15-2

15.1

Save contour as drilling pattern ............................................. 15-2

15.1.1 Drawing the base contour for a drilling pattern ................................. 15-2 15.1.2 Saving a base contour as a drilling pattern ....................................... 15-3 15.1.3 Manual contour definition .................................................................. 15-4 15.1.3.1 Placing drilling contours as user-defined drilling patterns ...... 15-5 15.1.4 Saving a contour as a machine-specific production description ....... 15-6

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User-defined drilling contours Save contour as drilling pattern

15

User-defined drilling contours

15.1 Save contour as drilling pattern You can save a 2D contour drawn in the Graphical Editor as a drilling pattern. Contours saved in this way have various uses: •

As a graphical representation of a user-defined drilled hole

•

In the parts management database, as part of a drilling pattern for parts and devices

•

As a graphical representation in a drilling template

•

As a graphical representation in a DXF-NC export

•

As a NC machining description for a drilling and milling machine

15.1.1 Drawing the base contour for a drilling pattern On the menu bar:

Tools | Graphical editor Open a new drawing and, working in 2D, draw a contour in the shape you want - for example a rectangle with two rounded corners:

The illustrated dimensioning is provided for information only and is not needed when specifying a drilling contour. The drawing with the base contour is no longer needed after generating the drilling contour, as all information on the contour is saved in the NC parts database. If you wish, you can save the base contour in a folder of your choice, and modify it to create a new contour another time.

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EPLAN Cabinet

User-defined drilling contours Save contour as drilling pattern

15.1.2 Saving a base contour as a drilling pattern Once you have drawn the base contour, open the Contour Definition dialogue in the Graphical Editor.

Tools | Save contour as drilling pattern The Contour Definition dialogue has four controls that are activated according to the selected mode and the stage reached in the process. A text box at the bottom of the dialogue displays what options are currently available and what has to be done next. In most cases, you can use the [Retract step] button to return to the previous stage.

Modes There are two contour definition modes: Contour definition A graphical representation of the contour is defined manually and saved in the parts database. When placed as a user-defined contour in a project, the graphical data are fetched from the database. Machine-specific production description This generates a machine-specific NC program for drilling and milling the contour and saves it in the parts database. When placed in a project, the NC data are copied into the project database (using Update Drilling Patterns). These are then included when creating the machine-specific NC output.

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User-defined drilling contours Save contour as drilling pattern

15.1.3 Manual contour definition In the Contour Definition dialogue, select Contour Definition mode. You then have two options: 1) Select a contour name In the Contour Name box, select the name of an existing contour to use this name for the contour you have drawn. The contour definition previously saved under the same name will be overwritten. 2) Create a new contour Click the [New Contour] button. Type a name for the new contour in the Contour Name box. Specify an origin Next, specify a point on the contour as its origin. The location of the origin is not important if you have selected in Contour Definition, but if you have selected Machine-Specific Production Description it is the reference point for NC machining. For this purpose, the origin should be on a straight line and not in a corner so the machine can find the direction of travel.

Select contour elements Now click the contour elements one by one in clockwise sequence.

The clicked elements change colour and are joined to form a closed contour. Geometry elements do not need to touch: the software automatically computes the points of intersection, allowing a closed contour to be created from an inconsistent collection of lines and circles.

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EPLAN Cabinet

User-defined drilling contours Save contour as drilling pattern Close and save the contour Once you are back at the starting element or have selected the last element, click the [Close contour] button. You can still discard the contour definition at this stage by clicking [Cancel]. Otherwise, click [OK] to save the contour and close the Contour Definition dialogue.

15.1.3.1

Placing drilling contours as user-defined drilling patterns

So that a new drilling contour can be used as a user-defined drilling in a project, select Update Drilling Patterns in the project to copy the new contour in the project database. You can then select and place the contour as a user-defined drilling pattern of type "contour" under the name assigned to it.

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User-defined drilling contours Save contour as drilling pattern

15.1.4 Saving a contour as a machine-specific production description The second drilling pattern definition mode specifies an NC program for drilling and milling the contour on a machine. This takes account of the available machine capabilities and tools. In the Contour Definition dialogue, select Machine-Specific Production Description.

Select a contour name The drop-down list attached to the Contour Name box shows the contours previously created in Contour Definition mode. Select one of the contours in the list. Once you have selected a contour, you can either use it as the basis for a production description or delete it by clicking the [Delete] button.

Select a machine In the next step, select the machine to be used for machining the contour. The Machine list shows all available machine types, e.g. Perforex and Steinhauer.

Select a milling tool If two or more milling tools are specified in the machine configuration, select the milling cutter you want to use. If only one milling tool is specified, it is automatically inserted in the Tool box.

Select a rough borer Now specify the size of the rough borer. The Rough Borer box lists all drilling tools that are specified in the machine configuration.

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User-defined drilling contours Save contour as drilling pattern

Place the source contour Next, place the source contour in a sketch or drawing. The contour is placed in the drawing at the origin that was specified in the Contour Definition dialogue.

Approach contour After placing the source contour, you continue working in the dialogue. You can specify in it how the milling cutter is to approach the contour from the initial rough cut. Distance Distance between hole and contour So that the machine does not leave a ridge on approaching the contour tangentially out of the rough cut, the drilling tool is kept at a slight distance from the contour (distance plus half the drill radius). The distance thus determines the tangent of the drilled hole parallel to the contour. Tangentially (arc) The machine approaches the contour from the rough cut tangentially in a semicircle and then contours in the contour. This option is always used if the first contour element is a circular arc. Perpendicularly (straight line) The machine approaches the contour from the rough cut perpendicularly in a straight line and then turns 90° to the right to enter the contour.

Milling depths The second option in the dialogue determines heights and depths for the milling cutter as it moves above and through the workpiece. Miller over panel Height at which the milling cutter moves when traversing above the workpiece (Perforex default: 4 mm).

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User-defined drilling contours Save contour as drilling pattern Miller in panel Depth range within which the milling cutter travels through the workpiece (Perforex default: -4 mm to -7 mm, allowing the cutter to move in a 3 mm vertical range).

Specify a starting point for machining Once all parameters are specified in the dialogue, you can continue in the drawing. On the contour where it is provisionally placed in the drawing, click the start element where machining is to begin. The starting point should be on a straight line and not in a corner so that the cutter can properly approach the contour. The milling path is then displayed on the contour, creating a graphical representation of the NC program.

Representation of milling paths and end points Milling paths The end point of every program step (traversed straight line or arc) is shown as a circle (1). The milling path is shown as parallel lines, arcs and segments of circles (2).

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User-defined drilling contours Save contour as drilling pattern Colour coding Blue: Rough bore (1) Green: Milling cutter above workpiece (2) Red: Milling cutter inside workpiece (3)

Where the milling cutter enters or exits the material, a red and a green circle are shown at the same place. To tell entry and exit apart, the second circle (for the second program step) is shown a little smaller than the first: •

Large green circle with smaller red circle inside it: cutter entering workpiece (depicted)

•

Large red circle with smaller green circle inside it: cutter rising to exit workpiece

Adding drilled holes You can manipulate the milling contour by adding more drilled holes. These are machined using the selected drilling tool. Distance between hole and contour The hole (the edge of the drill) can be placed: •

At 0 distance from the contour (1)

•

At a negative distance, inside the contour (2)

•

At a positive distance, outside the contour

If "Distance between hole and contour" is selected, the settings for the append point are ignored. Place the holes by clicking where you want them in the drawing.

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User-defined drilling contours Save contour as drilling pattern Drill Select the drill to be used in the list. Append points Choice of nine possible append points; these are only used if "Distance between hole and contour" is not selected.

Placing fins Fins are breaks in the machining process that are placed with a specified width in straight parts of a contour. They are where material is left standing. The necessary rough cut is added automatically. Specifying fin widths and placing fins Type a fin width in the box provided, then click the [Place] button. Click a straight part of the contour to place the fin. Once all fins have been placed, click the [Done] button.

Colour coding Red: Milling cutter inside material (1) Green: Miller cutter above material (2) Blue: Rough cut (3)

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User-defined drilling contours Save contour as drilling pattern

Ignore contour element The [Ignore contour element] button specifies elements in the source contour that are not to be traversed by the milling cutter. This is useful, for example, if the milling cutter is too wide for the contour and the milling path is to be truncated so a small-diameter hole can be drilled at the point in question (1). Click the elements you want to ignore. The selected elements are shown in blue (2). Click the [Done] button to remove all selected elements from the NC program and close the contour with a straight traverse (3).

The drilled holes needed in place of a cut can be specified with [Additional holes].

Finish and generate NC program Click [OK] at the bottom of the dialogue to generate the NC program and save it in the NC parts database. Contours can be placed as user-defined holes in project drawings or inside drilling patterns. They can be saved: •

In the 3D model

•

In the drilling pattern

•

In an NC DXF export

•

As an NC program for the selected machine

The generated contours are copied to the NC program and included in the machine-specific output files. You will see the contours machining paths in the machine software.

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User-defined drilling contours Save contour as drilling pattern

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Creating and using variable rails

16

Creating and using variable rails ......................... 16-2

16.1

Creating a contour drawing for variable rails ....................... 16-2

16.2

Define logical functions in a contour drawing ...................... 16-6

16.2.1 16.2.2

16.3

Definition of logical rails in a contour drawing ................................... 16-7 Definition of population planes in contour drawings.......................... 16-8

Assigning a contour drawing in the parts management .... 16-10

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16-1

Creating and using variable rails Creating a contour drawing for variable rails

16 Creating and using variable rails Users or system administrators can create custom variable rails in a drawing. These are assigned to a mechanical part in the parts management. After that, the variable rail will be ready to be placed in an enclosure project. While beeing placed, the base contour is extruded to the rail's length and forms a 3D solid. Definition and assignment of the rail's drawing are to be done in the sequence as follows: 1) Draw a base contour in the graphical editor. 2) Define the internal logical functions for the rail to be created. 3) Save the contour drawing in the graphical macro directory. 4) Assign the contour drawing to a part in the part management-

16.1 Creating a contour drawing for variable rails In the graphical editor, you can create a simple 2D contour as a base contour for a variable rail. Please regard the following conditions: •

The contour must be made up of lines and arcs.

•

The elements drawed must have the original dimensions of the rail to be produced. The contour will not be scaled when beeing placed.

•

There may be inner contours inside the contour, these will be cut out (hollow rail).

•

The contour must be closed and there may not be any double elements or open section points.

•

The contour must not intersect itself and may not have extremely small angles.

Go to the graphical editor. Tools | Graphical editor

Create sketch Create a new 2D sketch. File | New

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EPLAN Cabinet

Creating and using variable rails Creating a contour drawing for variable rails Draw in DIN A3 format and scale 1:1 in unit mm. You can accept the presets in the standard sheet dialog that shows up next unchanged by pressing [OK].

Draw contour Draw the contour as you want it using the elements line, rectangle, arc and circle. Use the element functions as described in the 'Graphical editor' chapter to get all lengths and diameters as needed. The dimensioning in the figure of an example contour at below are only for information; they are not necessary for an appropríate functionality.

Watch the section points of sequentional elements to be closed. Use the 'Search point' function to avoid gaps (See "Entering points with the mouse") or use 'T Trimming' to correct errors occurred.

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Creating and using variable rails Creating a contour drawing for variable rails Set origin Use "Elements | Drawing origin" to set the origin to a point of the contour that shall be used to move the contour on the cursor when been placed as a rail, a.e. on the rear edge's mid point. You may also set fillets and chamfers on the corners. Contour:

Result:

Inner contours inside the base contour will be cut out during the placement. You might create hollow rails this way. Contour:

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Result:

Creating and using variable rails Creating a contour drawing for variable rails

Save sketch as a drawing When the contour is finished, save the sketch as drawing by giving it a name. File | Save as Save your drawing in the ECDTRIGA4\MACROS directory . As file name, use the same name that is specified in the parts management to be used as the part's graphical macro, a.e MyCont2. The drawing is now ready to use, but you can as well extend it by more informations

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16-5

Creating and using variable rails Define logical functions in a contour drawing

16.2 Define logical functions in a contour drawing A variable rail's contour drawing may have both a graphical and logical function: •

Logical rails for definition of single rail guidelines

•

Population planes for components

The logical informations are written as texts into the drawing. : Description

Use

RAIL

Definition of rail routing lines

PLANE

Definition polulation planes

PLANC

Definition of population planes for NC use

FIELD

Adjustment of field sizes

All types may be used together in one drawing.

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Creating and using variable rails Define logical functions in a contour drawing

16.2.1 Definition of logical rails in a contour drawing A variable rail may have several routing lines on its front side. Therefore, 'logical rails' are set on to the contour rail's genuine graphic that define the rail's routing lines. The rail's routing lines are assigned to a text point using the description RAIL. The placement point of this text will become a 'logical rail' by extrusion in the 3D rail. The logical rail is graphically represented by a thin 3D solid. Such a logical rail can be activated and components can be placed on it like on a mounting rail.

Descriptions for logical rail routing lines Rail routing front side

RAIL

This takes influence on the orientation of the components.

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Creating and using variable rails Define logical functions in a contour drawing

16.2.2 Definition of population planes in contour drawings In a 2D drawing, population planes are defined by text points. A 2D line expands between the text points PLANEx.1 and PLANEx.2 which will form a plane while beeing extruded as a 3D solid. This plane is the mounting level and can be populated by components. Enter both points clockwise. The first number in the text defines, which two points will form the plane. The second number counts both points within one plane.

Mounting level for NC use If you want to a plane to be used for NC operation purposes, use the description 'PLANC' for it instead of PLANE. If no further informations are given, the field size of the NC plane is identical to the area available for population.

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Creating and using variable rails Define logical functions in a contour drawing

Setting field size If you want to modify the field size, enter a point named 'FIELD1.2' in addition to 'PLANC1.2'. This point will project the modified field size on to the line and expand the mounting plane this way.

Final step When the contour is finally drawn and all logical items are defined, save the drawing and finish the graphical editor.

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16-9

Creating and using variable rails Assigning a contour drawing in the parts management

16.3 Assigning a contour drawing in the parts management As a precondition for generating a variable rail from a contour drawing, you must first create a new part in the Central parts management. Do this in 'Mechanics Component - Housing accessoires, internal extension'. Tap the Housing accessoires node and select 'New' from the right mouse button's context menu. On the 'General' tab, enter properties as follows: •

Generic product group:

Mechanics

•

Product group:

Housing accessoires, internal extension

•

Product subgroup:

General

•

Part number:

a.e. VARRAIL1

•

Description 1:

a.e. Variable rail 1

On the Technical data tab, enter the name of the contour drawing that you want to assign to this part in the 'Cabinet graphical macro' space, a.e. MyCont2. Use the [...] button to open a file selection. Press [Apply] to save your entries in the database. In the 'Variable rail' function started, all general rails can be selected, that are assigned to a Cabinet graphical macro at this place. The contour drawing will be called just like a device's macro from the ECDTRIGA4\Macros directory. In the placement function's browser dialog, all rails are listed by part number, description 1 and contour drawing name.

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EPLAN Cabinet

Index

Index A

C

A(uto) trimming ...................... 11-32 Activating a component............. 3-2 Activating a component exclusively.................................. 3-7 Activating a part in routing...... 9-16 Activating modelling space..... 3-10 Add/delete wiring ..................... 9-30 Adding a new drawing to a current project ....................................... 2-14 Adding a new enclosure to the current drawing .......................... 4-9 Adding a Rittal TS8 enclosure 4-10 Adding a template drawing to the current project.......................... 2-15 Adding solids ......................... 11-43 Adding solids in a graphical macro ...................................... 14-22 Additional information on RiCAD 3D enclosure models ............... 4-75 Additional options for TS 8 enclosures ................................ 4-11 Adjusting the position of a device ................................................... 6-20 Advanced print settings Colour.................................... 8-9 Margins.................................. 8-9 Views................................... 8-10 Applying non-standard routing criteria ....................................... 9-16 Assigning a colour to a surface ................................................. 11-50 Assigning a contour drawing in the parts management........... 16-10 Assigning materials to wires... 9-28 Automatically assigned %T text variables.................................... 12-6 Auxiliary drawing line ............ 11-15

Centre line .............................. 11-15 Centring a view ........................ 3-15 Chamfering elements ............ 11-39 Changing a floor group in a drawing..................................... 4-16 Changing attributes............... 11-47 Changing enclosure names.... 4-23 Changing project information/project assignment ................................................... 7-23 Changing the column display in the device browser .................... 6-5 Changing the length of components ............................. 5-41 Changing the location and plant designation/unit ID .................. 6-21 Changing the scale of a view.. 3-17 Checking a drawing................. 7-12 Choice of manufacturing stage for export........................................ 9-43 Circle (centre point and radius/diameter)..................... 11-18 Circles and arcs..................... 11-17 Circular arc (centre point and radius/diameter)..................... 11-19 Closing a drawing.................... 11-6 Closing a project...................... 2-13 Components toolbar.................. 1-5 Conductor end treatment9-37, 9-38 Conductor end treatment for a Komax machine ....................... 9-39 Conductor end treatment for a Triathlon or CadCabel machine ................................................... 9-42 Configuring EPLAN Cabinet ... 7-40 Connecting outlets .................. 9-18 Connections list....................... 9-12

EPLAN Cabinet

16-1

Index

Connection-wire assignment .. 9-29 Copying a construction item... 5-45 Copying an enclosure.............. 4-21 Correcting the orientation of the enclosure .................................. 4-39 Counting in report configurations ................................................... 7-10 Create drilling template ........... 10-4 Create toolbar............................. 1-8 Create view of parts available for mounting on ............................. 3-12 Creating a contour drawing for variable rails ............................. 16-2 Creating a graphical macro drawing in EPLAN Cabinet ...... 14-6 Creating a new drilling pattern ................................................. 13-41 Creating a new enclosure project ..................................................... 2-4 Creating a new enclosure project by copying .................................. 2-8 Creating a new enclosure project from a template .......................... 2-8 Creating a new project in an existing EPLAN project............ 1-20 Creating a new report configuration .............................. 7-3 Creating a part.......................... 13-4 Creating a part in the parts management ............................. 13-2 Creating a project from a file..... 2-6 Creating a project inside an EPLAN project ............................ 2-4 Creating an enclosure template from a drawing ......................... 4-25 Creating an enclosure template from an imported model .......... 4-43 Creating and editing wire master data............................................ 9-32 Creating and modyfying solids ................................................. 11-40 Creating custom enclosure parts ................................................... 5-32

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EPLAN Cabinet

Creating custom standard sheets ................................................... 12-8 Creating custom views............ 3-14 Creating drawings ................... 11-4 Creating drilling patterns ...... 13-40 Creating mounting rails in parallel ................................................... 5-14 Creating the geometry for a graphical macro ....................... 14-8

D Define logical functions in a contour drawing....................... 16-6 Defining fields for single properties ................................... 7-6 Defining item types for reports. 7-4 Defining standard fields for reports ........................................ 7-5 Definition of logical rails in a contour drawing....................... 16-7 Definition of population planes in contour drawings..................... 16-8 Deleting a blocking line........... 9-22 Deleting a drawing from an enclosure project..................... 2-17 Deleting a view......................... 3-17 Deleting an enclosure ............. 4-24 Deleting an existing enclosure project....................................... 2-13 Deleting devices ...................... 6-22 Deleting production status values after summarizing.................... 9-44 Detail level for displaying parts in RiCAD 3D.................................. 4-76 Device tag labelling ................. 3-30 Dimensioning......................... 11-20 Dimensioning types............... 11-22 Display drilling view ................ 10-4 Display fill levels...................... 9-11 Display options and input aids ................................................. 11-47

Index

Displaying component labelling ................................................... 3-30 Displaying device information 6-17 Displaying router errors .......... 9-10 Displaying routing lists............ 9-12 Displaying wires....................... 9-10 Drawing a graphical macro in the Graphical Editor ....................... 14-7 Drawing the base contour for a drilling pattern .......................... 15-2 Drilling exceptions in the NC configuration .......................... 10-19

E Edit toolbar ................................. 1-7 Editing a duct ........................... 5-24 Editing a duct ........................... 5-25 Editing a mounting rail ............ 5-19 Editing a standard sheet drawing ................................................... 12-5 Editing dimensioning............. 11-24 Editing dimensioning text ..... 11-24 Editing elements .................... 11-31 Editing existing labels ............. 3-27 Editing sketches and drawings ................................................... 11-4 Editing text.............................. 11-30 Electrotechnical parts.............. 13-6 Elements for creating components ................................................. 11-11 Elements toolbar ...................... 1-14 Enclosure views ....................... 3-11 Entering points with the mouse ................................................... 1-23 Entering text ........................... 11-25 EPLAN Cabinet drawings ........ 2-14 EPLAN Cabinet menu bar........ 1-15 EPLAN Cabinet Navigator node ................................................... 1-18 EPLAN Cabinet parameters..... 7-24

EPLAN Cabinet projects ........... 2-4 EPLAN Cabinet toolbars ........... 1-3 Excluding a duct from routing 9-16 Export CADCabel..................... 9-47 Export drillings to machine .... 10-7 Export Komax .......................... 9-48 Export wires parts list ............. 9-45 Exporting NC data ................. 10-12 Exporting NC drilling data to DXF ................................................. 10-13 Exporting the wires parts list to a wiring centre ............................ 9-36 Exporting to a Triathlon wiring centre........................................ 9-46 External enclosure templates . 4-25 Extruding a contour............... 11-41

F File toolbar ................................. 1-4 Filleting elements .................. 11-37 Finding an enclosure in RiCAD 3D ................................................... 4-68 Fit geometry to view size ........ 3-16 Floor group as an accessory.. 4-16 Fluid parts .............................. 13-12 Freehand symbols ................... 1-27

G General print settings................ 8-5 Global parameter settings for labels ........................................ 3-23 Go to component in EPLAN.... 6-18 Graphical export to EPLAN..... 8-20 Graphical macro drawings in EPLAN Cabinet ........................ 14-4 Graphical macros General ............................... 14-2 Grouping wires ........................ 9-34

EPLAN Cabinet

16-3

Index

H

M

Handling of master data for wires ..................................................... 9-6 Hiding and showing items....... 3-21

Machine and material selection ................................................... 10-9 Making terminal connections match between layout and parts management database ............ 9-53 Manual contour definition....... 15-4 Manufacturer/supplier ............. 13-5 Maximum number of extended standard sheet variables......... 12-7 Measuring............................... 11-31 Mechanical parts.................... 13-12 Busbar adapters................ 13-37 Busbar holders.................. 13-35 Busbars............................. 13-31 Cable clamp rails .............. 13-30 Doors ................................ 13-25 Ducts................................. 13-27 Enclosures ........................ 13-13 Mounting panels................ 13-23 Mounting rails.................... 13-28 Modifying devices.................... 6-19 Modifying enclosures.............. 4-20 Modifying mounting panels after placement................................... 5-7 Modifying mounting panels after placement................................... 5-8 Modifying standard sheets ..... 12-5 Modifying the wire length of outlet connections ............................. 9-20 Modifying views ....................... 3-15 Modifying/creating drawing variables ................................... 12-7 Mouse input ............................. 1-22 Mouse stroke input.................. 1-24 Move enclosure........................ 4-20 Moving a structural component . 543

I Importing a 3D enclosure model ................................................... 4-33 Importing a wiring list................ 9-5 Importing parts data ................ 7-11 Importing project parameters . 7-14 Information, Organization and Security toolbar.......................... 1-9 Insert enclosure accessories .. 4-14 Insert mounting panel infill ....... 5-9 Inserting a floor group............. 4-19 Inserting a universal part......... 6-12 Inserting chassis/mounting rail ................................................... 4-12 Inserting partial mounting panel ................................................... 4-13 Installing RiCAD 3D ................. 4-63 Internal and external sides of terminal strips .......................... 9-54 Isometric view of all parts ......... 3-9 Item number labelling .............. 3-30 Item wiring direction ................ 9-26

K Komax ultrasonic welding conductor treatment ................ 9-40

L Labels........................................ 3-23 Line.......................................... 11-11 Logical drives ........................... 7-44

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EPLAN Cabinet

Moving a view .......................... 3-15 Moving an item to an active level ................................................... 5-45

Index

Moving elements .................... 11-34

N Navigator................................... 1-16 Navigator bookmarks .............. 1-19 NC configuration .................... 10-15 NC output dialogue .................. 10-9

O Opening an existing enclosure project ....................................... 2-10 Optimizing connections........... 9-25 Output from the report center . 8-11 Output to a symbol .................. 7-19 Output to an EPLAN Cabinet standard sheet.......................... 7-16 Output toolbar .......................... 1-10 Outputting summations of mechanical processing ............. 7-7

P Parameters Colours and text .................. 7-35 Drilling pattern dimensioning7-37 Drilling pattern geometry ..... 7-37 Eplan ................................... 7-32 General................................ 7-24 System ................................ 7-26 Voltage types for wires/ducts7-38 Parts selection for universal items ................................................... 6-14 Picking with the mouse ........... 1-22 Place devices again ................. 6-19 Place user-defined holes......... 5-37 Placement options for enclosures ..................................................... 4-4 Placement options when placing devices........................................ 6-8 Placing a blocking line ............ 9-21 Placing a cable clamp rail........ 5-26

Placing a duct .......................... 5-20 Placing a mounting panel ......... 5-3 Placing a mounting rail ........... 5-10 Placing a user-specified component ............................... 5-35 Placing a variable rail .............. 5-31 Placing and modifying a device 6-2 Placing busbar systems.......... 5-28 Placing busbar systems.......... 5-29 Placing drilling contours as userdefined drilling patterns.......... 15-5 Placing enclosures .................... 4-2 Placing outlets ......................... 9-17 Placing text ............................ 11-26 Print parts list for removed wires ................................................... 9-31 Print preview .............................. 8-4 Print wires parts list ................ 9-45 Printer installation ................... 7-46 Printing a drawing ..................... 8-2 Project information.................. 7-15 Punching solids ..................... 11-44

R Recessing solids ................... 11-45 Rectangle ............................... 11-16 Redo.......................................... 1-30 Relative point input ............... 11-49 Remaining parts list ................ 9-15 Renumbering components ..... 3-30 Report center Configuration selection ....... 8-12 Filter.................................... 8-17 Further parameters ............. 8-19 Graphics options ................. 8-18 Output ................................. 8-15 Report ................................. 8-16 Report scope....................... 8-14 Report type ......................... 8-13 Report configuration ................. 7-2

EPLAN Cabinet

16-5

Index

Repositioning label text........... 3-31 Resizing a view......................... 3-16 Retrieving and selecting standard sheets........................................ 12-3 RiCAD 3D enclosures .............. 4-62 Rotate enclosure ...................... 4-20 Rotating a contour ................. 11-42 Rotating a user-defined part ... 5-34 Rotating a view......................... 3-35 Rotating elements .................. 11-36 Routing Basics.................................... 9-3 Routing control centre............... 9-7 Running RiCAD 3D from CD.... 4-63 Running RiCAD 3D from hard disk ................................................... 4-63

S Save all...................................... 11-9 Save as...................................... 11-7 Save contour as drilling pattern ................................................... 15-2 Saving a base contour as a drilling pattern....................................... 15-3 Saving a contour as a machinespecific production description ................................................... 15-6 Saving a current drawing as a template .................................... 2-16 Saving a drawing...................... 11-6 Saving a floor group ................ 4-18 Saving a graphical macro...... 14-29 Saving a report configuration ... 7-7 Saving an enclosure as a template ................................................... 4-60 Screen division......................... 7-41 Searching in the Navigator...... 1-19 Selecting a standard sheet...... 12-3 Selecting an enclosure from the database...................................... 4-2

16-6

EPLAN Cabinet

Selecting commands in EPLAN Cabinet ..................................... 1-21 Selecting devices in the device browser....................................... 6-6 Selecting the parts database .. 13-3 Selecting voltage types........... 5-24 Separately editing a floor group ................................................... 4-18 Set grid ..................................... 3-37 Setting a drawing origin for userdefined parts ............................ 5-34 Setting and changing the print area ............................................. 8-3 Setting default text parameters ................................................. 11-27 Setting the drawing origin .... 11-10 Setting working plane on a plane surface.................................... 11-50 Show paths .............................. 9-23 Showing and hiding labels ..... 3-28 Showing and hiding standard sheets ....................................... 12-4 Showing/hiding hidden edges 3-34 Showing/hiding shading ......... 3-33 Specify blocking surface for drilling....................................... 10-6 Specifying a blocking surface 6-16 Specifying a graphical macro for EPLAN Cabinet ........................ 14-3 Specifying a hexagonal cutout ................................................. 13-54 Specifying a octogonal cutout ................................................. 13-55 Specifying a rectangular cutout (chamfered) ............................ 13-50 Specifying a rectangular cutout (filleted)................................... 13-48 Specifying a rectangular cutout (right-angle)............................ 13-46 Specifying a routing range ....... 9-8 Specifying a slot .................... 13-52

Index

Specifying an individual hole (length-independent) ............. 13-43 Specifying an individual threaded hole (length-independent) ..... 13-45 Specifying an origin for the enclosure .................................. 4-56 Specifying enclosure components ................................................... 4-45 Specifying holes for ducts/rails (length-dependent)................. 13-56 Specifying macro orientation in 3D space....................................... 14-23 Specifying mounting panels in enclosure templates ................ 4-28 Specifying the drawing origin in a graphical macro ..................... 14-27 Specifying threaded holes for ducts/rails (length-dependent).. 1357 Standard sheet variables......... 12-7 Standard sheets Principles............................. 12-2 Starting EPLAN Cabinet ............ 1-2 Stroke and hold movements ... 1-26 Stroke movements without holding ...................................... 1-25 Subtracting solids.................. 11-43 Swap door hinging................... 4-15

T T trimming............................... 11-32 Terminals in EPLAN Cabinet... 9-50 Testing a graphical macro..... 14-30 Text Overview ........................... 11-25 Text variables in standard sheet drawings ................................... 12-5 Tool selection for drillings ...... 10-9

Tool selection for mrilling..... 10-10 Tool selection for thread cutting ................................................. 10-10 Tools toolbar............................ 1-13 Totals in report configurations. 7-8 Transferring an enclosure to EPLAN Cabinet ........................ 4-77 T-trimming solids................... 11-46

U Undo ......................................... 1-30 Updating a standard sheet...... 12-5 Updating EPLAN project parts lists ........................................... 7-11 Updating routing master data... 9-5 Using custom 3D models as enclosure templates ................ 4-32 Using filters in the device browser ..................................................... 6-3 Using graphical macros in EPLAN Cabinet ..................................... 14-5 Using RiCAD 3D data .............. 4-65

V View toolbar ............................... 1-6 Viewing and assigning logical drives ........................................ 7-45 Viewpoints toolbar................... 1-11 Views toolbar ........................... 1-12 Visibility of labels .................... 3-25 Windows printer drivers.......... 7-46 Wire make-up configuration ... 9-36 Wires parts list......................... 9-13

Z Zoom......................................... 3-18

EPLAN Cabinet

16-7

Index

16-8

EPLAN Cabinet