With Eplan eView Free AR, a new augmented reality (AR) application, Eplan now brings the digital twin wherever users happen to find themselves. Designers can share their 3D designs of the control cabinet layout from Eplan Pro Panel with co-workers and business partners via the cloud. Eplan Program Manager Digitalisation Tim Oerter oversees the development of AR solutions and explains how to get started with Eplan eView Free AR: “A control cabinet is constructed in Eplan Pro Panel and subsequently uploaded to the Eplan ePulse cloud environment. This makes it possible to share 3D designs with other users within an ePulse organisation.” This also automatically generates both a link and a QR code that can be forwarded to the desired recipients. They can then use their smartphone or tablet computer to scan the code using the gratis app Vuforia View from PTC. Now the 3D design can be displayed anywhere using the camera of the end device – and can thus be projected onto a desktop or in the production environment as examples. Changes can also be made by touching any control cabinet components: simply tap the component and the system opens the 2D view of the schematics, for instance for further finetuning using the redlining and greenlining functions.
Development continues
Solutions provider Eplan sees further opportunities in the use of AR technology – particularly in the areas of service and maintenance. Developers are currently working on a fee-based app that will be offering many more features in the future. The goal is create a direct link from the actual model of a control cabinet to its digital twin. By scanning a QR code attached to the control cabinet, service personnel will then be able to access all the machine’s data. Another goal is to introduce redlining and greenlining functions in the production environment and thereby create a direct possibility for troubleshooting.
Background information on augmented reality
Augmented reality makes it possible to superimpose a digital model into the real environment and enhance it in this way. In contrast to virtual reality, a user isn’t immersed into a virtual world using VR goggles. Instead, virtual objects are projected into a person’s actual environment. All one needs is a smartphone or tablet computer with a camera.
Find out more, including an informational video, at:
www.eplan-software.com/eplan-eview/
EPLAN provides software and service solutions in the fields of electrical, automation and mechatronic engineering. The company develops one of the world’s leading design software solutions for machine and panel builders. EPLAN is also the ideal partner to streamline challenging engineering processes.
Both standardised as well as customised interfaces to ERP and PLM/PDM systems ensure data consistency along the whole value chain. Working with EPLAN means boundless communication across all engineering disciplines. No matter whether small or large enterprises: Customers can apply their expertise more efficiently. EPLAN wants to grow further with customers and partners and pushes integration and automation in engineering forward. Worldwide, EPLAN supports over 58,000 customers. "Efficient engineering" is the focus.
EPLAN was founded in 1984 and is part of the owner-operated Friedhelm Loh Group. The Friedhelm Loh Group operates worldwide with 12 production sites and 96 international subsidiaries. The entire group employs 12.100 people and generated revenues of around €2,6 billion in 2019. For the twelfth time in succession, the family business has won the accolade "Top German Employer" in 2020. In addition Friedhelm Loh Group was recognized as "Top vocational trainer" according to a study of Deutschland Test and Focus Money.
For more information visit:
www.eplan.de and www.friedhelm-loh-group.com
EPLAN GmbH & Co. KG
An der alten Ziegelei 2
40789 Monheim
Telefon: +49 (2173) 3964-0
Telefax: +49 (2173) 3964-25
http://www.eplan.de
Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Telefon: +49 (2173) 3964-180
Fax: +49 (2173) 3964-163
E-Mail: hagelschuer.b@eplan.de
