The Melsoft iQ Works suite offers software solutions that are required for programming Mitsubishi Electric 's automation products. With the new integration solution from Eplan Electric P8, data such as symbolic addresses can now be exchanged bidirectionally with the current software suite. "The result is valid circuit diagrams including bus cabling between the PLC components and high-quality hardware configurations," explains Eplan Managing Director Maximilian Brandl.

The data set generated in Eplan is the basis for the PLC hardware structure (rack) and the software programming. According to Brandl, the special feature: "The data is passed on throughout the entire product development process as a single source of truth. The required component data is provided by the Eplan Data Portal. This speeds up the configuration of components and design planning". With the new link to the current Eplan platform, version 2.7, users can exchange, subsequently edit and synchronize project data at any project stage and in any direction. Multiple data entry is no longer necessary and input errors are directly avoided. Collaboration between electrical engineering designers and software developers should also be simplified. Users in electrical design benefit from several advantages: The assignment of PLC assemblies is transparent. Assemblies can be edited more quickly with system support. Last-minute changes can be implemented more easily and consistently.

AutomationML as a basis

The AutomationML standard is crucial for integration: as a manufacturer-neutral, standardized and XML-based data format, it can map planning information relating to plant topology and structure, geometry and logic. AutomationML uses the CAEX (Computer Aided Engineering Exchange) data format, which is already internationally standardized in IEC 62424/IEC 62714, to represent structural and topology information. This offers object-oriented basic concepts that are used for the representation of plant structures. AutomationML also offers the option of passing on the system structure, such as the rack structure. According to Eplan, this provides complete and well-structured documentation, including for maintenance and servicing. Finally, data from various software tools, such as device information, can be exchanged between manufacturers and users and easily integrated into the documentation.

The iQ-Works software suite combines the programs GX Works3, MT Works2, GT Works3, RT ToolBox2 and FR Configurator2. Software integration is supported by the Navigator, which acts as a graphical interface between the user and the central system configuration. Further simplification is achieved through the cross-project use of system labels and parameters. Eplan and Mitsubishi Electric have enjoyed a strategic partnership for many years. For example, Eplan is a member of the e-F@ctory Alliance; in return, Mitsubishi Electric provides data in the Eplan Data Portal.