Eplan has now introduced new features into its 'Eplan eView Free' that give service personnel in particular more flexibility than before. Tobias Kratz, Business Owner Rapid Design at Eplan, explains: "Eplan eView Free supports the service team during maintenance by visualizing the digital twin with the full depth of information. With the new 3D graphics engine, entire areas of an enclosure can now be shown and hidden and even individual components can be highlighted." For example, if a service technician hides side panels or doors, all components are freely accessible. This means a full view of the inner workings of the enclosure - simply via an Internet browser.

The new 3D view: projects can be conveniently visualized.

© Eplan

How does the process work? Users register on the Eplan website and can upload their current projects there. The eView Free application is then used to visualize the project documentation in 2D as a circuit diagram or in 3D as a virtual image of the enclosure. The newly integrated split-screen technology provides extra space in the view: the circuit diagram and AR model of the enclosure can now also be displayed side by side - so that, for example, the fault can be traced quickly in the event of a machine standstill and the faulty components in the enclosure are highlighted. If the service personnel need further information, they can open the 3D model of a component directly from the circuit diagram in Eplan eView Free.

Interaction between engineering and service

The service technician can use the redlining function to note the change in the circuit diagram, which is then forwarded to the engineering department. The result is documentation that is always up to date, even for future maintenance or service cases. Greenlinings can also be used to note setpoint values directly in the circuit diagram, for example. The fact that the entire documentation can be viewed at any time and from anywhere in the world if it is stored in the Eplan Cloud facilitates collaboration across departmental boundaries.

Place control cabinets anywhere in the room

The options for placing control cabinets in the virtual room have also been simplified. An enclosure can be positioned anywhere in the room using the camera on a tablet or smartphone. It can be projected into any desired virtual space as an overlay on the real world using AR technology - for example in a machine hall. Access to the AR function via the Vuforia app from PTC has also been simplified. Users of the free application can now call up the AR function in the 3D view in Eplan eView Free with a single click. The software then generates a QR code or link, which can also be shared with other project participants.

Interview: The concrete benefits of AR

Tobias Kratz, Business Owner Rapid Design at Eplan

© Eplan

The new 3D engine is intended to make service and maintenance more convenient. Tobias Kratz, Business Owner Rapid Design at Eplan, explains exactly what this means.

Mr. Kratz, how does the service technician actually benefit from being able to access the 3D model and the circuit diagram?
Tobias Kratz: The service technician can use the digital twin to view both the circuit diagram pages and the control cabinet as a 3D model. He therefore has a reference between the components and the function macros in the circuit diagram - this speeds up troubleshooting. Thanks to the new split-screen view, this is now also possible in parallel.

Placing a control cabinet virtually in the real world is certainly interesting. What scenarios are possible in an industrial environment?
Kratz: The AR model is particularly helpful in approval processes with customers, as it also allows non-technicians to visually inspect the control cabinet or the structure of the cabinet. For example, the customer can visualize the AR model in its original size at the final installation location and check the dimensions. The model automatically includes the original size at the start. This allows service technicians to better prepare for maintenance and the time it takes to de-energize an enclosure to replace components can be reduced to a minimum.

Is there added value earlier in the process, for example in sales?
Kratz: In the quotation phase or accompanying the quotation, companies can provide an AR model that makes the product, i.e. the enclosure, tangible even before assembly. This is a good way for companies to demonstrate their own innovative strength in the market.