In this recurring blog series, 'What Does Rittal Do', we aim to demystify every facet of our company.
This instalment focuses on everything that goes on inside the Rittal Application Centre. This is our hub for all things automation, as we will explore the various tools and machinery designed to streamline your production line. The Application Centre is also unique with its integration with Eplan software and is a great way to further strengthen your value chain.
What is the Rittal Application Centre (RAC)?
The Rittal Application Centre is a working modification centre that allows you to team up with our experts for their advice and guidance when completing your projects. Based at our Rotherham site, the Centre allows you to see first-hand how our state-of-the-art automation machines and Eplan software can boost your productivity. Based in the convenient location of our Rotherham site, the Application Centre is an opportunity for you to witness first-hand how our state-of-the-art automation machines and Eplan software can streamline your workflow.
By demonstrating practical, actionable advice and identifying ways to improve productivity, this experience provides you with a collaborative experience that encourages you to leverage digitalisation and automation. Sister companies Rittal and Eplan work cohesively to create a seamless project flow from engineering and procurement to production and operation.
Our Application Centre Principles
Modification and Integration
We live by the principle of ‘‘servitization’, which we define as augmenting a product with a service. This principle aids us in explaining the primary function of our Application Centre. Providing a modification and integration service could add a huge amount of value to our enclosure and rack ranges for you.
At the Application Centre, we are able to complete those simple but tedious time-consuming tasks, such as making holes and cut-outs in panels, and cutting DIN rail and wire ducts to length. Our machines from our Rittal Automation Systems range are perfectly suited to the job.
We can also integrate these cut components, as well as other Rittal products, into the modified enclosures or racks on your behalf. We will then ship the partially finished product to you, which gives you more time to focus on installing equipment and connection or wiring. These aspects are ultimately the areas where you add the most value to the build.
In the current climate of skilled labour shortages, this service could help you maintain your output despite a shrinking workforce or increase your output if your existing resource levels are maintained.
In short, modification and integration as a service can boost your productivity in significant ways. By taking advantage of our Application Centre, you can gain the benefits of automation technology without any hefty upfront investments.
Business Collaboration
The Rittal Application Centre showcases modern automated equipment that saves time and resources during modification, component cutting, wire preparation and wiring processes. Our machinery includes tools like the Wiring Station, a workstation that semi-automates the preparation of wires to precise lengths and combines with Eplan Smart Production software, which uses data created in Eplan ProPanel to greatly simplify wiring itself. This can be a great first step on your automation journey.
When you visit our Centre, our team will take the time to understand your goals and challenges, discuss what processes are working well for you, as well as those that could be improved and ways in which digitalisation and automation could make your design and manufacturing more efficient.
These recommendations will help keep your business competitive. During your visit, you will be able to visualise why implementing digital software solutions saves time and reduces challenges. With the combined knowledge of Rittal and Eplan, the automation and electrical engineering aspects of your business operations are in safe hands, and can help your business thrive.
Reasons to Visit the Application Centre
State-of-the-art Machinery
The Rittal Application Centre showcases modern automated machinery that simplifies the modification process. This includes tools like the Wiring Station, a semi-automated workstation that uses Eplan Smart Wiring software to prepare wires to precise measurements, as created in Eplan ProPanel. This can be a great way to firstly introduce automation into your workflow.
Our Perforex Milling Terminal is very versatile as it can be used to modify both flat and full enclosures. Whether you need holes drilling, threads tapped, or cut-outs made, the Perforex will get the job done. A task that could take 8 hours to complete manually can be achieved in under 15 minutes. Imagine the time savings you could compound over time…
Lastly, our Secarex machine is great for the preparation of wire ducts and DIN rails. Automatically cut these components to the exact length you need to fit onto your mounting plate. The software evaluates the best use of space and materials, meaning you always get the perfect fit on the first try.
Also included in our Centre is an Assembly Frame which supports your mounting plates and panels in positions that promote ergonomic working. Our Smart Lifter aids the raising and moving of populated suites of enclosures on your shop floor and at site. Both of these products allow you to carry out your work in a safer way. Lastly, our Storage and Transport Trolley allows flat panels to be stored and moved simply and without risk of damage.
Eplan Software Integration
Eplan’s engineering design software, Pro Panel, is used to design 3D control panels. The digital smart data from these designs can then be transferred to the Perforex to modify enclosures, or to the Secarex machine to cut DIN rails and trunking. This end-to-end automated workflow ensures precision and effortlessly reduces your workload. Digital continuity is a stand-out feature for all Eplan software, meaning you don’t need to worry about storing project documentation or losing your parts list.
The Rittal-Eplan integration can be broken down into 4 key stages:
- Engineering
During the engineering process, Eplan software is used to plan and design the enclosure, creating the digital twin of the real-life product in the form of a consistent data model. Planning is based on high-quality 3D data that maps the enclosure and its accessories and is complemented by project-specific component and wiring information. - Sourcing
Data from the digital twin is also accessed during commercial processes and can be connected to the ERP system. Generated at a single central point, it is then used on a decentralized basis, and can also be added to and edited. This makes media discontinuity a thing of the past. If data needs to be modified, this is done just once for the whole system and the entire process adapts accordingly. - Manufacturing
A comprehensive portfolio of solutions from Rittal supports all steps in the manufacturing process. The data from the digital twin enables a great many processes to be automated during this phase, too, including panel machining, cable fabrication and the cutting of cable ducts or support rails. This is made possible by using manufacturer-neutral standards for data and data communication, which improves interoperability between the various systems. - Operations
Many data enclosures and components such as climate control units are now equipped with sensors that generate a continuous flow of data. This data is used to offer service and energy management activities as required during ongoing operation, which improves the availability and efficiency of machinery and equipment.
This seamless workflow ensures faster turnaround times, fewer manual interventions, and cost-effective precision throughout your entire value chain.
Enhanced Productivity and Profit
By prioritising digital tools and automation, highly skilled staff can focus on more pressing tasks. Long gone are the days of turning jobs down, which is great news for your business.
Take a look at our Perforex Return on Investment Calculator to visualise how much you could be saving by implementing Rittal's automation solutions.
Final Thoughts
Some Rittal customers aren’t aware of the magic that the Rittal Application Centre has to offer. We hope that this blog post illuminates an aspect of our company that really has the potential to streamline your workflow and boost your productivity and profitability.
If you are interested in visiting the Rittal Application Centre, please contact us via email at applicationcentre@rittal.co.uk. We look forward to bolstering your business operations!
Want to find out more? You can watch our Rittal unBoxed episode on Youtube which includes a detailed tour of the Rittal Application Centre.
