Never has it been so easy to discover the opportunities offered by digital value creation and the associated practical benefits. In a comprehensive showcase at SPS IPC Drives, Rittal will be demonstrating what control and switchgear engineers need to know if they are to make the most of the advantages of networked engineering solutions and digital data/tools. The focus will be on the solutions' direct, long-term benefits - entirely in keeping with the Rittal slogan "Our expertise. Your benefit." Other highlights of the trade fair will include a virtual 3D tour of the new Rittal Innovation Centre to experience Control and Switchgear Manufacturing 4.0 along with numerous products such as a new, integrated cooling solution for enclosure technology and a new cooling solution for small and medium-sized industrial IT applications.
The same major challenges apply to control and switchgear manufacturing as to mechanical engineering, that is to say continuously improving productivity, systematically developing innovations and manufacturing/supplying products under ever greater time and cost pressure. The opportunities opened up by end-to-end digitisation of processes in line with the Industrial Internet of things (Industry 4.0) are becoming increasingly apparent. At the SPC IPC Drives automation trade fair, Rittal is looking to showcase the significant potential benefits of its solutions - and those of sister company Eplan.
For example, the system supplier will be using a large, animated presentation wall to highlight the opportunities offered by digital technology to add value in engineering. It will be demonstrating the intelligent interaction of the software, data and configuration solutions offered by Rittal and Eplan, making it clear how the individual tools work together to boost the value creation of engineering processes through enhanced efficiency. The portfolio of solutions on show will range from the engineering and planning tools Eplan Electric P8, Eplan Pro Panel, Thermal Design Integration (TDI), Rittal Power Engineering and Rittal Therm to the portals for CAD/CAE data (Eplan Data Portal, Partcommunity) and the new RiDiag software to a number of digital selection aids. Visitors will be able to configure their own customised enclosures live at the trade fair stand and calculate instantly online how much energy they could save by using the new Blue e+ cooling units.
Enclosure manufacturing 4.0 in 3D
Another highlight will be the virtual reality presentation of the new Rittal Innovation Centre, which opened in Haiger in the Hesse region of Germany in August. Visitors will be able to don 3D glasses and take a virtual tour of the 1 200 square metre hall to gain a very special insight into Control and Switchgear Manufacturing 4.0's value chains. The Rittal Innovation Centre aims to develop solutions in innovation partnerships with its customers and continuously make further product adaptations in line with market requirements. A number of the new Rittal Automation Systems developments - such as the Perforex BC enclosure machining centre, semi-automatic machines for rapid cable processing and hand-held tools - can be tried out live at the show. The extent to which Eplan's Smart Wiring digital planning tool simplifies mounting plate wiring will also be demonstrated.
New systems for far greater productivity
In addition, Rittal will be exhibiting numerous product highlights for mechanical, climate, power and IT applications. The company's time/cost-saving system technology enables assembly-friendly enclosure expansion for significantly higher productivity. Energy-efficient, communication-enabled solutions also meet the need for low energy consumption and the requirements associated with Industry 4.0.
Product highlights will include the LED system light specifically developed for complete enclosure illumination. To meet global requirements, Rittal is setting new standards with energy-efficient and high-performance LED technology providing up to 1 200 lumens. It also offers comfortable connec-tion and mounting options. Innovative details such as Fresnel lenses and simplified connection technology optimise enclosure lighting and make installation tasks far easier. A 600-lumen light for use in TS 8 enclosures and a 400-lumen model for use in compact enclosures will be unveiled at the event. Visitors will be able to see this new dimension of enclosure illumination for themselves at the Rittal stand.
The prototype of an integrated cooling solution will be a further highlight. Customers will benefit from an integrated solution comprising TS 8 enclosure systems and the latest cooling units from a single source. Rittal will also be showcasing its new Blue e+ generation of cooling units. In the future, it will be possible to equip these units with new communication interfaces ready for Industry 4.0 scenarios. This opens up new potential for cutting operating costs, including asset management, condition monitoring and predictive maintenance. Another feature of the units is that they consume 75% less energy than conventional products.
Rittal is extending its portfolio for efficient enclosure climate control with a new generation of roof-mounted fans. Besides delivering a higher air throughput of up to 1 000 m3/h, the new range is also extremely flexible, offers easy installation and satisfies protection category IP55. What's more, EC technology ensures users can implement energy-efficient, high-performance climate control in enclosures. Visitors to the Rittal stand will be able to see for themselves how easy it is to install the roof-mounted fan.
Never has IT been so easy
The digitisation of processes generates huge volumes of highly sensitive data. Even SMBs that are aiming for an IT infrastructure comprising just three or four racks require an IT environment that combines easy installation with cost-efficient and fail-safe operation. Rittal will be using the event to exhibit quick and easy IT solutions for all applications - from racks with appropriate cooling to safes and complete container solutions for data centres. The IT product highlights on show will include the TS IT rack, IT cooling units and the Micro Data Center. In a live demonstration of reliable IT monitoring technology, a cooling circuit fault will be triggered at the touch of a button. Visitors will then be able to see the physical and media-based processes during an emergency scenario.
Smart engineering at Eplan
In a joint presentation at Stand 210 in Hall 6, affiliates Cideon and Eplan Software & Service will be showcasing innovative solutions for enhanced engineering efficiency. Once again, the focal point will be the "House of Mechatronics" and the associated Syngineer mechatronic communication and information platform. Further technological highlights will include Eplan Platform 2.6, Eplan Smart Wiring for enclosures and a sneak preview of automation solutions.
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Rittal
Rittal, headquartered in Herborn, Germany, is a leading global provider of solutions for industrial enclosures, power distribution, climate control and IT infrastructure, as well as software and services. Systems made by Rittal are deployed across a variety of industrial and IT applications, including vertical sectors such as the transport industry, power generation, mechanical and plant engineering, IT and telecommunications. Rittal is active worldwide with 10 000 employees and 58 subsidiaries.
Its broad product range includes infrastructure solutions for modular and energy-efficient data centres with innovative concepts for the security of physical data and systems. Leading software providers EPLAN and Cideon complement the value chain, providing interdisciplinary engineering solutions, while Rittal Automation Systems offer automation systems for switchgear construction.
Founded in Herborn in 1961 and still run by its owner, Rittal is the largest company in the Friedhelm Loh Group. The Friedhelm Loh Group operates worldwide with 18 production sites and 78 international subsidiaries. The entire group employs more than 11 500 people and generated revenues of around EUR2.2 billion in 2015. In 2016, it was named one of Germany's leading employers by the Top Employers Institute, for the eighth year running. Within the scope of a Germany-wide survey, Focus Money magazine identified the Friedhelm Loh Group as one of the nation's best providers of vocational training.
For more information, visit www.rittal.com and www.friedhelm-loh-group.com.
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