Page 27 - Industrial Technology magazine February 2021 issue

DESIGN ENGINEERING

Panel building process

CABINETS AND PANELS

CONTROL SYSTEM AND SWITCHGEAR ENGINEERS FACE ENORMOUS
TIME PRESSURES TODAY, A DIFFICULTY FURTHER COMPLICATED BY
THE NUMEROUS MANUAL STEPS INVOLVED IN MANUFACTURING
ONE-OFF SOLUTIONS. HERE, RITTAL’S MARK GUEST ARGUES THAT
IMPLEMENTING EASILY ASSEMBLED ENCLOSURE SYSTEMS AND
INTELLIGENT SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS CAN ENHANCE EFFICIENCY.

ontrol and switchgear manufacturers are looking central database. All programmed workflows are thus
for ways to improve productivity. And they find immediately available on the machine and can be reused.
them by leveraging the latest machining Alternatively, almost all standard CAD and e-planning
Ctechnology to increase automation in their value- systems can be used for programming.
creation processes. To this end, a variety of automation
solutions exist that help to accelerate individual Fast and accurate machining
manufacturing tasks, and they can be scaled to a A further key development is the new Perforex LC 3D laser
business’s size, and tailored to its specific imperatives. centre. As its name suggests, it uses laser technology to
In addition to enclosure systems and software quickly and accurately machine panels, but also entire
solutions, Rittal Automation Systems now also provides enclosures and housings. The 3D laser technology is ideal
the machining and handling technology needed for time- for machining stainless steel, sheet steel and powder- visualisation with laser pointers, it is now possible for
and cost-efficient production in the control and switchgear coated plates such as enclosure doors, side panels, etc. protracted and complex measuring processes, inaccurate
manufacturing business. The portfolio ranges from manual Coated sheet metal parts, even with delicate contours, can cutting and complex handling to be consigned to the past.
tools to fully automated machining centres. also be cut without causing any noticeable damage to High-performance tools deliver better quality, optimised
To optimise the machining of panels and enclosures in coatings or discolouration. waste quotas, lower costs and a faster overall process.
the workshop and boost efficiency, Rittal supplies Perforex Perforex LC 3015 is cost-effective when machining Wiring all the components in an enclosure is a complex
machining centres, which have been developed specially just 150 stainless steel enclosures or 300 sheet steel process that is prone to errors. Rittal Automation Systems
for control and switchgear manufacturing. These systems enclosures per year. It machines stainless steel twenty is tackling this problem head on and offers ‘Smart Wiring’,
are used to drill holes, tap threads and perform milling times faster than conventional milling processes and can a solution provided by Rittal’s sister company Eplan. This
work on workpieces – on an automated basis. All the process five enclosure surfaces simultaneously in a non- new software tool is used to provide production systems
materials commonly used in enclosures can be machined, contact, low-vibration manufacturing process. The laser with all the information needed for wiring such as wiring
such as steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, various centre also features user-friendly workshop programming, routes, etc. It also visualises this data. Users save a great
plastics and other machinable materials, mounting plates, has interfaces for Eplan Pro Panel and gives users the deal of time compared to manual wiring. And for the first
chamfered and coated doors, covers, console plates, option of processing the neutral DXF format. time, Rittal’s offering now includes a crimping machine for
casings and much more besides. The manufacturer also supplies the Secarex cutting cutting and assembling cables. For the very highest level
The user interface of the Perforex system makes centre, which is designed to cut cable ducts, cable duct of wiring, Rittal offers the fully automatic Averex wiring
workshop programming easy to learn and supports remote covers and support rails to size quickly, accurately and robot for large-series production.
servicing. The software is network-capable and uses a safely. Thanks to the automatic length stop and cut MORE INFORMATION: www.rittal.co.uk

Stocked non-metallic industrial enclosures

Environmental sealing up to IP68

Learn more: hammfg.com/uk-ind

uksales@hammfg.com • 01256 812812 IP66 PJU Polyester IP68 1554 Polycarbonate