Now is best to test: the EPLAN Platform 2027
Preview@EplanNext26
Users can already try out the beta version of the upcoming EPLAN Platform 2027, which offers even more value and numerous new features to help electrical engineers reach their goals even faster. It is achieved along the three process steps of preplanning, electrical engineering and control cabinet design – in a structured, straightforward manner that is additionally ideal for even highly complex projects. One of the highlights in the new version, which will be available starting in September, will be the integration of EPLAN Copilot. The solution provider EPLAN will be presenting a first look of the new software, live at Eplan Next26.
For all three software packages of the EPLAN Platform 2027 – EPLAN Preplanning, EPLAN Electric P8 and EPLAN Pro Panel – users can expect new features for the launch in September. From the user’s perspective, what all the different features have in common is that they simplify project planning and thereby speed up design processes.
Comparing parts is made easy on the EPLAN Platform 2027. The data of up to ten components can be compared and the engineer can specifically filter for the differences. The comparison can also take place while the project is being synchronised with the product database.
Taken into account: EPLAN Copilot
A key new feature is the introduction of EPLAN Copilot to the EPLAN Platform 2027. EPLAN’s proprietary artificial intelligence is being launched with a wide range of functions. One highlight is the Knowledge Service, which can be accessed from EPLAN’s homepage or directly from within a project. It offers comprehensive assistance that goes well beyond all previous help tools as EPLAN’s internal expertise is being made available in a structured manner for the first time. Copilot can provide detailed answers to complex questions and guides users to their goals one step at a time.
Another example of the benefits of Copilot is the parts reference lookup. If engineers would like to know in which projects they have used a product or component, they just need to enter the part number. Copilot then searches the projects in the cloud and supplies direct links to the project pages where the respective parts are being used.
Control cabinet assembly with wire end processing
Wire end processing will now be integrated into 3D control cabinet design in EPLAN Pro Panel. Wire end ferrules can be assigned to the specific wire class installed and clearly documented for automated or manual wire assembly. This increases automation for wire management – engineers no longer must assign the wire types themselves.
Complexity is reduced, AI supports engineers
This brief overview of a few of the new features of EPLAN Platform 2027 shows that the functionality is increasing without making it more difficult to use. Quite the contrary, since many new features have been developed with the goal of simplifying not only electrical engineering, including preplanning and control cabinet design, but also for using the EPLAN Platform at all levels. EPLAN recommends users best test it themselves – by trying out the new platform as beta testers.
In EPLAN Preplanning, rotating and arranging symbols and interrupting lines in compliance with standards have been automated, as has the representation of process flow directions in P&I diagrams.
Preplanning now with many automated functions
During the preplanning phase, the first stage of a project, users will be able to take advantage of a variety of automated functions moving forward – for instance, replacing macros in piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs). In such cases, the logic and structure adapt accordingly when engineers select a different variant. The rotation and arrangement of symbols, the interruption of lines in compliance with standards, and the representation of process flow directions have also been automated – EPLAN Preplanning can do all this automatically in the 2027 version.
3D project generation
Previously, automated project generation was only available in 2D. Starting with the EPLAN Platform 2027, project generation is now also possible in 3D. This means that engineers will also be able to populate empty mounting panels with mounting rails. How? For instance, by specifying that only power supply components or just terminals are to be placed on the defined mounting rails.
Electrical design: the graphical editor thinks ahead
The EPLAN Electric P8 graphical editor is also getting new features that make work for engineers even easier – for instance, the built-in preview. Clicking on a device immediately displays the associated EPLAN functions or macros. This means the engineer no longer has to insert the device to see its structure. This also simplifies variant engineering. Tag management also provides better overviews and saves time since all user-defined tags will now be displayed, including the device for which they were created. Engineers will be able to edit, delete, import or export them – ensuring greater clarity.
New in the parts management: device comparisons
Which power supply or which frequency inverter is the best suited for a particular application? That can be very quickly and easily determined by the parts compare function. It compares the data of up to ten parts, which the engineer can then specifically filter for differences. The parts comparison can also take place while the project is being synchronised with the product database.
