Software with built-in prototype functionality speeds time
to market for control panel builders, system integrators, and original
equipment manufacturers through its ability to handle design, setup and testing
of control panel components prior to assembly. As a result, this capability enables
users of the software to improve quality, reduce risk, ease integration,
streamline commissioning, and better manage product lifecycles compared to
paper-based project documentation, which has a tendency to be difficult to find
when needed the most.
By running diagnostics prior to assembly, digital prototyping
functionality allows for easier control panel upgrades, lowering costs over the
lifecycle of the control cabinet or panel, and can be used to connect
components beyond the control panel. Multiple entrants in Control Engineering's Control Panel Design Contest over the past
two years cite the value of such software tools.
While software cannot do everything, and no software
package provides all of the following functionality, control panel designers
may use software for:
Electrical design;
3-D prototyping for
component selection and layout;
Control panel
compliance regulations, such as UL 508A, the Standard of Safety for Industrial
Control Panels, ANSI/UL 347,
"High Voltage Industrial Control Equipment," and ANSI/UL 508C, "Power Conversion Equipment,"
among other standards.
Control software
design, analysis and testing, and integration with human-machine interface and
networks; and
3-D motion simulations
for motion-related devices connected to the panel.
During control panel design, software can be used to caution
the user about incompatibilities during design development. Product images and
dimensions can be imported from libraries of components, and the software can
suggest placeholders, links and missing components. Bills of material,
incorporating and checking for compatibilities from multiple manufacturers, may
be automatically generated. Built-in guides and wizards can also be used to automate
many design steps, transferring input/output tags from design to runtime
software, saving time and eliminating a source for errors.
Knowledge gained from prior projects, as well as other
areas of an organization can be incorporated into design software, thereby
allowing for on-the-fly collaboration over multiple locations on an ongoing,
as-needed basis.
By experimenting with the photovoltaic reaction in solar cells, researchers at MIT have made a breakthrough in energy efficiency that significantly pushes the boundaries of current commercial cells on the market.
In a world that's going green, industrial operations have a problem: Their processes involve materials that are potentially toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive. If improperly managed, this can precipitate dangerous health and environmental consequences.
With LEDs dropping in price virtually every year, automakers have begun employing them, not only on luxury vehicles, but on entry-level models, as well.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 3
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A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
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