ECAD Interfaces

In this section you will find the detailed descriptions of our fully integrated ECAD interfaces. You will get a list with all possible enclosures which can be filtered by the parameters shown in the dialog.

ECAD Interfaces

Seamless data consistency

The ECAD integration Plug-in’s are developed with the target to accelerate your engineering process during the planning with EPLAN P8 or Zuken E3. This is achieved by exchanging project data of all used terminals with its assigned accessories between the systems. The following figure displays the functional data exchange process with its “Import” and “Export” channels.

Import

  • Importing terminal strips from ECAD to the configurator.

  • The integrated import-assistant is managing the mapping for terminal strips1 from ECAD to physical rails.
  • Transfer the terminal marking designation from ECAD to the WMC on an appropriate suggested marker article.
  • Generic planning2 allows you to start engineering in an ECAD tool with just the logical function (symbol) and afterwards the configurator suggests an appropriate article for this functionID.

Export

  • Supplementation of accessories by using the auto solve function and exporting back to ECAD
  • Adding several terminals in the configurator including its required accessories, afterwards supplementing the device manager in ECAD with these articles

For user doing the panel planning within the ECAD (i.e. E3 Panel, EPLAN Pro Panel) the import and export supports the transfer of placement information.

Offer Request

After the import from ECAD you have the opportunity to add accessories, new components or furthermore placing an existing configuration into an appropriate enclosure by using the new enclosure assistant. At this point of your configuration you can use our service and send your request directly from the Weidmüller Configurator.

Set article reference

The WMC needs a clear mapping to support the export/import function to ECAD back during a roundtrip.

For EPLAN the part number is a primary key to handle articles. Every incoming article is mapped to this key. As an example using SAP numbers like shown under Customer Article number, map those articles to the Weidmüller standard 10 figure order number. This mapping, like CustomData.csv as shown below, is used by the configurator to handle these different custom article numbers. You can find this file under the following directory: %appdata%Weidmüller\WMC\CustomData.csv.

WMC offers a function to create a mapping list with a certain prefix like Wei.1020000000, 1020000000.WE with all containing articles in the Configurator. To reach this function go on File->Settings and click on the marked button. Afterwards a window is popping up, where you can define the article mapping. Examples: XY.{0}, {0}.XY, xxx{0}.lll. Confirm with OK and choose a storage place. Then add this link to "Custom data" path space.

ECAD Panel (3D)

Introduction

With the latest release version V9 the existing ECAD interfaces have been extended with a 3D Panel function for the vendors E3 und EPLAN.

The new Plugin contains now a 2D Schematics and 3D Panel Importing and Exporting function. This capture will describe how the 3D Panel interface (EPLAN, E3) works and which limitations are applied to the interface.

As a general statement, the interface just considers rails and its rail mounted components (direct children of the rail). Accessories like markers, plugs and bridges won`t be placed on the 3D mounting layout and are just appended to the main parts as a list.

Concept of Interfaces:

Limitation of the interface

In the picture above a detailed view of the interface shows, how the systems collaborate.

The ECAD system is every time the master, whereas the WMC ECAD interface has the limitation of the following changes by the WMC:

  • Any technical attributes of the mounting rail like width, height and length cannot be changed.
  • Already existing rail mounted components (initial children of the rail) like terminals and power supplies, which were placed in the ECAD system, are not removable. Furthermore, the terminal name in the “BMK” of the part cannot be changed.
  • The position or alignment (rotation) of initial child’s can be changed and it is possible to add new terminals to the rail.
  • In general, the electrical function cannot be changed by the WMC.

EPLAN electric P8

The Weidmüller Configurator (WMC) has an integrated interface with the engineering software EPLAN Electrical P8 (from version 2.5). To use this interface with WMC it is necessary to install this plugin (Add On).

In this documentation we will go through the installation step by step and give you an overview about the entire functionality of this plugin.

It is a prerequisite to have WMC and EPLAN Electrical P8 installed on your system.

Please update your article data in EPLAN especially the terminals, because of some major fixes of tiers/level attributes. Every standard terminal (with one level) shall contain the figure "0". This is important for the interface to ensure correct working.

In case of having already installed a previous version of the interface, please uninstall this version before installing the new one. You can find the installed plugin under system control->program and features-> EPLAN Weidmüller Configurator AddOn as blue marked one the right.

Installation

Go to the file menu of WMC and choose „Interfaces". Here you can find an entry for EPLAN. Run the plugin setup and follow the installation wizard.

After the installation of the plugin is done, you have an entry for the Weidmüller interface in EPLAN P8 on the main menu point “Weidmüller” and a special symbol bar in your EPLAN now. As shown below:

Configuration

Start EPLAN P8 and Click on the "gear" symbol as shown in the picture.

Then check the Configurator program-path, usually there is already such a path link assigned.

In case the path is empty navigate by this [...] to

%appdata%Weidmueller\WMC\Interfaces\WMC.DataExchange.P8Interface. This referenced file is required to call the Configurator from EPLAN directly.

Define Data Exchange storage of Exported Project files (optional)

Switch the radio button to user directory and navigate by the button [...] to an appropriated storage location for your Project. It is up to you to declare such a directory to have a specified transaction folder, otherwise the EPLAN-Project location will be taken automatically.

General information

The Interface can be used in 2 different Use cases.
1. EPLAN->WMC: Start engineering in EPLAN P8 then transfer the Data to the Weidmüller configurator.

2. Roundtrip between EPLAN and WMC: Start engineering in EPLAN P8 then transfer some Data to the Configurator. The configurator supplements articles like terminals with its appropriate accessories by the verify/auto solve function. These additional articles can be transferred back to EPLAN.

Please note that the descripted Roundtrip is just valid for the first time of exporting data to EPLAN. For every further export please import again your entire project to the WMC.

Article scope

With reference to the transferred items between EPLAN and the WMC the Interface is mainly handling terminals including its accessories like markers, cross connectors, end plates and end brackets. In conclusion every terminal related article will be transferred.

Import

At the beginning we are going to import an EPLAN project to the configurator. The Project is already open in EPLAN P8. You have either to click on the Export Button or you can navigate via the menu option as shown on the left.

Afterwards there will pop-up a window:

The dialog offers 3 options to process the EPLAN Export:

1. Just "Export" the file to a certain configured directory defined under "Settings" (" Define Data Exchange storage of Exported Project files (optional)").

2. Declare a storage location, afterwards the configurator is going to start and importing the stored file.

3. Auto transfer: The file will be stored on the under "Settings" defined location, afterwards the configurator is automatically importing the file from EPLAN.

Hint:

During the use of option 1. there is every time a manual importing required via File->Interface->EPLAN.

Import assistant on WMC side

The WMC is handling Imports from EPLAN via a certain Import assistant. This allows the user to create a mapping from terminal strips (EPLAN) to physical rails in the configurator or to a new added rail.

Every terminal strip definition in EPLAN got its own physical rail. If you dislike the suggested assignment, it is very easy to change the rail assignment by pulling the rails via drag and drop.

Furthermore, it is possible to add a specific rail via clicking on the red marked button above.

After finishing the rail assignment, click on the button "next" in the right corner at the bottom. There will be an info message window which requires a confirmation.

Finally, the import is successful:

As you can see the EPLAN project name will be used in the configurator on the top of the window and the terminal designation is transferred from EPLAN. By the way there is no need to define the marker type in EPLAN, the configurator is placing these markers to their default positions.

Working in the WMC after EPLAN Import

Now you can see your imported rails in the WMC. You have the opportunity to:

  • Add some new terminal blocks and transfer it back to EPLAN
  • Change placing of existing parts
  • Add accessories like markers or endplates and end brackets to the terminals
  • Use the auto verification function to complement needed accessories
After modifying the configuration in the WMC, the rail looks like this:

Generic planning

Generic planning means to engineer in a ECAD software symbols/electrical functions without concerning about any articles. In EPLAN each symbol provides a function ID. With this function ID WMC can suggest appropriate components (terminals).

As an example, the terminal strip X13 is not containing a certain article at each terminal.

Here is the EPLAN terminal property for -X13:1. The terminal is just containing a function definition:

The parts list does not contain any article.

The WMC suggests articles

The configurator offers an opportunity to define which terminal series (i.e. A-Series) and connection technology (i.e. Push-In, screwed) shall preferred during the generic planning. By the way this option has also an effect on the suggested articles of the auto-solve verify function.

The function is reachable under File->Settings:

Activate "Favoured product features" and add a preferred product family and connection technology via the button "+ Add product features".

As an example: Import of the project with the terminal strip -X13:

It is still possible to change this certain mapping by clicking on the blue marked article number.

Important is that you never use during this generic planning the general IDs. Mostly the second option in the list "function definitions" is wrong, for example: "Terminal, general, with saddle jumper, 2 connection points". Instead you should choose "Terminal with saddle jumper, 2 connection points".

Export

One of the main benefits of our WMC is the product related accessory knowledge. It gives you the possibility to add required and necessary parts to an existing rail-configuration. Here is a simple example: In the beginning you have imported the EPLAN P8 project to the configurator, now you are going to add terminals to a certain terminal strip, here the red terminals and end brackets to each end of the rail.

By the way, the easiest way to place the appropriate end bracket is to use the verify function of the configurator.

To reach the export go to the File->Interfaces->EPLAN P8 and click on export, then choose an appropriate storage directory and save this file.

The next step is to import in EPLAN the exported file from the Configurator. Click on the marked button below.

A new window is popping up.

You navigate to the exported file and click "OK" to confirm. After the import you can see in the device- or terminal navigator the new added components.

End-brackets are added to terminal strip definition:

Therefore, you have just to place the terminals in the schematics. Added accessories like markers and end-plates which belongs to a certain terminal are listed on the terminal part list.

EPLAN Pro Panel

The toolbar looks equivalent to the already existing plugin:

EPLAN:

After activation of the export icon:

The new Plugin now contains a 2D Schematics and 3D Panel Importing and Exporting function. This capture will describe, how the 3D EPLAN ProPanel interface works and which limitations are applied to the interface.

As a general statement, the interface just considers rails and its rail mounted components (direct children of the rail). Accessories like markers, plugs and bridges won`t be placed on the 3D mounting layout and are just appended to the main parts as a list.

Zuken E3.series

Installation

Go to the file menu of WMC and choose „Interfaces". Here you can find an entry for E3.series. Click on the Plugin Setup, afterwards a window is popping up. Then select register plugin as shown in the pictures.

In case of having already installed the plug-In, there is no need for an update.

General information

The Interface can be used in 3 different Use cases.

  • 1. E3.series->WMC: Start engineering in E3 then transfer the Data to WMC.
  • 2. Roundtrip between E3.series and WMC: Start engineering in E3 then transfer some data to the configurator. The configurator supplements articles like terminals with its appropriate accessories by the verify/auto solve function. These additional articles can be transferred back to E3.
  • 3. WMC->E3.series: Start designing components in the configurator and export these components to E3.

Article scope

The behavior of the transferred articles is different and depends on the used E3 module.

E3.schematics = terminals including its accessories

E3.panel = Weidmüller devices in general

E3.schematics

With reference to the transferred items between E3.schematics and the Configurator the Interface is mainly handling terminals including its accessories like markers, cross connectors, end plates and end brackets.

Placement of bridges and accessories

The WMC can place bridges/jumpers in order to connect terminals. Here are 2 different ways to properly define these bridges in E3.

Generic bridges

Draw a connection between terminals and use the wire "AutoUsedJumperTyp" from the default E3 components library. As you can see in the picture the connection between the terminal -X2:1 and -X2:2.

Bridges as additional parts

In case of you would like to place a certain bridge/jumper article, you have to assign the bridge part number (which you would like to connect) on the first connected terminal from left. After right-clicking on the terminal open the "Device Properties", then click on the marked row and choose the option "Additional Part".

In this new row you can type the bridge/ jumper article number of the desired bridge. As an example: On X2:1 is assigned a bridge/jumper part number:

After an import to the configurator you can see the bridge part number, which is connected to the terminals X2:1, 2 and 3

Accessories

The required accessories, which belongs to a certain terminal like an end plate, can be assigned if desired in the same way as explained before under method 2. bridge/jumper placement via the attribute additional part.

Import

At the beginning you are going to import an E3.schematics project to the configurator. The project is already open in E3.schematics. Click on the export button and the import of the Configurator is automatically in progress.

Import Assistant

The WMC is handling Imports from E3.schematics via a certain Import assistant. This allows the user to create a mapping from terminal strips (E3.schematics) to physical rails in the Configurator or to a new added rail.

Every terminal strip definition in E3.schematics got its own physical rail. If you dislike the suggested assignment, it is very easy to change the rail assignment by pulling the rails via drag and drop.

Furthermore, it is possible to add a specific rail via clicking on the yellow marked button above.

After finishing the rail assignment, you shall click on the button "next" on the right hand side corner at the bottom of the window. To start the import confirm with "ok".

Finally, the import is successful:

As you can see the E3 project name will be used in the configurator on the top of the window and the terminal designation is transferred from E3. By the way there is no need to define the marker type in E3, the configurator is auto-suggesting these markers to their default points.

The WMC suggests articles

The configurator offers an opportunity to define the preferred terminal series (i.e. A-Series) and connection technology (i.e. Push-In, screwed). This option has an effect on the suggested articles of the auto-solve verify function.

The function is reachable under File->Settings:

Activate "Favoured product features" and add a preferred product family and connection technology via the button "+ Add product features"

Export

One of the main benefits of our WMC is the product related accessory knowledge. It gives you the possibility to add required and necessary parts to an existing rail-configuration. Here is a simple example: In the beginning we have imported E3.series project to the Configurator, now you are going to add terminals to a certain terminal strip, here the red terminals and end brackets to each end of the rail.

By the way, the easiest way to place the appropriate end bracket is to use the verify function of the Configurator. See on the right:

To reach the export go to the File->Interfaces->E3.series and click on export.

A new window in E3 is popping up:

This is the integrated E3.series import assistant for the interface. Here you have the opportunity to select which terminal strips shall be imported to E3. In order to select several items, click on a certain strip (blue marked) and on the single arrow. If you want to update all strips, you just have to click on this double arrow and all items are going to be placed on the right side. By the way the imported assistant provides information about changes by the Configurator. As you can see X2_MR was edited by the Configurator.

Finally, confirm the dialog with the "OK" button and the import is in progress.

In this example two end brackets were added and you can see these articles under the terminal strip definition properties (blue marked below). Added accessories like markers and end-plates which belong to a certain terminal are listed on the terminal part list.

E3.panel

In case of using E3.panel the article scope is tremendously enlarged. The import to the WMC will strictly depend on the placed devices in the E3.panel diagram. You can say E3.panel has the priority of transferred devices.

Weidmüller devices in general (terminals, power supplies, IO remote…) are going to be transferred to the Configurator in case of using E3.panel.

Im- and Export

You can use the import and export functions in the same way as explained for E3.schematics.

Sample project panel diagram:

Export of rotated terminals

In E3.panel you have the opportunity to rotate terminals via "left click+r" as shown:

The in E3.panel defined rail length and the space between the terminals blocks, will also be maintained by the Configurator as you can see in the picture above.

The Configurator will import these terminals in the rotated position as well.

Import in WMC

The import assistant from the Configurator is working roughly in the same way as in E3.schematics, with just two exceptions:

1. Weidmüller devices in general are supported (U-remote, power supplies, …).

2. Transferred items are the in E3.panel diagram placed components on the rails including the used physical rails itself.

Export back to E3

The exporting is working in a different way compared to E3.schematics. As an example you will supplement the configuration with markers end brackets and end plates.

Now you are going to export the project from WMC (same way as schematics). You are selecting just the item with changes and confirm with "OK".

Afterwards E3.panel has removed the placed articles on the selected rail U1.

You have to place the components again on U1, including the new imported parts by WMC.

The supplemented rail is shown above with the added end-brackets and end plates.

Finally, the E3.panel diagram is successfully supplemented by the new added articles from the Configurator.