The Rise of Augmented Reality in Control Panel Design and Visualization

The electrical engineering and design industry is witnessing a transformative shift from the integration of augmented reality (AR) into design flows. This technology is revolutionizing the way engineers visualize and design complex systems, providing a new way to interact with the virtual world.

Notably, this shift is transforming the field of control panel design and visualization. In this post, we’ll discuss the rise of AR, its impact on control panel design and visualization, and how Zuken’s tools are supporting the design of next-generation control panels.

Augmented Reality: A New Dimension in Control Panel Design

Augmented reality is a technology that overlays digital information in the real world. This technology offers a new way to interact with the virtual world and transforms control panel design. By overlaying digital information in the real world, AR allows designers to visualize control panels in their actual environment, making real-time adjustments and optimizations possible. This real-world simulation helps identify potential flaws early in the design process, reducing errors and saving time and resources.

The integration of AR into control panel design greatly enhances collaboration. Designers can work on identical virtual models from different locations, instantly sharing insights and feedback. This collaborative approach fosters creativity and innovation, leading to more efficient and effective design solutions.

Furthermore, AR enables designers to walk through virtual control panels and interact with components as if they were physically present. This immersive experience allows for increased precision and thoughtful design, providing designers with a deep understanding of how control panels function in their intended environment.

Pioneering Control Panel Design with Zuken’s E3.panel

Zuken offers its E3.series software suite that supports the development of modern control panels. Part of the suite is E3.panel–a cutting-edge tool designed to revolutionize modern electrical control panel design and documentation.

E3.panel supports the entire design process, from definition and design through manufacturing and maintenance. Its unique object-oriented architecture ensures synchronization across all design stages, while built-in design rule checks prevent errors from entering the manufacturing phase.

E3.panel operates in both two and three dimensions and is fully integrated with E3.schematic and E3.cable. This integration ensures that changes made in the panel or schematic are immediately reflected across both features, allowing seamless navigation. The tool’s simple slot and mount functionality eliminates the need for complex 3D MCAD systems, ensuring accessibility for electrical engineers.

A significant feature of E3.panel is the E3.panel+ add-on, which enables automatic wire routing within the panel enclosure. Utilizing a shortest route algorithm, it routes wires through cable ducts, maintaining standard segregation where EMC and noise should be avoided. This automation, along with functionalities like clash detection, hazard avoidance, and 3D placement in free space, makes E3.panel a robust solution for control panel design.

Zuken’s E3.panel continues to set new standards for control panel design technology by streamlining the design process and enhancing accuracy. Additionally, Zuken’s amazing capability of creating a digital replica of a product opens up endless possibilities for data utilization.

Partnering for the Future

Zuken is one of the many partners participating in an initiative to enhance the control panel design and manufacturing process. The Smart Cabinet Building initiative intends to leverage the digital replica of the design to offer automation and support throughout the product’s entire life cycle. This movement involves introducing innovative features from the design stage to production, testing, and service.

In 2017, Zuken teamed up with Weidmüller to showcase a mixed reality-developed solution using Microsoft’s HoloLens. At various fairs and shows, the pair brought to life two use cases for leveraging mixed reality in the control panel production and service fields. Each use case provides verbal instructions and a blend of physical and digital visuals as easy-to-follow guides.

• Scenario 1 – Service Case: A service technician uses mixed reality to troubleshoot and rectify a failure by replacing a faulty component.
• Scenario 2 – Assembly: The mixed reality solution provides a technician with step-by-step instructions to assemble a control panel.

However, AR is not the only solution for the future of control panel assembly. Zuken also partners with Armbruster Engineering to create digital work instructions mixed with a laser projection assistant. Using the E3.panel project data, Armbruster Engineering’s ELAM system assists technicians with multiple production process steps. These steps include component selection, component assembly, and the complete assembly of the electrical cabinet. The complete assembly utilizes a projection environment to assist technicians with pick-and-place operations, providing simple work instructions.

Conclusion

With augmented reality gaining widespread appeal, control panel design and visualization are set to make significant gains. Augmented reality will be a game-changer, bringing with it the potential to ensure greater transparency in the design process and facilitate greater design collaboration. Through our cutting-edge E3.panel tools, our involvement in initiatives like the Smart Cabinet Building, and partnerships with industry leaders like Armbruster Engineering and Weidmüller, Zuken is leading the way in control panel design and visualization.