ePocket: A new home for the digital twin

Through the development of the Rittal ePocket, the new digital wiring plan pocket, the sister companies Rittal and Eplan, are prioritizing digital data to the enclosure. This means that widely used paper documentation has become a thing of the past. If all project data, such as wiring and maintenance plans, certificates, etc. of a machine or plant, is available digitally, any changes can be directly fed back into the project and possible downtimes can be reduced to a minimum.

Project access via the Eplan Cloud

So that this workflow functions, all the enclosures in Rittal’s wide range will have its own place in the Eplan Cloud. The owner can access the equipment and system documentation, including a digital twin, in the Eplan Cloud via a QR code on the enclosure. The benefits increase if the owner shares insight into the latest documentation with other users. For employees in service and maintenance, for instance, this means that they can easily access the circuit diagrams directly on the system with a smartphone or tablet using the integrated Eplan eView function. This ensures quick troubleshooting in the event of repairs and maintenance.

Companies benefit in three ways due to this digital process from schematic creation of circuit diagrams to maintenance:

• Time Savings: Incidents are eliminated faster, and repeatedly printing out up to 500 or more pages of documentation is no longer necessary, which represents a clear time advantage.
• Eco-friendly: The environment also benefits from not using paper, thanks to the reduced carbon emissions.
• Safety: There is less risk of fire if paper is not stored inside the enclosure.

Digital twin in operation

The digital twin accompanies the real enclosure throughout its entire life cycle. With the digital wiring plan pocket, the equipment and system documentation are always up to date; it is accessible from any device, wherever it is located while operating. "We are intensifying our portfolio for 'Operations' as the opportunities for our customers and the industry are clear," explains Uwe Scharf, Managing Director Business Units and Marketing at Rittal. "Tracking features and information contained in the data are continuously increasing. As a result, operators, planners, control and switchgear manufacturers and maintenance professionals remain in permanent contact with each other and with the business, during operation of the plants as well."