New methods for switchgear cabinet contruction
bulletin – The Siempelkamp Magazine
In switchgear cabinet construction the entire system is more than the sum of the individual component parts. It is not important whether switchgears with bus systems, combinations of different switchgears or ready-assembled mounting plates are used. Instead it is important to interlock design and production in order to control the process from the inquiry to the finished and approved switchgear cabinet. How can this interconnectedness be implemented so that switchgear cabinets can be produced economically and technically sound? ATR Industrie-Elektronik GmbH and Siempelkamp Maschinen- und Anlagenbau have developed a sophisticated process chain.
To what extent are Siempelkamp and ATR Industrie-Elektronik GmbH connected with one another? ATR produces all switchgear cabinets for Siempelkamp Maschinen- und Anlagenbau and is therefore involved in all plant projects. The interface partner within the Siempelkamp business unit Machine and Plant Engineering is the division for Automation Technology. This di vision creates the electrical documentation that is exactly tailored to the production processes of ATR.
Both companies organize the process chain from the electrical design to the finished and tested switchgear cabinets as if all processes were handled in one and the same company. The benefit for the plant operator: The know-how of the different companies complement one another optimally because these are two specialized partners, one from the area of switchgear cabinet construction and the other from the area of machine and plant engineering, that are working together on one solution. All processes and the interface management are designed in such way that the equipment arrives as one at the customer site.
“With this strategy we have the objective to differentiate ourselves from the large competition in switchgear cabinet construction. The advantage for the customer: We meet the customer demand by producing switchgear cabinets that are technically sound and inexpensive at the same time because the close integration of design and production is an enormous benefit,” explains Timo Amels, Managing Director ATR Industrie-Elektronik GmbH.
Werner Schischkowski, Manager of Siempelkamp’s division for Automation Technology, adds: “Unique selling points in switchgear cabinet construction require vision. Everything that can be manufactured can be used in some way. The search for considerations and alternatives to the conventional switchgear cabinet construction will find its limits when one starts thinking about an optimal mechanical, electrical, and thermal design which will cover most of the common applications in machine and plant engineering. A head start against the competition can be most effectively achieved with an optimally controlled process chain. This is exactly the point where we start. We use the opportunities offered by our company structure and network!”
What is the process chain procedure like in practice? From the beginning on Siempelkamp and ATR rely on foresighted thinking. A significant part of standard switchgear assemblies is produced for stock and is thus available for pre-wiring on time. This ensures optimal lapses of time.