Drilling/NC

10 Drilling/NC .............................................................. 10-2

10.1 Display drilling view................................................................. 10-4
10.2 Update drilling patterns........................................................... 10-4
10.3 Create drilling template ........................................................... 10-4
10.4 Specify blocking surface for drilling ...................................... 10-6
10.5 Export drillings to machine..................................................... 10-7
10.5.1 NC output dialogue ........................................................................... 10-9
10.5.1.1 Machine and material selection.............................................. 10-9
10.5.1.2 Tool selection for drillings....................................................... 10-9
10.5.1.3 Tool selection for thread cutting ........................................... 10-10
10.5.1.4 Tool selection for milling....................................................... 10-10
10.5.1.5 Exporting NC data ................................................................ 10-12
10.5.1.6 Exporting NC drilling data to DXF......................................... 10-13
10.6 NC configuration .................................................................... 10-15
10.6.1 NC configuration: Tool definition ..................................................... 10-17
10.6.2 Drilling exceptions in the NC configuration ..................................... 10-19

EPLAN Cabinet 10-1

Drilling/NC
Display drilling view

10 Drilling/NC

EPLAN Cabinet Drilling/NC allows you to print 1:1-scale drilling patterns for
enclosure parts. These templates can be used for quick and accurate manual
drilling of mounting panels.
EPLAN Cabinet transfers data for machining mounting panels, doors and side
panels directly to drilling and milling machines. The program has built-in interfaces
to most usual NC machines. The result is a set of fully assembly-ready enclosure
parts and major time savings in production.

Method
Drilling patterns are defined in the Central Parts Management (CPM) database and
assigned to parts by name. Each drilling pattern matches one part. The coordinates
always relate to the bottom left corner of the part. Drilling patterns are extracted
from the CPM database and copied to the project database when EPLAN Cabinet
is running.

Supported types of drilled hole

Various types of drilled hole are supported depending on the machine:
Through hole
Threaded
Rectangle (square, chamfered or filleted)
Slot
Hexagon
Octagon
Any contour
The holes can be any size, but limits are set in practice by the available and
selected tools. Information on general machine properties, tool data and materials
is contained in the project database.
The main NC output dialogue has options to specify what the machine should do if
it is unable to perform an operation as instructions.

10-2 EPLAN Cabinet

 Drilling/NC
Display drilling view

EPLAN Cabinet menu bar

The commands are grouped on the menu bar under Drilling/NC.

Drilling/NC toolbar

EPLAN Cabinet 10-3

Drilling/NC
Create drilling template

10.1 Display drilling view

This command changes the view on the project drawing. With drilling view
displayed, all drilling points are visible. Selecting the command a second time hides
them again.
Drilling view has to be displayed in order to create drilling templates.

Drilling/NC | Drilling view ON/Drilling view OFF

Drilling/NC toolbar

10.2 Update drilling patterns

Drilling patterns are loaded from the parts management into the project database.
Cable ducts, mounting rails and other components can have drilled holes. If their
master data are modified in the parts management, the drilling views must be
matched to the new data situation.

Info/Security | Update parts data

The modified data of drilled holes and parts are written into the project database,
modifying the drilling patterns as well.

10.3 Create drilling template

Drilling templates are 1:1-scale 2D drawings that show the coordinates of all drilling
points for ducts, mounting rails and fittable components on a mounting panel. They
can be printed out at a scale of 1:1 for immediate use as templates for drilling work.

Drilling/NC | Create drilling templates

Drilling/NC toolbar

10-4 EPLAN Cabinet

 Drilling/NC
Create drilling template

The command works automatically. For each populated panel in the project, it
generates a 2D drawing with drilling points and their coordinates, and saves it in a
subdirectory of the project directory named after the component (for example
MOUNTING PANEL).
Drilling template for an entire mounting panel

Detail with drilling point coordinates

EPLAN Cabinet 10-5

Drilling/NC
Specify blocking surface for drilling

10.4 Specify blocking surface for drilling

A blocking surface for drilling prevents drilling points being identified in the area
covered. Holes in the area are not included in drilling layouts and NC data and so
are not drilled.

Drilling/NC | Specify blocking surface for drilling

Drilling/NC toolbar

If required, blocking surfaces can be added to the master data for the mounting
panel. You are asked if you want this when you finish specifying a blocking surface.
To create a blocking surface, specify the two corners of a box. You can also specify
the first point and then enter X and Y coordinates for the second point as numbers.
The new blocking surface is shown under the mounting panel in the Navigator. To
delete a blocking surface, right-click it and choose Delete on the context menu.

10-6 EPLAN Cabinet

 Drilling/NC
Export drillings to machine

10.5 Export drillings to machine

This command transfers the coordinates of drillings in the layout as control data to
an NC drilling system.

Drilling/NC | Export drillings to machine

NC toolbar

Choose the machine type you want. The supported formats are:
Perforex drill (*.PPR)
Steinhauer drill (*.CNS)
Standard DXF (*.DXF), machine-independent

General information on exporting to NC data formats

Part numbers for RICAD enclosures
When drilling data for components in a RICAD enclosure are exported to Perforex,
the components (e.g. mounting panels) must have a part number. If there is no
part number, blocking surfaces where no holes are to be drilled will be ignored
when the Perforex data are generated. To add a part number, right-click the
component in the Navigator and choose "Define part" on the context menu.

Changing the field size

When creating drilling template drawings, when exporting drilling data to a
machine or to DXF and when printing a layout parts list, the specified field size
may prove to be larger than the part (door, side panel, etc.) being processed. One
example where this situation arises is when protruding hinges prevent a door from
being inserted to its outer edge into the machine. In such a case, the field size is
extended to the width including hinges. This is taken into account when
determining drilling coordinates for the affected parts.
With the Steinhauer and Kiesling data formats, only the field size is passed on to
the machine. In NC-DXF and drilling template files, the mounting panel is drawn
with solid lines and the mounting field with dashed lines (if the field is different
from the part size). In the layout parts list, only the panel is shown, not the field.

EPLAN Cabinet 10-7

Drilling/NC
Export drillings to machine

Protruding parts on certain types of enclosure

Protruding parts on certain types of enclosure (e.g. AE and CM enclosures) can
prevent the enclosure from being inserted to its outer edge into the machine. On
AE/CM enclosures, the door rebate causes this problem. The data export interface
cannot modify the data to take account of parts of this kind, so allowance must be
made for an offset from the edge of the machine.

Checking the orientation in exported data

After a data export, it is advisable to check the orientation of the parts to be
machined and if necessary rotate the machine fittings accordingly.

10-8 EPLAN Cabinet

 Drilling/NC
Export drillings to machine

10.5.1 NC output dialogue

The NC output dialogue controls NC data output in the Perforex and Steinhauer
data formats. Settings include:
Choice of machine type
Choice of material
Output directory for NC data to the machine
Choice of drill and thread cutter
Instructions for milling openings

10.5.1.1 Machine and material selection

Machine
When select a machine type, the program looks up data for the specified machine
in the project database and uses that data to complete the boxes in the dialogue.

Material
Selecting a material causes a code to be sent to the machine that determines
machining speeds and depths for the workpiece.

10.5.1.2 Tool selection for drillings

If matching tool missing

This setting specifies whether to use the next largest or the next smallest tool if
there is no tool on the machine to drill a hole of the required diameter.

Mill/laser cut holes

If a machine can both drill and mill or drill and laser cut, this setting can be used to
specify the maximum hole size for drilling; larger holes will be milled or laser cut,
using the settings under Milling.

EPLAN Cabinet 10-9

Drilling/NC
Export drillings to machine

10.5.1.3 Tool selection for thread cutting

If matching tool missing

This setting specifies whether to use the next largest or the next smallest tool if
there is no tool on the machine to cut a thread of the required size.

Drill core hole only

If this option is selected, only the core hole is drilled with the selected tool. The
thread is left to be cut manually at a later stage.

10.5.1.4 Tool selection for milling

Use
Diameter of the milling tool to be used (default 6 mm).

Rough borer
Tool diameter for drilling the start of the milling cut.

Height over workpiece

If the workpiece has irregular surface features, there is a risk of damage to the
milling tool when moving from one contour to another. This parameter determines
how high the tool is raised to move between cuts.
Default: 4 mm

Minimum/maximum working depth

A milling tool does not move across the workpiece at constant depth - this would
soon cause it to fail. Instead, it traverses the contour in a wave motion. This
parameter determines the minimum and maximum cutting depths for this motion.
Default: minimum -4 mm, maximum -7 mm

10-10 EPLAN Cabinet

 Drilling/NC
Export drillings to machine

Fin parameters (Perforex machine)

To prevent tool damage due to cutting rectangular areas that are too large, such
areas can be divided into several smaller areas by leaving fins of material between
them. The fins are removed during assembly.
The fin width and the number of fins added for different lengths of cut are specified
in the machine properties. These parameters can be altered in the dialogue.
Fin width
The default is 1 mm.
One fin from
One fin is added for a 80 mm or longer cut.
Two fins from
Two fins are added for a 100 mm or longer cut.
Three fins from
Three fins are added for a 500 mm or longer cut.

Fin post-machining (Perforex machine)

Removing fins by hand (for example with pliers) after machining on a Perforex
leaves rough surfaces that require manual correction (e.g. by filing). Post-
machining automates these corrections.
Note: Fin post-machining is only suitable for rectangular contours; fins in user-
defined contours cannot be automatically post-machined.
If post-machining is selected, two drilling patterns are sent to the machine for each
field containing contours with fins.
The first drilling pattern contains data on machining with fins, with the contour sizes
reduced by the specified post-machining range.
The second drilling pattern specifies a second machining pass for each contour
that has fins. This is the final external contour without fins.
The machine operator is presented with the two drilling patterns in sequence,
showing at a glance that there is a post-machining step for a drilling pattern. This
comes after manual removal of the fins and smoothes off the rough edges.
Post-machining range
Amount by which the fin contour is extended after removing the fins.
Default: 0.5 mm

EPLAN Cabinet 10-11

Drilling/NC
Export drillings to machine

10.5.1.5 Exporting NC data

Once all settings in the NC Output dialogue are correct, click [OK]. The program
the generates and exports the NC data. The number of files created depends on
the type of machine.
The files are created in a subdirectory of the project directory named after the
machine manufacturer. A log file is opened in the editor for checking. The log
shows the path data and the number of holes.

Steinhauer format
For the Steinhauer machine format, one NC data file is generated with a CNC file
name extension. All necessary data are contained in the one file.

Perforex format
For the Perforex machine format, six files are generated in a subdirectory called
"Kiesling". The files contain the material, machine and drilling data separately.

10-12 EPLAN Cabinet

 Drilling/NC
Export drillings to machine

10.5.1.6 Exporting NC drilling data to DXF

A special dialog exists for outputting the DXF format NC data used by many
machines.

Drilling/NC | Hole export to machine | DXF

Drilling/NC Toolbar

General
AutoCAD version: Using the AutoCAD version to select the format to be used for
writing DXF data.
Codepage: Defines the character set to be used. The default is the Windows
character set CP_ANSI_1252.

Panel
Mounting panels are represented as geometric forms in the DXF file and are
assigned specific layers and colors. The default layer name is PANEL.

Item silhouettes
Silhouettes of 3D items show their spatial limits in addition to the basic contours
and extrusion paths. They can be output on separate layers and receive a color
assignment. The default layer name is ITEM.

Holes
Holes are represented as geometric forms in the DXF export and are assigned
specific layers and colors.
Always output as hole
The hole is generated as a DXF circle element with a center. The circle is assigned
a separate layer (default name is HOLE) and a color.
A text with a prefix (e.g. "Drill with ") can be alternatively or additionally defined for
output with the hole, this also receives a separate layer (default HOLE TEXT) and
color.

EPLAN Cabinet 10-13

Drilling/NC
Export drillings to machine

The machine finds the position of the hole via the center of the hole circle in the
DXF file. The information defining the diameter to be drilled at this point is in the
descriptive text placed at the center of the hole circle.
Always output as contour
The hole is generated as a contour description.
From n mm diameter, output as contour
Up to the value specified here, holes are output as holes. The layer names and
colors for circle and text are definable. If the diameter of a hole exceeds this value,
then it is generated as a contour description.

Thread
Threads are generated in largely the same manner as holes. They can be
generated
as circles with assigned layer names and colors
or as text with a prefix (default: M) + diameter in mm
The text has the default layer name THREAD TEXT.

Contours
Contours, e.g. drilling contours, are output on the default layer CONTOUR.

[OK]
The generated DXF files are stored in the NcDxf subdirectory of the project
directory.

10-14 EPLAN Cabinet

 Drilling/NC
NC configuration

10.6 NC configuration

Use this command to configure the NC machine used.

Tools | NC Configuration

NC Configuration

This dialogue opens:

A number of sample NC machines are included in a standard installation. You can

modify this data to suit your needs.

EPLAN Cabinet 10-15

Drilling/NC
NC configuration

You do not have to specify a new machine, but can choose to modify an existing
one instead.

Name, manufacturer and format

First, give the machine a name, e.g. "Steinhauer".
Select the manufacturer from the list, e.g. Steinhauer.
The choice of formats is CNC and DIN for Steinhauer, and DOS and Windows for
Perforex.

Processing modes
According to the machine uses, specify whether if it is a drill, thread tapper and/or
milling cutter.

Transfer directory
Select a directory where the export data will be saved in addition to the project
directory. The machine shop workstation must have access to this directory.

Material ID
You can specify up to three different material IDs. These are selected when
exporting and transferred to the machine. These settings must be checked against
those on the machine.

10-16 EPLAN Cabinet

 Drilling/NC
NC configuration

10.6.1 NC configuration: Tool definition

You also need to specify the tools. Your machine determines what tools are
available. Tools can be created, edited and deleted.

The following information is needed for each tool:

Tool number, tool type and diameter

The tool number, type and diameter must exactly match the tools on your machine.

Heights
A height of 0 here always means the top edge of the workpiece.
Height over material
Height at which the cutter travels above the workpiece: the height to which the
cutter tip is raised when the tool is not cutting (e.g. for a fin).
Working level 1/working level 2
Cutter penetration depth (beneath the top edge of the workpiece). The cutter varies
between the two values so that it wears more evenly.
The machine manufacturer recommends the values -4 and -7.

EPLAN Cabinet 10-17

Drilling/NC
NC configuration

Example: Machine with configuration complete

10-18 EPLAN Cabinet

 Drilling/NC
NC configuration

10.6.2 Drilling exceptions in the NC configuration

In mechanical assembly, the machine being used is decisive in whether the desired
hole types are possible or not. A laser, for example, can create exact hexagonal
holes, but a mill cannot. This does not have to be specified In the parts data,
because it has not yet been specified which machine will be used.
Specific drilling exceptions can be defined for each machine, DXF output and drill
template. This allows you to replace hole types that cannot be created on a
particular machine with hole types that the machine can handle. When executing a
drilling export, alternatives can be exported instead of the original. Alternative work
arounds due to missing tools are selected for real machining processes after the
exceptions (if the die is missing, only drill the core hole, etc.).

Extras | NC configuration | [Drilling exceptions] button

[New drilling exception]

To define a new drilling exception, use a dialog to define which original hole is to be
replaced by which replacement hole. The following values can be selected for the
different hole types:

Type Subtype Diameter Height Width Length Edge Chamfer

length clearance
/ Radius
Hole x
Thread x
Rectangle x x x x
Slotted hole x x x
Hexagon x
Octagon x
Contour x

EPLAN Cabinet 10-19

Drilling/NC
NC configuration

Example:
Select a rounded rectangle at the left of the dialog as the original hole to be
replaced and set the size values.
The rectangle is to be replaced with the slotted hole with the required sizes
selected at the right of the dialog.

Click [OK] to enter the defined drilling exceptions into the "Drilling exceptions"
dialog.

Clicking [OK] in the "Drilling exceptions" dialog saves the definitions for this
machine and closes the dialog.

[Edit drilling exceptions]

Calls up the definition dialog for the drilling exceptions selected in the dialog. You
can change all set values here.

[Delete drilling exceptions]

The drilling exceptions selected in the dialog are removed from the list and, after
clicking [OK] and exiting the configuration dialog, they are deleted from the export
definition for the machine.

10-20 EPLAN Cabinet