At ESCO Automation, innovation isn’t just about new technology, it’s about building smarter, more connected workflows that deliver better results for our customers. A key focus area for our electrical design team has been modernizing how control panels are designed, built, and delivered.
We are in the process of transitioning from traditional AutoCAD Electrical workflows to EPLAN P8 and Pro Panel, enabling a more data-driven and integrated design environment. This shift allows our engineers to move beyond isolated 2D drawings and toward a single source of truth for schematics, device data, and panel layouts.
By leveraging EPLAN’s standardized component libraries and automated design capabilities, our team is improving consistency across projects, reducing manual effort, and minimizing the risk of errors. Design data flows seamlessly from schematics into panel layouts, eliminating rework and improving overall efficiency.
From a technical standpoint, this transition enables advanced engineering capabilities such as macro reuse, intelligent device tagging, and automated wire routing. Standardized schematic macros allow proven designs to be reused across projects, accelerating development while maintaining consistency. Intelligent device tagging ensures accurate cross-referencing between schematics, BOMs, and panel layouts, reducing coordination errors. Automated wire routing within Pro Panel further enhances design quality by calculating realistic wire paths and lengths directly from the 3D model, improving accuracy for both engineering and manufacturing.
A major advantage of this transition is the integration of our panel shop directly into the engineering process. Using EPLAN Smart Production, manufacturing teams receive accurate, production-ready data such as wiring information, terminal plans, and labeling earlier and with greater confidence. This tighter connection between engineering and fabrication helps reduce build time, improve quality, and support predictable project execution.
With EPLAN Pro Panel, we are also developing full 3D models of our control panels, allowing engineers to validate layouts, manage wire routing, and identify potential issues before hardware is built. These 3D models enhance internal coordination and provide clearer communication with customers and stakeholders.
This transition represents a significant step forward in how we design and build control systems. By connecting engineering, manufacturing, and visualization into a unified digital workflow, ESCO Automation is positioning itself to deliver higher-quality solutions faster, more efficiently, and with greater confidence.
Written by: Cole Banes, Electrical Design Manager, ESCO Automation