Rittal – adding greater value for integrated industry and IT

Rittal – The System was a major step forward in terms of modular, one-stop solutions.
Photo by Rittal GmbH & Co. KG

In line with this year’s theme at Hannover Messe, Integrated Industry, Rittal showcased new solutions for integrated value chains.

With more than 2,000 square metres, the stand was one of the largest at the show. In conjunction with affiliated software specialist Eplan and Kiesling, a manufacturer of enclosure machining technology, Rittal spotlighted the future of enclosure manufacturing. Highlights included a live demonstration of an integrated process chain – from engineering to automated installation and wiring by means of robots. Rittal is also setting the pace in IT with RiMatrix S: the world’s first completely standardised solution for entire data centres.

“Mastering value chains from engineering to manufacturing, leveraging smart solutions for the increasing convergence of industry and IT, making maximum use of standardisation and energy-efficient production are among the key challenges posed by the fourth industrial revolution,” says Uwe Scharf, Head of Product Management at Rittal. “Our product portfolio, Rittal – The System, offers modular, one-stop solutions, showing that we’ve long been on the right track. And we’ve continued to improve and standardise our solutions, and enter into strategic partnerships, helping our customers add ever greater value.”

From engineering to automated wiring
At Hannover Messe 2013, Rittal provided an example of an end-to-end value chain, exhibiting a process for manufacturing control systems and switchgear. Eplan’s integrated software tools (EEC Eplan Engineering Center, Eplan Pro Panel, Eplan Data Portal) and Rittal (RiCAD 3D, RiTherm and Power Engineering), which extend from engineering to production to machining and equipping an enclosure, can significantly boost efficiency. A robot manufactured by Kiesling aptly demonstrated the full potential of these solutions. Using data from Eplan, such as wiring diagrams, terminal lists and device lists, the robot can not only plan the routing, but also automatically wire the enclosure.

A paradigm shift in IT
Rittal – The System was a major step forward in terms of modular, one-stop solutions. Rittal has now unveiled its latest breakthrough in the IT space, RiMatrix S. After developing standardised racks, the company has now applied its successful formula to entire data centres. RiMatrix S is the world’s first completely standardised data centre solution. This saves time-consuming design and development thanks to pre-planned, pre-configured, and perfectly aligned data centre modules with a clearly defined PUE. In future, customers will no longer need to factor in long planning and lead times: RiMatrix S, comprising a complete data centre including server and network racks, air conditioning, uninterruptible power supply and monitoring systems, is available within just six weeks of placing an order.

Another first: TÜV-certified cooling units
Rittal also boasts innovations in terms of enclosures. In real-world settings, many cooling units on the market prove to be less powerful and less efficient than advertised. Rittal is the world’s first manufacturer to put its entire range of cooling units to the test by an independent certifier. All TopTherm cooling units are now entitled to bear the TÜV Nord logo as confirmation of this seal of approval. This gives Rittal customers peace of mind, guaranteeing that their units will offer the rated cooling capacity and maximum efficiency. Further highlights at Rittal’s stand include the second generation of the TopTherm Chiller in output categories from 8 to 40 kW, new housings for equipment controls, and the revised TS 8 enclosure system, offering more convenient assembly.

Ri4Power partner stand
Given the sophistication of modern electrical engineering, few companies are capable of meeting all customers’ needs single-handedly. That makes effective partnerships all the more important. Rittal’s partner programme for its Ri4Power enclosure platform is a prime example. Following the resounding success in 2012, this year’s Ri4Power partner stand again featured leading players such as ABB, Siemens, Terasaki and GE.

For more information, please visit: www.rittal.com

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