Industrial Design
2D Control panel design using EPLAN-LESM
- IARM Systems
- November 2025
- 5 min. read
When reviewing an assembly line, workstation, or any type of industrial machine, there’s one element that plays a key role in its operation — the control cabinet.
We’ve seen them in all shapes and sizes: from compact enclosures housing a single power supply and a few relays, to large cabinets filled with a complex network of electrical components. The design of the control panel is essential because it provides a clear visual plan for organizing all elements efficiently.
While it might seem easy to draft a layout with pencil and paper, modern digital tools offer far more precision, flexibility, and speed. In this article, we’ll outline the steps to begin designing a 2D control panel and adapting it to your project’s requirements using EPLAN-LESM.
Step 1: Finding technical drawings
To begin, you’ll need the technical drawings (in .dxf or .dwg format) for each component you’ll include in your design.
These files are typically available for download from the manufacturer’s website or directly through the EPLAN Data Portal.
For this example, we’ll use components from Schneider Electric, though the process is similar for other brands like Pilz or IFM.
Make sure you already have an EPLAN project open to work with.
Start by identifying the part numbers of your cabinet and mounting plate. For example, we’ll use a 600×600×300 mm cabinet (Part No. NSYCRN66300), which lists mounting plate NSYMM66 as an accessory.
Once identified, go to the manufacturer’s Downloads section and retrieve the corresponding technical drawings — typically available in DXF/DWG formats.
Step 2: Adding a page in EPLAN and importing drawings
In your EPLAN project, create a new page. Set the page type to “Graphical”, which generates a blank sheet ready for 2D layout design.
Then go to:
Insert → Graphic → DXF/DWG
A file browser window will open. Locate and select the downloaded technical drawing (either DXF or DWG).
Check the box for “Preview” before importing to confirm you’ve selected the correct file.
After importing, two configuration windows will appear:
Standard Scheme: Leave the default option and click OK.
Scale Settings: Here you can adjust dimensions to ensure they match real-world values.
Ideally, you’ll work at a 1:1 scale, but if discrepancies appear, you can manually input a known real dimension, and EPLAN will automatically adjust the drawing proportionally. Always cross-check these values against the manufacturer’s specifications.
Step 3: Adjusting the page scale and frouping the drawing
You may find that your imported drawing is too large or appears outside the page area.
To fix this, adjust the scale of your working sheet:
Right-click the page tab.
Select Properties → Scale, and modify the values to fit your mounting plate within the workspace.
Non-integer scales (like 1:2.5 or 1:3.15) are completely valid — EPLAN automatically normalizes these ratios for display.
At this stage, your mounting plate is visible, but the imported DXF/DWG is made up of individual lines and elements, which can be accidentally moved.
To prevent this:
Select the entire drawing (make sure no element is left out).
Go to Edit → Other → Group.
This simple step locks the drawing together as a single object, making it easier to work with and protecting it from accidental modification.
Step 4: Building the control panel and repeating the process
Now that your base plate is set up, you can begin constructing your control panel.
Before adding cable ducts or components, it’s helpful to insert dimension lines to verify your workspace measurements.
To add a dimension:
Right-click anywhere on the sheet and select Insert Dimension → Simple Dimension.
This tool works like a digital measuring tape, allowing you to check and confirm scale accuracy.
Next, you can represent cable ducts (trunking) using basic EPLAN shapes:
Draw a rectangle and set its width according to your actual duct (e.g., 40 mm or 80 mm).
Repeat as needed until your mounting plate layout is complete.
To add components such as power supplies, switches, or terminal blocks, simply repeat Steps 1, 2, and 3 for each part — grouping their drawings into single objects for easy placement.
Continue until your panel layout includes all required components.
Final notes
These are the essential steps to start a 2D control panel design in EPLAN.
While every cabinet is unique depending on its specifications, this procedure remains consistent.
Designing with EPLAN provides a clearer overview of the cabinet’s physical construction, enables efficient space management, and simplifies material organization.
In short, it transforms what could be a manual, time-consuming process into a precise and professional digital workflow—ensuring your control cabinet is designed to meet both functional and industrial standards.
