BMK Tool: Automated Conversion of Designation Data into Excel

Electrical Design. Automation and Planning Department

BMK Tool: Automated Conversion of Designation Data into Excel

Automated conversion of BMK data from various sources into Excel formats for seamless processing in control systems and E-CAD.

Projekt
BMK Tool: Automated Conversion of Designation Data into Excel

Kategorie
Electrical Design. Automation and Planning Department

Aufgaben im Projekt

Data Analysis
Automation
Excel Export

Technologien
Python, Pandas, OpenPyXL, Excel

The Project

Before

BMK data had to be manually extracted from various sources, painstakingly validated, and entered into Excel lists. This was error-prone and time-consuming, especially in large-scale installations with extensive sensor and actuator lists.

After

With the BMK Tool, the conversion process is fully automated. Inputs and outputs are identified, duplicates and errors are flagged, missing terminal numbers are added, and various Excel formats for PLCs, WSCAD, and documentation are generated – quickly, reliably and reproducibly.

1/4

Initial Situation

BMK data is often unstructured – in the form of text files, JSON, or inconsistent Excel sheets. Manually compiling and preparing the data is error-prone and leads to delays and inaccuracies in complex projects. An automated solution capable of handling all formats from a single data source is missing.

2/4

Idea & Concept

Development of a Python tool that analyzes raw BMK data from a 2D DXF plant layout, categorizes it, and automatically exports it into formatted Excel files. Common formats such as TIA Portal, WSCAD, and basic I/O overviews are supported. Company-specific formats can be added upon request.

1. Data Analysis

Analysis of a 2D plant layout and extraction of components
Categorization into inputs, outputs, and duplicates
Detection of errors, duplicates, and missing terminal numbers

2. Automation

Automatic formatting of BMK numbers
Adding missing terminal numbers (0–7)
Excel export with multiple sheets for different target systems

3. Integration

The tool can be integrated into existing workflows and is flexibly configurable to meet different project requirements.

3/4

Implementation

1. Development

Creation of modular Python scripts for data processing
Implementation of error detection and data validation
Testing with real project data to ensure robustness
Export of various Excel layouts for PLCs, WSCAD, and company-specific formats

Data Processing and Validation

Raw data is read, matched against patterns, and categorized. Invalid entries and duplicates are automatically captured and documented in separate Excel sheets. This enables early error handling during processing.

Excel Export Formats

The tool generates not only simple I/O overviews but also PLC-compliant ‘Constants’ and ‘PLC Tags’ for TIA Portal as well as specially formatted WSCAD exports with or without reference information.

Configurability

Parameters such as mode (EA, TIA, WSCAD), input/output directories, and naming conventions are fully configurable to suit various project requirements.

2. Rollout

Documentation and training of users
Integration into the electrical design workflow
Automated processes to improve quality and save time

The tool significantly reduces manual effort and ensures consistent, error-free BMK lists as a solid basis for control system programming and documentation.

4/4

Result

The automated processing of BMK data saves time and minimizes error sources in the creation of control and E-CAD documents. Through flexible export formats, the tool can be seamlessly integrated into further systems such as Siemens TIA Portal or WSCAD. The quality and traceability of equipment identification data has been significantly improved, which shortens project timelines and enhances planning quality.