RFQ Builder Software. RFQ Builder User Guide Version 4.5. Table of Contents. RFQ Builder Overview

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RFQ Builder Software

RFQ Builder User Guide

Version 4.5

RFQ Builder Overview

RFQ Builder is available with various Rockwell Automation product modules and an RFQ template allowing you to generate a complete RFQ for our products and services.

Follow four basic steps to create a complete RFQ: - Enter project and preparer data

- Create the equipment list (advanced product selection assistance is available for many A-B products.) - Choose which supplements you want in your RFQ

- Press a button to automatically generate the RFQ in MS Word

The documents you specified to be included in your RFQ will be automatically customized with your data. For example, any supplementary data on the products such as dimension sheets, one-line diagrams or spec pages will be added, all in the order you specified. This gives you the flexibility to create RFQs that contain the data you need in the form you want.

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System Requirements

Microsoft Windows version 95 or newer and Microsoft Word Version 97 or newer. The recommended minimum hardware is an IBM or compatible 486, 33MHz processor, 32 Mb of RAM, minimum 83M to maximum 240 Mb available hard disk space for installs without any other RAISE applications already present and minimum 5.5M to maximum 41M available hard disk space for installs with any other RAISE applications already present. Disk space varies due to options selected and the presence of the RAISE shared components.

Installing & Running RFQ Builder

Note: After you install RFQ Builder regularly check http://www.ab.com/raise

for updates. Follow these instructions to install RFQ Builder from a CD:

1. Start Windows

2. Insert the CD into the CD-ROM drive. 3. From the CD Drive, Run setup.exe

4. You will be presented with a dialog box that will allow you to install the RAISE application(s) you want. 5. Check the RFQ Builder box and any of the other packages you wish to install. Click OK and follow the

on-screen instructions to complete your installation.

Follow these instructions to install RAISE applications from the web: 1. Start Windows.

2. Start your web browser and use it to go http://www.ab.com/raise.

3. Follow the instructions on that site to select and install the RAISE application(s) you want. Follow these instructions to run the RFQ Builder:

4. Select “Rockwell Automation”, then “RFQ Builder System”, then “RFQ Builder ” from the Programs list on Windows Start menu or by double clicking on the RFQ Builder icon.

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Generate

RFQ _Help RFQ/

Preparer data

This is your equipment list. You can populate it either by typing in catalog numbers directly or getting product selection assistance from the Product Library. Use the toolbar items to create your RFQ

Open New RFQ

Save Document _Libraries

Viewing Feature Supplements Launch Applications Product Library

After you have completed building your RFQ, click the “generate Word Document” icon. This will automatically open MS Word and create the RFQ.

Customization of the documents will automatically be done for you

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Several Tutorials are available for you to learn how to use the many capabilities of the RFQ Builder Software:

Tutorial Description Page

Quick Start Teaches you the fundamentals of RFQ Builder. 4

MCS Load-Life Function Add a life requirement to your selection and print a Load-Life curve 7

Push Button This tutorial details the special Push Button functions. 8

Customizing the Template Learn how to customize your RFQ template 9

Quick Start Tutorial

This quick tutorial will get you off to a fast start with the RFQ Builder software.

1. Start RFQ Builder. You can do this by selecting “Rockwell Automation” then “RFQ Builder System” then “RFQ Builder ” from Programs list on Windows Start menu or by double clicking on the RFQ Builder icon.

2. While you could just start working on a new RFQ at this point, for this tutorial, you can begin by opening the sample RFQ found at C:\Program Files\RAISE\RFQ Builder\Proposal\Sample.rfq.

Open Sample RFQ

3. Next, update the RFQ and preparer data. Do this by selecting the icon or by selecting “Preparer Data” from the Edit menu.

The preparer data will stay the same from RFQ to RFQ so you don’t have to re-key it each time you start a new RFQ. However, you do need to open this dialog box and select the OK button to have the data included in the RFQ documentation.

4. Next, you can review the Equipment List and add a new product to learn how easy and powerful the capabilities are to use. The same product selection method is used throughout all of the RAISE software applications, giving you a consistent look and feel.

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You can rename the document if you wish These are items

already in the Equipment List. They were selected using the Product Selection functions of the software.

You can add items manually using this line

We will begin by selecting the Browse Product Library. Do this by selecting the icon or by selecting “Product Library” from the Libraries menu.

5.

You can narrow down the list by typing in keywords, such as “iec starter.” This example will show only IEC style starters.

You can also narrow down the list by typing in as much of the product catalog number as you know.

This is the highest level of the product library. By double clicking on the entries or clicking the + boxes you can open them up to show their contents.

For example, double clicking on Industrial Controls will show additional levels with all of the specific Industrial Control products supported in the software.

After you find the product you want, drag it onto the Equipment List . In our example, choose an MCS Starter.

6. Fill in the data required for selecting an MCS Starter, making sure you add some accessories. Choose each field by clicking on the field name. If you encounter a Question Mark, click on it to fill out the accessory data. If you encounter a check mark, everything has been selected for the accessory. When you have a complete catalog number, click on the OK button. You will then see your product added to the Equipment List. Notice how the accessories are linked to the main part by the item numbering.

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The catalog number builds as you select the application data.

The software makes sure that the accessories you choose will work with your main product.

7. After all of the products have been selected, you can choose any additional supplementary documents you want included in the RFQ. These supplements are tied to the products you have chosen and may include such items as a dimension page, one-line diagram or selection data. Add supplements by selecting the icon or by selecting “Product Supplements” from the View menu.

If you see a magnifying glass, it means that you can view that supplement . Just highlight the supplement and select the View button. You can either check the

boxes for the supplements you want or drag the supplements into the RFQ Outline. If you drag them in, you choose which order they will be included. If you use the check boxes, they will be included in the order listed.

8. The last step is to generate the RFQ. Do this by selecting the icon or by selecting “Generate” from the RFQ menu.

9. 10.

MS Word will be opened and the RFQ will automatically be generated. It will consist of all of the items in your RFQ Outline list as well as any supplements you selected. The pages will be in the order shown in the RFQ Outline. Just print it out and you have a complete and professional RFQ.

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MCS Contactor Load-Life Tutorial

This tutorial will teach you how to use the MCS Contactor Load-Life Functions introduced in the May 1999 Competitive Edge Module. With this feature, you are able to size your contactor selection based on a minimum required life of the device and are able to print a supplementary report that includes the Load-Life curve and data on your specific selections.

1. Start RFQ Builder. You can do this by selecting “Rockwell Automation” then “RFQ Builder System” then “RFQ Builder ” from the Programs list on the Windows Start menu or by double clicking on the RFQ Builder icon. 2. Open the Standard Product Library and drag an MCS 100 IEC Contactor into an Equipment List.

3. The important attributes for calculating the life of a contactor are: Supply Voltage,

Load Minimum Required FLA, Utilization Category, and

Contactor Maximum Ampere Rating. To specify the attributes:

Under System Voltage Data, select Supply Voltage, Line Phases, and Control Voltage. Under Load Data, specify Utilization Category and enter a value for Load FLA.

The Contactor Maximum Ampere Rating will now be selected and Actual Life (under Life Data) will be calculated.

To continue:

Go to Contactor Data, select Pole Configuration, Auxiliary Contact Configuration to complete your contactor.

Useful Information: Specifying a “Minimum Required Life” value will limit the “Maximum Ampere Rating” selections to

contactor sizes that would give the requested “Minimum Life” under the current selections. If the “Maximum Ampere Rating” attribute disappears, then there are no contactor sizes that would meet the requirements.

4. After completing the other selections and pressing OK, the contactor will appear in your Equipment List.

5. To include the Load-Life Curve Supplement, press the Browse Supplements button, or select Product Supplements from the View menu, and drag the Load-Life Curve Supplement into your RFQ.

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Push Button Tutorial

This tutorial highlights the special push button functions.

1. Start RFQ Builder. You can do this by selecting “Rockwell Automation” then “RFQ Builder System” then “RFQ Builder ” from Programs list on Windows Start menu or by double clicking on the RFQ Builder icon.

2. We will begin by selecting the Browse Product Library. Do this by selecting the icon or by selecting “Product Library” from the Libraries menu. In our example, choose an 800T 3 Position, Knob/Wing Lever Selector Switch. Select from the 800T 30.5mm NEMA 4/13 group directly under Push Buttons (not under Hazardous Location). 3. Fill in the data required for the selector switch. Choose each field by clicking on the field name. When you

encounter the Question Mark for the Target Selection, click on it.

This is the 800T Target Selector screen. Follow the instructions in the callouts A through D.

D) This table lists all of the possible cam solutions to meet your target table requirements. Notice all of the data that is provided to help you select the best possible alternative for your application. Choose the first entry and click on the OK button to return to the main selection screen.

C) Toggle between “Standard” and “Low Voltage” to see how your cam choices change in the bottom table.

B) As you fill in your target table, the list of available contact block types is updated.

Notice how the number of possible solutions changes as you add targets. When no solutions are available for a particular contact block type, it is greyed out and cannot be selected. A) Fill in your desired selector

switch target table. Use the example as your guide for the tutorial. When you click on a box, an “X” is added, and the rest of the row is filled in with “O”’s. Just click on an “X” to change it to an “O”.

6. When you have a complete catalog number, click on the OK button. You will then see your product added to the Equipment List.

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Creating Custom Documents & Templates Tutorial

This tutorial will teach you how to customize the Word template that is used to create your RFQ documents.

In our example, we will be removing the existing document footer and adding the name of your company instead (123Company) in the normal RFQ template.

1. Open MS Word and then open the normal RFQ template, C:\Program Files\RAISE\RFQ Builder\FW1.DOT. 2. From the View menu, select “Header and Footer.”

3. Go to the footer and change the existing footer to 123Company. 4. Save the changes and exit Word.

5. Go to RFQ Builder and start a new RFQ and then generate it. Look at the RFQ in Word and see how your new footer is used.

User & Tech Tips

Your Responsibility

It is your responsibility to determine the actual catalog numbers that should be purchased for the actual application.

On-Line Help

If you need help On-Line, turn on Novice Tips and place the mouse cursor over the item you want information on.

Drag & Drop

This program incorporates the Windows “Drag and Drop” functionality. This means if double clicking doesn’t work, try dragging your selection to where you want it to be.

Copying an Item

Holding down the [Ctrl] key while dragging an item will copy it. You can use this to copy items in the Equipment List.

Missing Headers and Footers in Word

If you find that when you generate your RFQs in Word, the document headers and footers are missing, follow these instructions to restore them.

Close RFQ Builder and Word. Then, restart Word and open the template file, C:\Program Files\RAISE\RFQ Builder\FW1.DOT. You may be prompted to convert or enable macros. Choose the option to allow macros. Then, save and close the document. Close Word. Next, restart RFQ Builder and regenerate the RFQ. Now, you should have the headers and footers visible in Word.

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Import File Formats

Spreadsheet Imports

Catalog Number

Enter catalog number in Row 1. Copy into an open

Equipment list.

The spreadsheet should look like this:

2 1492-W4 1492-W4

4 1492-W6 1492-W6

8 1492-W4P 1492-W4P

Quantity and Catalog Number

Enter quantity in Row 1 and catalog number in Row 2. Copy into an open Equipment list.

RFQ Builder will then validate all catalog numbers and create new entries in the equipment list.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Frequently Asked Questions file is accessible by clicking here: FAQs RFQ Builder.doc.

Updates & Technical Support

There are several ways to obtain updates and technical support for your RAISE Software applications.

Updates: http://www.ab.com/raise Technical Support:

Discussion Forum

http://www.ab.com/raise

Telephone: (414) 382-4200

ABECAD, ABECAD Clipboard, CrossWorks, RAISE Rail Builder, MCS Star, RAISE User Defined Devices, Proposal Builder, RFQ Builder, and RAISE are trademarks of Rockwell Automation. Windows, Word, and PowerPoint are trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation. AutoCAD is a trademark of the AutoDesk Corporation.