3D lead and cable assemblies - Program or Add-On? 3

[renasis]

Hello,

Over the past few years my company has been transitioning from Autocad 2D drawings to Solidworks 3D models. During that time we have been reluctanct to model leads/cables in 3D, because it doesn't appear to be worth it. It takes so much time to model the leads/cables, that the time would be better spent elsewhere. So, many of these parts have remained in 2D.

I am aware that you can make leadwires/cables using 3D sketches w/sweeps. I am aware that there is a Solidworks Router program, which I do not have any experience with, but it looks pretty involved.

I am a mechanical engineer. Perhaps there are some electrical engineers out there that could provide some insight on this. Are there other 3D modeling programs(other than Solidworks) out there that are better at creating routed wire/cable assemblies? Are there add-on packages for Solidworks, other than the SW Router, that could help create these leads/cable assemblies more efficiently?

Typically, in our application, the leads/cables are routed through an electric motor out to a control.


Thanks,

-ren

 

[ctopher]

You're correct, some of this type of work isn't worth the time to create the models.
I would either create the wires with sweeps or using router as you described, or create a fake representation of them and add a schematic on a dwg using Visio.
There are Autodesk products that can do this type of work.
Another option is to have you electrical engineers create the parts/dwgs.


Chris
SolidWorks 09 SP4.1
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Another method is to create the 3D sketch in a part, and then show that sketch in the relevant drawing views. The Line Font can be adjusted to suit the wire thickness and colour.

 

[renasis]

Guys,

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I have heard of using Visio and 3D sketches w/special lines. Just wish there was something more out there. Something simple to use, that you could create the 3D of the leads/cable assemblies. Maybe in the next 5 yrs they will have something.

Thanks,

-ren

 

[TateJ]

What about ROUTED SYSTEMS that comes with SolidWorks Premium? I used it a few releases ago when it was called ROUTING, I think. Probably worth a look-see.

Right-click. It's friggin' magic!

FAQ376

 

[NL8]

TateJ: The Router is is talking about is ROUTED SYSTEMS, which is still called Routing. We use it exclusively for hard pipe and pre-bent tubing. As far as electrical, Routing can do the runs you are talking about, but it is very involved and, in my opinion, more difficult than it needs to be. I've had to do some research on this lately and have come across two products that seem far better suited to it. One is a a new Gold Partner Product called ElecWorks by Trace Software, the other is called E3, though I'm not sure who that is by. I've only seen ElecWorks in depth but was very impressed by what I saw. Worth taking a look at if you don't mind spending some money.

Joe Hasik,
CSWP/SMTL/MTLS
SW 10 x64, SP 3.0
Dell T3400
Intel Core2 Quad
Q6700 2.66 GHz
3.93 GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 4600

 

[BodyBagger]

I like the look of the E3 software but I did not see anything on their website about SW, but maybe I missed it. I did request a demo CD for further investigation.

BB

 

[NL8]

You're looking for E3 Wireworks. Supposedly already configured to run with SW 2010.

Joe Hasik,
CSWP/SMTL/MTLS
SW 10 x64, SP 3.0
Dell T3400
Intel Core2 Quad
Q6700 2.66 GHz
3.93 GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 4600