Adding Components to a Flattened Route

[Nicole6022]

I am using electrical routing to create electrical cables in SolidWorks and have been trying to add components such as marker labels, molded transitions, etc. to my route. They need to be in both the 3D model of the route, as well as the 2D representation after flattening.

I am able to add them to the route sub-assembly, but when I flatten the route all these components are "fully defined" in space at locations miles away from where the route has been flattened.

I have also tried adding the components after the route has been flattened, but have not been able to add more than a single component (not sure why, this seams odd to me).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Nicole

 

[drawoh]

Nicole6022,

Does everything have to be in all versions of the model?

Unless you are using SolidWorks' cable design tools, your cable drawings are not intelligent. You are creating one 3D model for the next level of assembly, and one to generate your drawing.

The 3D model on your next assembly does not need to show the labels or any of the small hardware attached to the connectors. The connectors, the diameter, bend radii and locations of the wire bundles are all the mechanical designer needs.

Make your cable drawing work. Show the fiddley stuff there, suppress it on the 3D version.

JHG

 

[Nicole6022]

Thank you for your response drawoh,

I would be OK with only having the added elements on the flattened route that would create the drawing, and have managed to accomplished this since my post.

What is SolidWorks' cable design tools? I am using SolidWorks Premium 2010, is this an add-on I can use?

Nicole

 

[drawoh]

Nicole6022,

SolidWorks has a cable design tool that combines cable routing with the wiring diagram and pegboard. This is an extra cost add-on. You should ask your VAR.

[ol]
[li]How intelligent do you want your cable drawings to be?[/li]
[li]How intelligent do your co-workers want your cable drawings to be? [/li]
[/ol]

Do not underestimate the importance of question_2.

JHG

 

[Nicole6022]

drawoh,

I am the only person in my company that uses the SolidWorks program, so as long as I am creating drawings that meet their standards as far as appearance and accuracy goes, the method I use to reach this end goal is irrelevant to them.

I was just hoping there was simple ways to have a 3D harness with components added to it making an equal flattened drawing.

Now that I have found this is not so simple a request, I believe as you suggested having the components on the 3D model is not absolutely necessary, and simply adding them to the flattened route after the fact is the way to go.

I appreciate all your input and help, please don't hesitate to give me anymore suggestions or input you may have.

Thanks Again!
Nicole