Flat Ribbon Cables in SolidWorks Routing 1

[APPENG]

Can anyone tell me if its possible to create a flat ribbon cable in solidworks routing?

Regards,
Jon
jgbena@yahoo.com

 

[JMirisola]

It's not currently supported...

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
Certified DriveWorks AE

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

Dell M90, Core2 Duo
4GB RAM
Nvidia 3500M

 

[APPENG]

BUMMER!

Regards,
Jon
jgbena@yahoo.com

 

[JMirisola]

Submit an enhancement request...

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
Certified DriveWorks AE

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

Dell M90, Core2 Duo
4GB RAM
Nvidia 3500M

 

[APPENG]

I just did, and contacted my TTM as well.. Thanks! In the meantime if anyone has a workaround besides what I am having to do now (sweeping and manually creating a from - to drawing with pin diagrams) I would be most appreciative!!

Regards,
Jon
jgbena@yahoo.com

 

[ctopher]

Your last comment is what I have done. It's a pain, I know. Creating a model of the ribbon is easy, but if location of the connector changes it could be a PITA to fix. If possible, don't model the ribbon and add a connection wiring diagram on the dwg.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 1.1
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-07-07)
ctopher's blog

 

[APPENG]

Yes i agree!

What I'm thinking as my next move is to actually create a custom cable in the library and name it 25 conductor ribbon and a from - to list for the pinouts. create the route in the assembly and hide it then create a part that shows the ribbon cable in its actual shape.. this way the drawing will still have all the info about the cable and the pinouts.. yep its a pain!

Regards,
Jon
jgbena@yahoo.com

 

[BodyBagger]

Maybe this will help.....it's a tutorial from SW 2005.

Modeling a Parametric Ribbon Cable in Six Easy Steps
Step 1
After downloading or creating solid models of the connector parts, modify them by adding two sketched lines that will locate loft sections of the ribbon cable part.

Step 2
Next create a cable guide part with two parallel lines sketched about .06 inches apart.

Step 3
Now create the ribbon cable assembly and place the connectors and two cable guides in this assembly.

Step 4
Insert a new component, the ribbon cable part, and exit the 2D sketch that is automatically created. Insert a 3D sketch; pick one of the lines sketched in the connector or ribbon guide part, and convert entities. Close the 3D sketch and repeat to create seven more 3D sketches for all the surface loft sections of the ribbon cable part.

Step 5
Loft a surface between all eight 3D sketches and then thicken.

Step 6
You're done. You'll find you can move the components, and the ribbon cable will up-date to the new shape. If you want a more realistic look, add a thread texture to the faces of the ribbon cable.

 

[BodyBagger]

Sorry forgot to include the link with pictures for each step.

http://www.designnews.com/article/CA623345.html?industryid=22203

 

[APPENG]

Thanks Bagger I like this approach!

Regards,
Jon
jgbena@yahoo.com

 

[SBaugh]

According to the Notes I read today, this is suppose to be added to SW2009.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

"If it's not broke, Don't fix it!"

faq731-376

 

[JMirisola]

You're right, Scott, it is. It even puts the folds in for you. From what I saw, they did a pretty decent job.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
Certified DriveWorks AE

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

Dell M90, Core2 Duo
4GB RAM
Nvidia 3500M

 

[fcsuper]

SW 2009 will support these directly.

Matt Lorono
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
Silicon Valley, CA
Lorono's SolidWorks Resources
Co-moderator of Solidworks Yahoo! Group
and Mechnical.Engineering Yahoo! Group