modelling cable assemblies

Anyone have an idea as to how to approach modeling cable assemblies in
'2004? I would like to layout cables, illustrating colour or individual
conductors as well as "features" like twisted pair, jacketed shields... It
may seem like "marketing show" but it would be cool to complete the document
bundle by deriving cable assembly drawings from the 3D Models.

David, Melbourne, Florida

 

SolidWorks Routing (formerly SolidWorks Piping) should have most of
these capabilities . . . at least eventually if not currently. That's a
$1000 add-in which will probably go up severely in price soon, so if you
want it go get it NOW. Otherwise there is even more expensive (but more
capable and more mature) software call EmbassyWorks which you can still
buy but which will not be updated any more and which may not be
supported past SolidWorks 2001+ (not sure about the latter -- contact
Linius Corp, now bought out by AutoDesk). That software can drive
wiring diagrams, "nailboard" drawings and netlists for cable assembly,
as well as interactively route individual wires (inside or outside of
wire bundles) and has connector libraries as well.

Otherwise you're pretty much stuck with using 3D sketches to sweep round
profiles in order to represent your cables.

Mark 'Sporky' Stapleton
Charlotte, NC

 

Mark,
Too late (from what I hear). The "Routing" module will cost $2495 and I
understand the cabling/wiring functionality will be coming soon. I wish I
knew if would compare to the old EmbassyWorks product but I don't. We'll
have to wait and see. One of the engineers here is very interested in it.

As for Linius, I doubt that you can even get a copy of EmbassyWorks for
SolidWorks anymore.

Richard

 

Richard Doyle wrote:
.. . . (clip) . . .

I think they still do sell it (but may not for very long). Last I
checked (about four or five months ago) they did continue to support
existing licenses and were willing to upgrade older licenses for newer
versions -- at least. No knowledge as to whether it will work with
2004, but (as the cobwebs in my brain clear a little bit) I'm pretty
sure that 2003 was not a problem. Anywho, it wasn't and doubtless isn't
cheap (if they still sell it at all). IIRC about $5000 for the base
product and $8000 for the whole enchilada.

Best regards,
Mark