Place and edit pins and pin groups

Pins are points added to electrical parts to indicate where to attach wires.

Add pins to electrical parts

Use the Pin command to establish the location and names of individual pins on Autodesk Inventor parts. To define the pins, you select Pin, pick a point in the graphics window, and then add a pin name and optional properties.

The point you select for each pin determines whether the pin is associative to the selected geometry. An arbitrary point selected on a surface is the only point selection that is not associative. Pins are not adaptive.

1. With a part open or in-place activated, click 3D Model tab, select Show Panel icon . Select Harness to display the Harness panel. In the Harness panel Pin .
2. In the graphics window, select a point for the pin.

   When a valid point is selected, the point is highlighted and the Pin Name dialog box is displayed.

3. If appropriate, modify the pin name.
4. To add optional properties, click the Custom tab, and then provide a name, type, and value.
5. Click Apply.

   The pin name is checked for uniqueness within the part. If the name is not unique, you are prompted to rename.

6. Repeat Steps 1 through 5 to define additional pins.
7. Click OK to finish placing pins.

Add pin groups to electrical parts

If you are creating multiple pins, such as those required by ribbon cable connectors, you can define the pins as a group instead of defining them individually.

Use the Pin group command to establish the location, orientation, and names of a group of pins on Autodesk Inventor parts.

1. With a part open or in-place activated, click 3D Model tab, select Show Panel icon . Select Harness panel. Harness panel Pin Group .
2. In the graphics window, select a start location for the pin group.

   When a valid location is selected, it is highlighted.

3. Enter the number of pins in each row.
4. Enter the spacing between pins.
5. Click Select if not already enabled, and then click a linear edge to indicate the direction to orient the pins. The edge should be parallel to the row direction.
6. Use the arrow that is displayed as a guide to verify the direction. Click Flip to reverse the direction if needed.
7. Enter the number of rows and the row spacing.
8. Click Select if not already enabled, and then click a linear edge to indicate the direction to orient the row. The edge should be parallel to the pin direction.
9. Use the arrow that is displayed as a guide to verify the direction. Click Flip to reverse the direction if needed.
10. Indicate naming:
    • Enter a one-character prefix letter and a number that is 3 digits or less to start the pin group, for example A1. Use the preview to see an example of the selected numbering option.
    • Select a pin configuration option, and then use the preview to see the result of the selected option. For example, selecting Sequential Row increases the pin numbers sequentially from left to right. A second row would begin with the next number.
      Note: Circumventing is available only if there are two rows.
11. Click Apply.

    The pin name grouping is checked for uniqueness within the part. If the names are not unique, you are prompted to rename.

12. Click OK to finish placing the pin group.

Edit pin groups

Just as pins are added to a connector as a group, they are also edited as a group. When editing, you can change the location, orientation, and spacing of a group of pins.

Note: Delete the pin group and make a new one if you need to change naming or pin or row number.

1. Open or in-place activate a connector part that contains a group of pins.
2. In the browser or graphics window, right-click any pin in the group and select Edit Pin Group.
3. In the graphics window, select a different start location for the pin group.
4. Click a linear edge or work axis to change the direction to orient the pins. The edge should be parallel to the row direction. Click Flip to reverse the direction if needed.
5. Click a linear edge or work axis to change the direction to orient the row. The edge should be parallel to the column direction. Click Flip to reverse the direction if needed.
6. Change the spacing (pin pitch and row pitch) if appropriate.
7. Click OK.

Delete pins

When a pin is deleted, any wires attached to that pin dangle . You can reattach them using Edit Wire on the context menu. If the pin is part of a pin group, you can delete the entire group or an individual pin.

Note: You can also reattach wires using the Reconnect Wire Pins command.

1. Open the electrical part to modify.
2. In the browser or graphics window, right-click the pin to delete:
   • Select Delete to delete a single pin.
   • Select Delete Pin Group to delete all pins in a group.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 to remove additional pins if appropriate.