Harness segments represent the possible paths that wires and cable wires may take through the harness assembly. The segments represent a virtual bundle of wires and cables. Each mouse click in the graphic window creates a work point on the segment. Work points are used to manipulate the segment into its desired position and shape.
The segment is created with a default diameter and is offset a specified distance from selected face geometry. You can adjust the offset as you work.
Segment branches are created by clicking an existing segment.
Define your segments as close to the appropriate results as possible and then adjust later. Or, develop them using work features you set when planning the segment path.
Place segments with or without the wire connectivity identified. The segments define a keep-out area in relation to the assembly for the wire bundles.
To create a segment you select at least two points, a start point and an endpoint. As you design, you can add additional segment work points where it is critical for the segment to adapt to changes in the assembly, or to control the direction of the segment around or through existing assembly geometry. Use as few work points as possible, since additional work points affect performance.
For more precise placement of segment work points, define work features at critical locations before inserting the segment. Work features, such as work points and work axes, are especially useful for directing segments through tie-downs, clips, or other geometry. Segment work points associated to work features update when the model changes. Work features can also help create a more accurate approach to the connectors, or direct the segment around geometry to avoid or pass through.
So that you do not lose the shape of a carefully designed segment, you can also set the points from a deleted segment to remain on the wires or cable wires that were routed through it.
When multiple segments exist in an assembly, the placement of the start and endpoints of the segment in relation to the wire connection points is an important consideration. When automatically routing wires, the system checks for the harness segment ends closest to each end of the wire, and then searches for the shortest path through the identified contiguous segments. Whenever possible, place the harness segments so there is no confusion as to which segment is closest to the wire connection points.
The points you select for segments determines whether segment work points update when changes are made to the associated geometry or positional representations. Segment work points created by selecting arbitrary points on a face, do not update to changes. Segment work points based on the following geometry update when changes are made:
Once a segment path is defined, there are several ways it can be modified. You can: