Create ribbon cables and folds

Create ribbon cables

Define the ribbon cable by selecting Cable and Harness tab Create panel Create Ribbon Cable , selecting start and end connectors, and indicating how the ribbon cable engages with the connectors. Each mouse click in the graphics window creates a work point on the ribbon cable. Work points are used to add folds and manipulate the ribbon cable into the appropriate position and shape.

Note: Only connectors authored as ribbon cable connectors can be selected when creating ribbon cables. Other types of connectors cannot be selected.

You can also set the ribbon cable ID, and select a category and the ribbon cable definition to use from the library.

Tip: You can create work points within the assembly before creating the ribbon cable, to precisely position the ribbon cable to key points in the assembly.

1. In the browser, double-click a harness assembly.
2. On the ribbon, click Cable and Harness tab Create panel Create Ribbon Cable .
3. In the graphics window, click the start connector to use.

   A green directional arrow is displayed on the connector showing the outward direction. The orientation is indicated with an orange arrow.

4. Optionally, click Flip to reverse the side on which to create the ribbon cable. Use the arrow displayed in the graphics window as a guide.
5. Select a connector pin on which to position conductor 1 of the ribbon cables.
6. Repeat Steps 2-4 to establish connectivity with the end connector.

   A spline displays as a preview of the ribbon cable's path.

7. Click OK.

   The ribbon cable is created.

8. If needed, insert any number of interior points to control the shape of the spline in the ribbon cable sketch. Click in sequence from the Start fitting to the End fitting or endpoint.
   • To associate the point with existing geometry, select a vertex, work point, or center points on circular components.
   • To offset a point at a specified distance, select a face or work plane.

   As you make your selections a line appears from the selected point to the current cursor position. The system draws the line between the points as selections are made.

9. To change the offset while pausing over a face, right-click and select Edit Offset.
10. In the Edit Offset dialog box, enter the offset value (with or without a unit), and then click OK.

    Once the offset is changed, the new value is used until the segment is finished or until the offset is changed.

    Note: If no unit is specified the default unit setting is used.
11. When the ribbon cable shape is complete, right-click and select Finish.

Note: To add ribbon cables with intermediate connectors, create the ribbon cable so that it passes through the intermediate connectors. The intermediate connectors, however, are not recognized as part of the ribbon cable assembly. No connectivity is created to these connectors.

Add folds to ribbon cables

To set the direction of the path a ribbon cable takes through the harness assembly, you can add single or double 90-degree folds at work points that exist along the ribbon cable path. Directional arrows are displayed in the graphics window to guide your selections.

A ribbon cable with a fold is a single piece of raw ribbon. For modeling purposes, the ribbon cable is not continuous through the folds. When you add a fold, three separate entities are created: a fold entity and two ribbon cable pieces, one piece on each side of the fold. Each entity is represented as a node in the browser.

Note: When adding folds, the sweep that represents the ribbon cable can fail. In this case, adjust work points using 3D Move/Rotate or twist control.

1. Ensure a ribbon cable with at least one work point is displayed in the graphics window. If there are no work points, use the Add Point context menu to add one.
2. On the ribbon, click Cable and Harness tab Create panel Create Fold .
3. Click the work point to use for the location of the fold.

   An arrow that points toward the next work point on the path of the ribbon cable is displayed in the graphics window. The shaft is oriented toward the previous point.

   Note: You can also select the work point before clicking Create Fold.
4. Click a button to determine the type of fold to create; a single fold or a double fold.
5. Look at the arrow in the graphics window to verify that the fold direction is correct. If it is not, under Direction click a button to change the direction.
6. Optionally, click the button representing the portion of the arrow to align to geometry, the shaft or the arrowhead. In the graphics window, select the geometry to use. Valid geometry includes a work plane, planar face, planar surface, edge, work axis, or origin axis.
   Note: This is an alignment, not a constraint. If the geometry is moved, the fold does not move with it.