Creating Flat Cables

You can create new flat cables. You can also create second flat cable from the first one.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin:
  • Select the Automatically impose profile properties from segment connection point or cavity check box in Tools > Options > Equipment > Electrical Discipline > Electrical Assembly Design, Electrical Geometry Management tab, Segment Profile area. If you do not select this option, you will create a regular or multi-profile branch.
  • Before routing the branch, at least one segment connection point or cavity must have the rectangular section properties (flat cable parameters) defined in the Segment Connection Point Definition dialog box or Cavity Definition . For more information about Section properties, please refer to Electrical Library User's Guide: Adding Connection Points: Adding a Segment Connection Point or Adding a Cavity.
Related Topics
Converting Regular Branches into Flat Cables

Create a New Flat Cable

You can create a new flat cable, retrieving the flat cable's section properties owned by the segment connection point or cavity.

  1. Click Branch .

    The Branch Definition dialog box appears.

  2. Click Route Definition.

    The Route Definition dialog box appears.

  3. Select the first element to route. It must be the connector with section properties.



  4. Select the other object(s) to route.

    For more information about routing, refer to Electrical 3D Installation User's Guide: Routing Branches: Routing between Points, Devices and Supports.



    Note:

Create a Second Flat Cable from a First One

You can create a branch and route it on an existing branch point that belongs to a flat cable. In this case, you generate it from an existing branch by routing it on a branch point that is either existing or created on the fly. The branch gets the properties of the first flat cable. In this case, you do not need any connector to create flat cables.

  1. Add a branch point on the flat cable.

  2. Create a new branch within the same electrical branch geometry.

  3. Click Branch.

    The Branch Definition dialog box appears.

  4. Click Route Definition.

  5. Select the branch point on the existing flat cable.

  6. Select one or several routing objects (in our example, a point).

    You obtain a flat cable automatically:

    Important:


    • To obtain a flat cable, the branch point must be the first routed object.
    • The curve tangency (see red arrow on the image below) on the branch point is a line parallel to the existing flat cable's width direction. It means that the new flat cable's curve is perpendicular to the existing flat cable's curve on branch point.
    • The reference axis for profile orientation is a line perpendicular both to the new curve tangency and to the existing flat cable thickness direction. Therefore, the two cable's profile orientation on this branch point fits.