Any help or advice from some routing guru's or possibly even an example would be greatly appreciated.
Specs:
Windows XP 64bit SP2
SolidWorks 2009 64bit SP3.0
OK, I found a few work-arounds. Basically the issue is this...
If an electrical component is not 'officially' considered 'part of the route' (i.e. it doesn't have a cpoint with a route segment tied into the cable somehow) then it WILL NOT show up in the flattened state.
This can be frustrating for things like backshells, zip ties, labels, covers, heat shrink etc. that need to be shown in the drawing and documented in the BOM.
You can insert them and mate them in the unflattened configuration, but again, in the flattened configuration, they are suppressed.
So how do you get around this?
I have some tricks. If you guys care, I will post em.
I know this is an old post but I am having the same problem. I would like to know the workarounds for this.
Here you go Doug. I attached an example file for reference...
Flattening Cables With Accessories (e.g. Backshells, Hdwr, Housings, etc.)
NOTES:
1. Non-connectors (components without CPoints) will be referred
to as an 'Accessory'. Components with a CPoint will be referred
to as a 'Connector'.
2. Accessories must be mated to an existing connector to flatten
properly. Mates to the cable or other non-CPoint components may
cause flatten process to fail. Use 'Coverings' feature to simulate
things like labels, tie wraps, heat shrink, looms etc.
3. PDM Workgroup users: Since Virtual Assemblies have limited support
in PDMW, you may have an issue where non-virtual parts (residing
within the virtual assy) are not checked in/out of the vault.
The workaround is to drag a copy of the non-virtual components in
the top level of the cable assy... then suppress them. Putting them
in a folder is recommended.
4. Reference Designators: If you use them in your BOM and they don't
show up when doing step #3, try adding ref des to the suppressed
components.
Procedure:
*) Insert 1st accessory into cable assy and mate as desired to
existing connector
*) Drag accessory into the 'Components' folder
*) Right-click accessory and select 'Form New Sub-assy Here'
NOTE: Inserting or dragging-in a new sub-assy may give error
'Cannot insert files into routing assemblies'
This is a workaround for the error
*) Name new sub-assembly as desired
*) Make sub assy 'virtual' (if not already)
- Delete old file from disk
*) Drag existing connector to new virtual sub-assy
*) Open sub-assy and 'fix' connector
*) While in the sub-assy, expand feature tree of connector and
highlight it's CPoint
*) Select 'Create Connection Point', select OK
NOTE: New ACPoint is added to sub-assy
*) Save and close out of the sub assy
*) Edit route
*) Delete sketch stub from connector to remove association to the old CPoint
NOTE: Alternatively you can use 'Edit Route CPoints' and deselect
the connector's CPoint, however your route sketch may disappear.
*) Right-click ACpoint in the sub-assembly and select 'Add to Route'
NOTE: New stub is created
*) Attach new stub to existing route sketch
*) Exit sketch and save
Route should now flatten properly
I keep trying to perform this workaround and running into problems. After I've created the subassembly from an accessory (which defaults to virtual for me), I cannot drag the connector(s) into it; I receive the message "Cannot move a component of a route subassembly unless it is open in the assembly containing its driving route". Using your attached file as a guide, could you elaborate which connector you moved into the virtual subassembly?
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