Challenge

Wiring harness design in CATIA V5 - 3D modeling Week 2 Challlenge

Converting Standard component into Electrical component

Follow the steps below to define a standard component as Electrical one :

Create or download the 3D part as requirement. We can download these parts from vendor sites in .igd or .step format. Here, we are taking a 3D part of a connector (C-DT06-08SA)

Identify the component and decide the bundle entry face and mating face with respective counter part of connector.
Next steps are to create Geometrical parametres.
Create a point in centre of the face as shown. This is the Bundle Connection Point.

Create another point in centre of the face on the mating side too. This is the Connector Connection Point.

Add an Axis System at Connector Connection Point.
Make sure Y-axis stays normal to the mating face and X-axis stays in line with clips (locker).
Axis system plays a very important role while assembling the components together.

After creating Geometrical parametres, next step is to define the component electrically.
Switch to Electrical Part Design workbench and as this part is a connector, click on Define Connector Feature and click on the component.
Here, a single bundle connects to the component so select 'Select Insert Connector'.
Part number, we can keep default or change as needed.
Identify the number of terminals provided in the component and add the number and click OK.

Feature Tree will show the defined electrical component and terminals into it.
Now define the electrical parametres.
Click on Bundle connection point feature and the below shown box will open.
Select the first face that is normal to the bundle entry direction as 'Representation'.
Select the Bundle Connection Point as 'Point'.
Select the first face that is normal to the bundle entry direction as 'Initial Condition' and hit OK.

Feature Tree will show the defined Bundle Connection Point and the electrical parametres of it.
Now, click on Connector connection point feature.
Select Conector connection point as 'Representation'.
Select the mating face as 'Contact'.
Y-axis will be the 'Coincidence' and X-axis as 'Orientation'.

If a connector has Cavity point, then it is needed to define cavity parametres too. Here the connector has no such feature, so now this is fully defined as a Electrical component.

Here the connector is provided with mounting feature, so we will define cavity connection point too.
Add a point at mating face edge and an Axis System on it.
Keep the axes in the same orientation as mating face axis system.
Define the point later in Electrical Part Design workbench.

Add a point, that will be coincident to the Cavity Connection Point defined on connector.
Add an Axis System in the same orientation as defined on connector. If it is not oriented same way, it can create a problem in assembly.

Switch to Electrical Part Design workbench and define the component as Mounting Equipment.

Ship work like this
in your own course.