- Perceive their physical environment<\/li>\n
- Operate intelligently via circuit boards, processors, and embedded software<\/li>\n
- Affect the physical world with motors and actuated components<\/li>\n
- Communicate with the Internet of Things (IoT)<\/li>\n
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![\"pexels-photo-257736.jpeg\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2019\/09\/pexels-photo-257736-2.jpeg\" "\\"pexels-photo-257736.jpeg\\"")
<\/span><\/SPAN><\/P><\/p>\nThis level of intricacy is what makes the design of the electrical system so important. Supply too little power and electronics won\u2019t run properly. Supply too much and a fuse will be blown or electronics will be damaged. Too little network bandwidth and data packets will be dropped, undermining control systems or efforts to leverage IoT analytics. Modern products simply don\u2019t work without quality electrical systems.<\/SPAN><\/P><\/p>\n
Our latest eBook<\/SPAN><\/A> demonstrates how companies and engineers alike can more effectively respond to electrical system changes, and avoid unnecessary risks.<\/SPAN><\/P><\/p>\n
The collaborative, iterative design process<\/SPAN><\/H2><\/p>\n
Electrical systems require intense design work by electrical engineers, but mechanical engineers play an important part as well: routing wires, sometimes bundling them together, through mechanical assemblies in a product. <\/SPAN><\/P><\/p>\n
The design process often progresses as follows:<\/SPAN><\/P><\/p>\n
Electrical design.<\/STRONG><\/A> Electrical engineers create the functional\/logical design of the electrical system. They select the electrical components and connectors. They connect them with wires. They analyze the system to make sure it functions as intended. <\/SPAN><\/P><\/p>\n
At this point, electrical engineers have a fully defined electrical system, complete with information on which wires connect with which components and connectors.<\/SPAN><\/P><\/p>\n
![\"pexels-photo-301885.jpeg\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2019\/09\/pexels-photo-301885-1.jpeg\" "\\"pexels-photo-301885.jpeg\\"")
<\/span><\/P><\/p>\nMechanical routing.<\/STRONG><\/A> Mechanical engineers take that information and start routing wires through the assembly. Information from the electrical engineer serves as a to-do list. It shows which wire starts at which component, and at which component it ends. Mechanical engineers can group wires together, creating a bundle to keep things organized. While routing, mechanical engineers will determine the best path to provide all the connections.<\/SPAN><\/P><\/p>\n
![\"pexels-photo-461490.jpeg\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2019\/09\/pexels-photo-461490-1.jpeg\" "\\"pexels-photo-461490.jpeg\\"")
<\/span><\/P><\/p>\nDesign iteration and issue resolution.<\/STRONG><\/A> Even if wires are routed correctly through the assembly, the design isn\u2019t quite finished. Some issues have to be identified and resolved. If a wire is too long, the signal may be too weak. If a high-power wire runs next to a signal wire it can cause interference. <\/SPAN>Electrical and mechanical engineers need to work collaboratively and iteratively to identify problems and resolve them during this phase.<\/SPAN><\/P><\/p>\n
![\"pexels-photo-416405.jpeg\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2019\/09\/pexels-photo-416405-1.jpeg\" "\\"pexels-photo-416405.jpeg\\"")
<\/span><\/P><\/p>\nLong story short, electrical and mechanical engineers need to work in concert to resolve issues. They have to identify which components or wires correspond to which components or wires in the mechanical assembly. This process, coupled with powerful software capabilities, allows them to diagnose and resolve issues quickly.<\/SPAN><\/P><\/p>\n
Simple design tools expose companies to risk<\/SPAN><\/H2><\/p>\n
Companies are obviously rushing to produce smart, connected products and IoT advancements, which often leads them to design tools that are simple and readily accessible, perhaps already available in their organization. These often include:<\/SPAN><\/P><\/p>\n
- General-purpose diagramming applications<\/SPAN><\/A> to design electrical systems<\/li>\n
- 2D computer-aided design (CAD) applications<\/SPAN><\/A> to route wires and harnesses<\/li>\n
- Spreadsheet applications<\/SPAN><\/A> to build BOMs and perform engineering calculations <\/li>\n
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There\u2019s no doubt about it, these tools <\/SPAN>can <\/SPAN><\/I>be used to design electrical systems. But that doesn\u2019t take away from the fact that they have flaws relevant to the ways electrical and mechanical engineers collaborate that expose companies to risk.<\/SPAN><\/P><\/p>\n
Lack of handoff automation. <\/STRONG>Because these applications aren\u2019t integrated, there\u2019s no automation from electrical design to routing the system through the mechanical design.<\/SPAN><\/P><\/p>\n
Lack of iterative associativity. <\/STRONG>Lack of integration means changes by one engineer have to be manually assessed and interrogated by others.<\/SPAN><\/P><\/p>\n
Lack of interactivity. <\/STRONG>When engineers need to identify a wire or component in both the diagram and the mechanical assembly, these tools offer nothing. They\u2019re disconnected, each one with unintelligent representations of wires and components.<\/SPAN><\/P><\/p>\n
These shortcomings are not only inconvenient; they can lead to serious problems. Inability to quickly resolve issues can lead to missing design release deadlines. Lack of support for collaborative work between engineers gets in the way, making it more likely that a design error can be communicated downstream.<\/SPAN><\/P><\/p>\n
Electrical design software in Solid Edge was developed to satisfy companies\u2019 requirements<\/SPAN><\/H2><\/p>\n
There are so many new ways to minimize risk with new technology. For manufacturers to meet demand and sustain quality, it\u2019s critical to understand how to best integrate the mechanical and electrical aspects of their designs. Solid Edge electrical design applications are crafted to fit the needs of companies where easy-to-use and value are just as important as functionality. <\/SPAN><\/P><\/p>\n
Solid Edge <\/STRONG>is our portfolio of affordable software tools for product development. In electromechanical systems design, it provides the 3D mechanical assembly for routing wires and harnesses. <\/SPAN><\/P><\/p>\n
Solid Edge Wiring and Harness Design<\/STRONG> software helps engineers develop electrical schematics and collaborate directly with mechanical designs to optimize the overall design. The software provides data continuity from schematic to harness layout, enabling <\/SPAN>correct-by-construction design<\/SPAN><\/A>. <\/SPAN><\/P><\/p>\n
- 2D computer-aided design (CAD) applications<\/SPAN><\/A> to route wires and harnesses<\/li>\n
\n - Operate intelligently via circuit boards, processors, and embedded software<\/li>\n
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![\"circuit-circuit-board-resistor-computer-163100.jpeg\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2019\/09\/circuit-circuit-board-resistor-computer-163100-1.jpeg\" "\\"circuit-circuit-board-resistor-computer-163100.jpeg\\"")
<\/span><\/P><\/p>\n![\"Wire-and-Harness-eBook-cover.png\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2019\/09\/Wire-and-Harness-eBook-cover-1.png\" "\\"Wire-and-Harness-eBook-cover.png\\"")
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