Routing in SolidWorks is a powerful feature that allows users to create complex electrical, piping, and tubing systems within their designs. With the ability to route wires, cables, pipes, and tubes along predefined paths, SolidWorks routing provides a seamless integration of these components into the overall design process.
Creating Routes
To start using routing in SolidWorks, you first need to create a route. This can be done by selecting the appropriate route type from the Routing Library Manager. Whether you are working on electrical, piping, or tubing systems, SolidWorks provides a wide range of predefined route types to choose from.
Electrical Routing
For electrical routing, SolidWorks offers an extensive library of components such as connectors, terminals, and cable harnesses. These components can be easily added to your designs by simply dragging and dropping them onto your routes.
Piping Routing
When it comes to piping routing, SolidWorks allows you to select from various pipe types and sizes. You can define the path of your pipe by sketching it directly on your model or by using an existing 3D sketch. Once the path is defined, SolidWorks automatically routes the pipe along the specified path.
Tubing Routing
Similar to piping routing, tubing routing in SolidWorks involves defining a path for your tubes. You can use either 3D sketches or existing model edges as reference paths for your tubes. With the ability to specify bend angles and radii for each segment of tubing, SolidWorks ensures accurate routing of tubes within your designs.
Routing Components
SolidWorks provides an extensive library of routing components that can be used in conjunction with your routes. These components include elbows, tees, reducers, valves, and many more. By simply dragging and dropping these components onto your routes or specifying their positions through mate references or insertion points, you can easily create complex routing systems.
Editing Routes
SolidWorks allows you to edit your routes at any stage of the design process. Whether you need to modify the path, add or remove components, or adjust the properties of your route, all these can be easily accomplished using SolidWorks’ intuitive user interface.
Route Properties
SolidWorks offers a range of options to customize and control the properties of your routes. From defining insulation types for electrical cables to specifying material properties for pipes and tubes, you have complete control over how your routes behave within your designs.
Generating Reports
Once your routes are created and finalized, SolidWorks enables you to generate detailed reports for documentation purposes. These reports include information about the components used, their quantities, lengths, and other relevant details. This feature proves invaluable when it comes to estimating costs or ordering materials for manufacturing.
- Benefits of Using Routing:
- Streamlines the design process by integrating electrical, piping, and tubing systems within SolidWorks.
- Provides an extensive library of predefined route types and components.
- Allows easy customization of route properties.
- Enables accurate documentation through the generation of detailed reports.
- Tips for Using Routing:
- Take advantage of SolidWorks’ extensive library of routing components to save time during the design process.
- Create a route template with predefined settings to ensure consistency across multiple designs.
- Familiarize yourself with shortcut keys and mouse gestures specific to routing in SolidWorks for faster workflow.
- Regularly update your routing library to include new components and standards.
In conclusion, SolidWorks routing is a powerful tool that enables designers to create complex electrical, piping, and tubing systems within their designs. With its intuitive user interface, extensive library of components, and customizable properties, SolidWorks routing streamlines the design process and ensures accurate documentation. By following these tips and exploring the various features of routing in SolidWorks, you can enhance your design workflow and create efficient routing systems.