Quick VFD With Black Box Symbols - SolidWorks Electrical

One of the lesser known or used symbols in SolidWorks Electrical is the black box.  I am going to show you how to create a VFD for your schematic page with just that symbol.  

Start by having your motor branch drawn out.  Along with that, have control circuits that you want to use drawn in as well.  You can do these in separate objects or as shown here, one black box symbol.

 

With the branch and control drawn, you can insert your black box symbol as shown.

 

 

Once you have done that, the symbol has several terminals and circuits created for you.  I named mine VFD1 or whatever you would like to name your drive. 

 

Then go in and select the Mfg Part tab to view the circuits.  For this next step I will go in then and modify my power terminals and circuits.  Once I have those, I will go and modify the circuits for my control to what I need for the drive. 

 

These circuits are typically different for everybody, but generically this will convey the idea.  A completed drive is now in your schematic page and you could create a macro for that drive for the next time.

Corey Kubichka
Product Manager - SolidWorks Electrical
Computer Aided Technology, Inc.

Automatic Circuit Arrows in SolidWorks Electrical

Origin and destination arrows in SolidWorks Electrical let you create a continuity link between wires in different schematic drawings, or in the same drawing if required.  It could also be for cables in line diagrams or wires in schematics.  Placing these can be done automatically, saving yourself a couple of steps.

This command is used to automatically generate the origin-destinations between wires with the same number.   A specific symbol is placed at the end of the wire and a configurable text label is placed.  That label can be driven with a formula from the project configuration setup.

                       

A dialog box prompts you to enter the options.

 

For Selection:

• The whole project: Treats all the drawings in the project.


• Current book: Treats the drawings in the book to which the current drawing belongs.


• Selection in the scheme: Treats the selected wires.


• Choose schemes: Opens the drawings selector allowing you to select the drawings you wish to process. 

Following the Selection area is the Automatic insertion mode.  This is used to select or change the symbols representing incoming and outgoing origin/destination symbols.

  Opens the symbols selector to select the desired symbol.

  Used to detach the symbol.

  Opens the symbols editor in order to modify it.

Action

• Autoconnect: Generate origin-destinations automatically.


• Reconnect: Update the existing origin-destinations according to the operations performed in the scheme.


• Remove arrows: Removes all the origin-destination arrows for the selection. The “Include also manual arrows” option allows you to process manual origin-destination arrows too.

Optional: 

Connect when location is different: When this option is selected, it allows you to activate the connection between 2 wires in different locations as well.

Computer Aided Technology, Inc. 

Webinar: Introducing SolidWorks Electrical

Learn how the new SolidWorks Electrical packages enable true collaboration among electrical and mechanical design teams.

Event Dates and Times

October 15 : 9am CDT REGISTER

October 26 : 9am CDT REGISTER

When registering, be sure to list Computer Aided Technology, Inc(CATI) as your Solidworks Reseller.

We will demonstrate how easily electrical systems can be integrated into your SolidWorks models, resulting in shorter design cycles, fewer errors and efficient collaboration among your electrical and mechanical design teams.

With SolidWorks Electrical, you'll have the powerful and user-friendly tools that you need to complete electrical schematics, manage wires and cables, define harness/interconnect systems, as well as a massive and customizable library of manufacturer parts and symbols. 

SolidWorks Electrical 3D integrates the schematic design data into your SolidWorks models with real-time, bi-directional updates. Because updates are automatic and instantaneous for all users working on a project, design teams can collaborate more efficiently, faster and with fewer errors. Space is limited, so sign up today! 

Space is limited, so sign up today. When registering, be sure to list Computer Aided Technology, Inc(CATI) as your SolidWorks Reseller.

Jim TeDesco
Marketing Manager
Computer Aided Technology, Inc. 

SolidWorks Electrical is Here!

Earlier today Dassault Systèmes announced the launch of the new SolidWorks Electrical Design Software.  

What is SolidWorks Electrical?

SolidWorks® Electrical simplifies electrical system design with its intelligent design tools, comprehensive parts database, and real-time integration of your 2D schematics and 3D models. The simple, intuitive design makes both electrical and mechanical engineers more productive, enabling increased collaboration and integrated Bills of Materials (BOMs) and project data. The results are fewer mistakes and complications, for faster time-to-market.  

The SolidWorks Electrical product line includes:

• SolidWorks Electrical: 2D dynamic electrical schematic creation


• SolidWorks Electrical 3D: Use your schematic data to model your electrical system in 3D (including cables and wires)


• SolidWorks Electrical Professional: SolidWorks Electrical and SolidWorks Electrical 3D combined for creating both electrical schematics and 3D models

Watch this great video to learn more or visit our website, www.cati.com.

Jim TeDesco
Marketing
Computer Aided Technology, Inc.