ELECTRICAL DESIGN SOFTWARE FEATURE
for special vechicles STREAMLINING DESIGN
that keep the world turning. Ken Christie, director for Eplan UK, explains how the best CAE software can make life easier for the designers and manufacturers of these ‘special’ vehicles. Those working in this highly
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competitive area face constant design challenges and must consider the full lifecycle of the product from the earliest stages of design. More often than not, modifications to
the initial requirements for the vehicle occur along the way. This can complicate implementation and create confusion. Although these changes are aimed at improving the overall product and are integral to the design process, they can often result in miscommunication between departments and can lead to errors that are expensive and difficult to remedy. The right CAE software can help to alleviate this.
REDUCING RISK OF HUMAN ERROR A CAE system should connect all three of the key engineering disciplines involved in the development of a special vehicle – mechanical, electrical and software. By streamlining communication and collaboration between these disciplines, which are all too often isolated from each other,
t is vehicles like buses, trams, street sweepers and agricultural machines,
there are fewer opportunities for mistakes and thus less time and resources spent on scrap and rework. Traditionally, manufacturers opted for a sequential design strategy, where the project would move from one department to the other, as if on a conveyor belt. Mechanical design is usually carried out first, then the electrical design follows, with software development bringing up the rear. With CAE systems, manufacturers can work on different parts of the projects in parallel. This saves time and reduces the risk of errors stemming from misunderstandings between departments.
BENEFITS OF A GOOD CAE SOFTWARE CAE software generates accurate documentation with minimal effort and time spent by the design team. Eliminating discrepancies between the documentation and the actual ‘as-built’ product makes maintenance much easier and helps reduce the lifetime cost of the vehicle. This gives the customer greater confidence in the manufacturer’s abilities and quality control. A typical CAE package will make it easy to
define electrical schematics and will also offer support for fluid design. The best packages go further by providing facilities for designing wiring harnesses, not just in 2D but also in 3D, using data imported from the mechanical design process.
With CAE-designed harnesses, the vehicle manufacturer only has to release a limited amount of information to the harness supplier – typically production reports, cable sizes and connector details. This is particularly important for military vehicles, where restricting unnecessary transfer of information is crucial. It also allows for intellectual property to be kept safe, away from competitors. A good CAE package will smooth the
design process and iron out any potential issues before they become costly. CAE software can act as an exceptionally efficient assistant, supporting each department and letting the most innovative ideas shine through. It can streamline design and send savings straight to the bottom line for manufacturers.
EPLAN
www.eplan.co.uk T: 01709 704100
Your Gateway to Greater Efficiency
EPLAN Software & Service · · +4(0)·
info@eplanexperience.co ·
www.eplanexperience.co
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