Autorouting Cables using .XML information

[ER_10877782]

Hello, 

I do not have a wiring schematic for my harness I need to model in 3D, however I have a table of this wiring harness that I would like to use to automate the creation of a wiring harness. 

In this table, I have wiring to, from, and what the wire gauge is as well. There is some other information however that doesn't seem necessary.

I see that it's possible to use a  .NWF file to autoroute, however I do not have this. Would it be possible to use this data to create a .NWF File in order to automatically set up the wires in creo? This would reduce my workflow immensely. 

[Lars_F · Accepted solution]

Hi,

I think that PTC doesn't have any tools to create the .nwf files from e.g. excel tables.

Many people have done different tools to create the .nwf files from excel table etc.
Here are links to some past discussions of the topic...

• best way to create .nwf file from excel file for creating cabling through logical data.
  https://community.ptc.com/t5/3D-Part-Assembly-Design/nwf-file/m-p/280061
• Using Neutral Wirelist Format (.NWF) in Pro/CABLING
  https://support.ptc.com/appserver/cs/view/solution.jsp?n=122559
• About Neutral Format Wire List
  https://support.ptc.com/help/creo/creo_pma/r8.0/usascii/index.html#page/electrical_design/cable/The_Neutral_Format_Wire_List.html#wwID0EGGDM
• CREO Parametric harness XML file format
  https://community.ptc.com/t5/3D-Part-Assembly-Design/CREO-Parametric-harness-XML-file-format/m-p/884582

Problem with these tools is always that you have to maintain them yourself. Creo Schematic is the tool that PTC offers for harness designs...

It shouldn't be too hard to create a macro yourself from your connection table.
Here is an example of a simple two connector, two wire .nwf file.

a) Schematic

b) How it looks in Creo

.NWF file

! Wire and cable spools

NEW WIRE_SPOOL 18AWG_BL_1
PARAMETER MIN_BEND_RADIUS 5
PARAMETER THICKNESS 2.01
PARAMETER UNITS MM
PARAMETER COLOR blue
PARAMETER DENSITY 1.22e-05
PARAMETER MASS_UNITS KG
PARAMETER OBJ_TYPE WIRE
PARAMETER WIRE_GAUGE 18
PARAMETER VENDOR "Alpha Wire"
PARAMETER VENDOR_PN "3055 BL005"
PARAMETER SPECIFICATION "18 AWG Hook-Up Wire 16/30 Blue 300V 30.5m"

! Components and connectors

NEW CONNECTOR J1
PARAMETER MODEL_NAME JST_VHR-2N
PARAMETER LAYER DEF_LINES
PARAMETER NUM_OF_PINS 2
PARAMETER OBJ_TYPE CONNECTOR
PIN 1
PARAMETER LOGICAL_NAME 1
PARAMETER ENTRY_PORT PIN_1
PARAMETER SIGNAL_VALUE X
PARAMETER LAYER DEF_LINES
PARAMETER GROUPING ROUND
PARAMETER INTERNAL_LEN 5
PARAMETER TERM_NAME SVH-41T-P1_1
PARAMETER TERM_AUTO_ASSIGN TRUE
PIN 2
PARAMETER LOGICAL_NAME 2
PARAMETER ENTRY_PORT PIN_2
PARAMETER SIGNAL_VALUE X
PARAMETER LAYER DEF_LINES
PARAMETER GROUPING ROUND
PARAMETER INTERNAL_LEN 5
PARAMETER TERM_NAME SVH-41T-P1_1
PARAMETER TERM_AUTO_ASSIGN TRUE

NEW CONNECTOR J2
PARAMETER MODEL_NAME JST_VHR-2N
PARAMETER LAYER DEF_LINES
PARAMETER NUM_OF_PINS 2
PARAMETER OBJ_TYPE CONNECTOR
PIN 1
PARAMETER LOGICAL_NAME 1
PARAMETER ENTRY_PORT PIN_1
PARAMETER SIGNAL_VALUE X
PARAMETER LAYER DEF_LINES
PARAMETER GROUPING ROUND
PARAMETER INTERNAL_LEN 5
PARAMETER TERM_NAME SVH-41T-P1_1
PARAMETER TERM_AUTO_ASSIGN TRUE
PIN 2
PARAMETER LOGICAL_NAME 2
PARAMETER ENTRY_PORT PIN_2
PARAMETER SIGNAL_VALUE X
PARAMETER LAYER DEF_LINES
PARAMETER GROUPING ROUND
PARAMETER INTERNAL_LEN 5
PARAMETER TERM_NAME SVH-41T-P1_1
PARAMETER TERM_AUTO_ASSIGN TRUE

! Rails

! Wires and cables

NEW WIRE W1 18AWG_BL_1
ATTACH J1 1 J2 1
PARAMETER TYPE WIRING_WIRE
PARAMETER LAYER DEF_LINES

NEW WIRE W2 18AWG_BL_1
ATTACH J1 2 J2 2
PARAMETER TYPE WIRING_WIRE
PARAMETER LAYER DEF_LINES

So it seems that you need the connectors, refdes values, entryport pin names, actual Creo model names (JST_VHR-2N.prt), cable info, and the connection info on your table...

Hope that any of this information helps...

Br,

Lars

[ER_10877782]

Hello, 

It does seem like creating a script is the best method of doing this. Thank you for your search on this topic, PTC's documentation on this topic isn't very thorough.