topic Re: Cable Length Parameter in 3D Part & Assembly Design

Cable Length Parameter

wbottis — Mon, 24 May 2021 18:50:25 GMT

Hello,

I have routed a cable. How can I display the length of the cable in a table (i.e. what parameter captures the length of the cable)? Thank you.

Re: Cable Length Parameter

tbraxton — Mon, 24 May 2021 19:09:17 GMT

Write a relation that uses the cable_len function in the part of interest. You can then use the parameter defined in the relation in a table or note.

For a segment of a cable or bundle, use the following syntax:

cable_len ("cable_name",location_id1,location_id2)

For a cable length from the proximal to distal connection, use the following syntax:

cable_len ("cable_name",-1,-1)

Re: Cable Length Parameter

wbottis — Mon, 24 May 2021 19:59:47 GMT

Is this relation written in the harness.prt or the harness.asm containing the harness.prt and connectors?

Re: Cable Length Parameter

wbottis — Mon, 24 May 2021 20:14:30 GMT

OK, I wrote the relation in the .asm file containing the routed harness and it's calculating a length of 0. I'll keep trying.

Re: Cable Length Parameter

tbraxton — Mon, 24 May 2021 20:15:42 GMT

I would define the relation in the part files unless the length can only be calculated in the context of an assembly.

Details on the cable_len functionality.

http://support.ptc.com/help/creo/creo_pma/usascii/index.html#page/electrical_design/cable/About_Fixing_the_Length_of_a_Cable.html

Re: Cable Length Parameter

wbottis — Mon, 24 May 2021 20:29:51 GMT

No matter what I use as the "cable_name", the result is 0. I have used "CABLE_1", which is at the top of the model tree, but the result is still 0.

Re: Cable Length Parameter

tbraxton — Mon, 24 May 2021 20:34:51 GMT

If you use the length function is it reporting the result as 0?

Select Applications > Cabling > select Cable length from Info Group
Select a cable from graphics area
Select from and to cable locations of the segment to measure on the screen

Notes:

For a correct segment length measurement, select from and to locations through which the selected cable is actually routed
The locations must be selected on the screen, not in the Model Tree

Re: Cable Length Parameter

wbottis — Mon, 24 May 2021 20:50:00 GMT

Performing the following steps below and then clicking the cable in the graphics window, I am getting an actual length value, NOT zero.

Select Applications > Cabling > select Cable length from Info Group

Re: Cable Length Parameter

tbraxton — Mon, 24 May 2021 21:03:52 GMT

As a first step I would post the exact syntax you are using to define the parameter in the relation editor. If that does not help then you should post the models and your system setup for more help.

Since manually querying the length reports an accurate value it would seem it is not a bug. The most likely cause is that the syntax of the relation you are writing is not compliant with the requirements. It is difficult to determine the root cause without access to the data. I do not have access to a Pro/Cable license currently but someone else may be able to debug your model.

Re: Cable Length Parameter

wbottis — Tue, 25 May 2021 13:03:24 GMT

Here is the syntax I am using:

length=cable_len("cable_1",-1,-1)

where, "cable_1" is the first feature in the harness.prt as shown below. Note: the relation was successfully verified, but is stating 'Probable error in function evaluation.' Also, note that the relation was applied to the assembly containing both the harness.prt and the 2 connectors on either end of the cable. Thank you.

Re: Cable Length Parameter

tbraxton — Tue, 25 May 2021 13:44:39 GMT

It appears your syntax is bad. You left out the "space" after cable_len in the relation.

cable_len ("cable_name",-1,-1)

Your relation omits this space.

"Here is the syntax I am using:

length=cable_len("cable_1",-1,-1) "

Re: Cable Length Parameter

wbottis — Tue, 25 May 2021 14:12:40 GMT

I added the space and evaluated. I'm still receiving an error.

Re: Cable Length Parameter

tbraxton — Tue, 25 May 2021 14:21:43 GMT

Are there any other relations in your model that you are testing? I would simplify the test case as much as possible.

Make a simple model of a cable and test this approach, I can tell you that it has worked previously.

It is possible that there is a bug, open a call with PTC support if you think it is.

Re: Cable Length Parameter

wbottis — Tue, 25 May 2021 15:29:37 GMT

I created a new cable assembly, entered the function, and evaluated. The result is zero. The cable assembly has 2 connectors with a straight length of cable spanning them (two cable locations). Measuring the length yields an actual result, so the same issue here.

Re: Cable Length Parameter

Chris3 — Tue, 25 May 2021 16:00:00 GMT

I think the problem is your wire isn't named cable_1. Use the find command and change the look for to be cable. Then do history all. Find the wire you are looking for and then note the name after "cable:"

For instance the find results will look like:

Cable:w1:AssemblyName

In this instance w1 is the name of the wire/cable.

Its also possible that bundles can't be measured this way ... I just tried one (really short one) and got the same result as you. I don't have any other bundles to try quickly.

Re: Cable Length Parameter

wbottis — Tue, 25 May 2021 16:31:47 GMT

Chris, I have located the name of the cable using the find command. Per your interpretation, CABLE_1 is the name of the cable, so this does not appear to be the issue. I will try and run a wire instead of a cable next.

Re: Cable Length Parameter

wbottis — Tue, 25 May 2021 16:35:08 GMT

Same issue when running a simple wire. Result is zero.

Re: Cable Length Parameter

Chris3 — Tue, 25 May 2021 16:49:57 GMT

Are you in cabling mode when you are evaluating the length? IE do you see the active part symbol next to the harness part?

Re: Cable Length Parameter

wbottis — Tue, 25 May 2021 18:27:29 GMT

No, I don't think you can apply a relation to the harness in cabling mode? I tried this initially.

Re: Cable Length Parameter

kdirth — Tue, 25 May 2021 18:28:15 GMT

I have not used cabling yet, but seems to me you are measuring from one end to the same end with cable_len ("cable_name",-1,-1). Should -1,-1 be -1,1 or -1,0 or 0,-1? Not the same location ID for both ends.