Interactive Wiring design process

The Interactive Wiring design process is based on the Capital Logic and Capital HarnessXC applications to provide a full electrical design capability from logical schematics through to fully detailed and costed harness drawings.

The interactive design flow process is based on the electrical engineers creating the definition of both logical schematic connectivity – for example, connect pin 27 of the engine ECU with pin 5 of the power-systems ECU – plus creating the wiring definition of the schematic connectivity – for example, the connections between pin 27 and pin 5 is defined by 3 physical wires passing through two inline connectors.

Generative design process

The Generative design process is based on the Capital Logic, Capital Integrator and Capital HarnessXC applications to provide a full electrical design capability from logical schematics through physical/topological wiring generation, and onto fully detailed and costed harness drawings.

With the generative flow, electrical engineers provide the definition of the logical schematic connectivity – for example, connect pin 27 of the engine ECU with pin 5 of the power-systems ECU – plus providing a physical/topological layout of the car or aircraft – for example, cables can only be routed along a defined network of cable paths. CHS can integrate the logical and physical information to automatically generate the wiring definition, including auto-generated wiring diagrams, allowing the same logical designs to be reused in a succession of different physical designs.

Project and process management

Project norms such as naming conventions, design rule check patterns and diagram style-templates can be defined and automatically applied. Process constraints such as release management sequence, component usage and analysis scripts can be mandated. Integration with workflow tools is also available.

Design change management

The data-centric architecture of CHS is designed to facilitate change processes. Multiple change management capabilities are provided such as tabular & graphical difference reports; version management; compatibility control (“build lists”); and aerospace-effectivity tracking.

Intuitive electrical simulation and analysis

Multiple capabilities are available ranging from simple subsystem behavior simulation, through DC and transient simulation, to whole vehicle validation and failure analysis. Fully integrated with the design environment, these tools have been developed for use by all design engineers, not just analysis specialists.

Deep integration with MCAD platforms

Such as Dassault Systèmes’ CATIA V5 and Siemens NX. Data can be shared either offline or in a live “connected” mode, which aids visualization. Design changes can be trapped and reconciled. PDM integration is also available, for example to slave component library data or to vault released designs.

Cross-organization communication

CHS supports cross-organization data communication at several points in the design flow. Multiple data formats are supported, and specialized functionality such as part number translation is provided. 

Harness engineering

CHS provides powerful automatic harness engineering and validation functionality, for example by automatically selecting library components or validating splice balancing rules.  Modern construction methods such as modular (subassembly) build are fully supported. Very detailed harness costing is available from a model containing over 300 design and process parameters. 

Configuration capture and composite (superset) data management

Configuration logic can be authored or imported. All design, simulation and reporting activities are undertaken within this composite environment, whether at the full vehicle or individual harness level. This critical capability further supports easy and robust change management. 

Diagram synthesis

CHS can automatically generate diagrams from data, so freeing engineers to work on creative design tasks. Style templates can be applied, and drawing contents are laid out for maximum readability. 

With these critical process management foundations in place, CHS supports electrical design process flows from logical subsystem design, through sub-system integration and wire harness engineering, onto harness manufacturing and provision of after-sales service documentation & diagnostics.