I`m working with a company to implement Inventor and (the biggie) to appraise AutoCAD Electrical as an integrated package.

Despite exhautive efforts it appears that there is no straighforward way to include crimps (ie terminals, connector pins and contacts) on to wire ends, and Inventor to then describe them on a nailboard or include them on a BOM. We can get the crimp data out of Electrical but cannot wire to the crimps then terminate at a device (this effectively requres two wiring sequences).

Also, I am trying to ensure that the electrical designer gives panel locations of each device; Can Inventor pick-up and use "inst+Loc" from the Electrical data set and actually do anything valid with it ?

It seems that the word "interoperability" really means "inoperability"...or am I just being cynical.

Any pointers would be appreciated.

 

I have now had it confirmed that Inventor cannot process all the data being generated from Electrical. Basically Inventor can only stick wire-ends in component holes as it`s routing function...Disapointing.

Wire crimps (terminals and contacts) cannot be included in the wiring harness BOM unless "tricks" are pulled within Inventor (something that will not be advised as standard practice).

I can share details of my findings if anyone is interested. It`s almost like the respective code writers of each application never met..even for a drink after work (!).

We are revising possible methods of working to account for the lack of functionality between the applications.