Abstract
Keywords - Electrical engineering, Interface CATIA V4/V5, Electrical CAD, Data management, Flexible engineering process for vehicle electrics
Abstract - Electrical engineering is a main competence in the development of commercial vehicles. Today a lot of specialised tools can be used for the development, but only the coordination and cooperation of these tools guarantees an advantage and a competitive edge in a further development process.
These advantages are: exchange of measurement data with 3-D-modelling, optimization of design of electric parts because of simulation and data base for electric parts and projects throughout the whole company.
Here we will present a fully integrated system for vehicles, supporting each part according to its purpose. Electric-CAD is used for the design of the electric circuit. A calculation and dimensioning is done in the simulation system. Mechanic-CAD (3D-DMU) realises the structure of the wiring harness. Afterwards in the electric CAD the harness is finished. Furthermore automatically all the necessary documents like parts list, installation plan, formboard layouts and information for planning and manufacturing systems can be generated. Availability of all necessary interfaces is obligatory.
Due to the technical integration of the systems and the globalisation of companies the emphasis has to be set more on organisation. On the one hand single tools have to be integrated, on the other hand the available information has to be actual and up to date for all users in companies worldwide.
The technical progress results in continuous updated development tools and new amount of information (i.e. CAN-bus). Therefore an electric engineering system with a flexible information management is a necessity.
The combination of useful tools in electric engineering supports the development of high quality products in shorter time. Additionally a documentation on a low cost basis can be obtained.