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Design2 min read

Wiring harness design with EPLAN: from 3D model to assembly board

A wiring harness is no longer measured up on the vehicle and drawn by hand. How 3D data and requirements turn step by step into a design that is ready for production.

Wiring harness design in EPLAN Harness proD in our design office
From our production: Wiring harness design in EPLAN Harness proD in our design office.

Step 1: clarify the requirements

The first question is what the wiring harness has to connect and under what conditions: components and connectors, currents and signals, installation space, temperatures, media, movements and quantities. If a circuit diagram exists, it forms the electrical basis; if not, we work it out together with the customer.

Step 2: cable routing in the 3D model

In EPLAN Harness proD the wiring harness is routed in a 3D model of the installation situation, for example on the basis of the customer's CAD data. Cable lengths, bending radii, branch points and fixings become visible early, before the first sample is built.

Step 3: assembly board drawing and bill of materials

The 3D model yields the 2D drawing for the assembly board (usually to a scale of 1:1) with branch dimensions, connector views, protection and marking. Bill of materials, cutting list and work instructions are derived directly from it. Purchasing and production therefore work with the same data as the design office.

Step 4: sample, changes, series production

The first sample shows whether everything fits. Changes flow back into the model and are documented as a new revision level. After release we continue to support series production, on request with documentation to PPAP.

What digital design delivers

  • Fewer sample iterations, because lengths and routing are right early on
  • Consistent data from the drawing through to the cutting list
  • Traceable revision levels
  • Faster quotes and faster series ramp-up

Since 2023 our own CAD design office has worked with EPLAN Harness proD. More under Development & design.

FAQ

Answered briefly.

Which data do I need for wiring harness design?

Ideally 3D data of the installation situation, a circuit diagram or a list of the connections, plus details of the environment and the quantity. If something is missing, we work it out together.

What is an assembly board drawing?

A drawing of the wiring harness, usually to a scale of 1:1, that lies on the assembly board and shows where cables run, where branches sit and which connector belongs where. It is the basis for assembly.

Do you also revise existing wiring harnesses?

Yes. We revise existing wiring harnesses, for example when new components are used, lengths are altered or connectors are no longer available, and we document the new revision level.