Best way to add an off-the-shelf overmolded (USB) cable to E3.cable + E3.formboard design?

Kevin Uskali

• October 18, 2018 18:32

For example, I must add an off-the-shelf 6' A to B USB 2.0 cable to my design.  It has a manufacturer part number, fixed length, and fixed connectors on either end.  I am not designing the USB cable, just integrating it into my design.

What's the best way to describe this USB cable in E3.cable and E3.formboard? Sub-optimal options:

1. Using a "wire" to represent it may work, but that doesn't check for the proper mating connectors.
2. Generate a full drawing for the USB cable and use a subcircuit, but this is way beyond the scope of what's needed. We use dozens of different OTS cables and this would be time prohibitive to document all of them.

Was this Helpful?

0

• 

  Paul Bloom

  • October 23, 2018 17:11

  Are you asking what kind of part to put in your library?

  If so, the best way is whatever works for you.  I create all COTS cables in the library as an Assembly, using generic parts.  So for USB cables, I created a generic type A, a generic type B, and a generic 4 wire cable.  Then I create assembly library part made of those generic parts.  The properties of the assembly can have those specific attribute values you wanted. For example:

  

  Was this Helpful?

  1
• 

  Permanently deleted user

  • October 26, 2018 06:12

  I agree with Paul. I have always used Assembly to create parts that are ordered assembled. In this case, you will have 2 connectors and a cable in the assembly. They all won't be placed all at once in the schematic so you can place it wherever you need the connectors. 

   

  Was this Helpful?

  0
• 

  Morteza Farsijani

  • November 07, 2018 10:51

  I agree also with Paul, but you must define also a templatesymbol in the assembly to shown the attributes of the Assembly on the cable.

  

  The Attibute EBB.42589 is definde in the Assembly and not in the Cab USB 2.0

   

  Was this Helpful?

  0

Please sign in to leave a comment.