Cable Data Import

Cables: Import Cabling Import Cable Harness

The  corresponding dialog box enables the import of existing cable harness data. Three different Import  types (all ASCII based) are available.

• Harness Description List ( *.kbl, *.xml): KBL is a data structure in xml format. It is able to contain all information necessary for a complete harness including the 3D geometry path, the number of cables, cable types, signal types, the connectors, ... KBL is currently used by car manufacturers and created by specific inhouse software tools. Generally, the KBL data format is public domain.

• Nastran Harness (*.nas): The Nastran interface provides a universal access to common CAD tools like CATIA or Pro-E. Such tools offer the capability to export the 3D geometry of a cable path as a polygon line in Nastran format. When importing Nastran files, CST CABLE STUDIO automatically scans for such polygon segments (type: CBAR) and stores them inside the Nodes and Segments list.

• SimLab Harness (*.zlh, *.slh): The *.slh format is the internal harness data format of CST CABLE STUDIO. This harness description is stored in every CST CABLE STUDIO project under the following relative path: "project name\Model\CBLS\Harness\harness.slh".

In case of  Harness Description List there is the possibility to add more than one single file by pressing the Add button. This function exists because one single *.kbl file often contains only parts of an entire cable harness that has to be investigated (e.g. for motor control unit or for floor plan components). After pressing the Add button a  file browser will appear and the user can select one or more *.kbl files. After having added all necessary files the Attach button will be released and enables the import. A  *.kbl-file normally includes the unit size of its harness data and therefore, the size of the overall harness is unique.

In case of SimLab harness only one file can be specified. The *.slh format is the internal harness data format of CST CABLE STUDIO. This harness description is stored in every CST CABLE STUDIO project under the following relative path: "project name\Model\CBLS\Harness\harness.slh".

In case of Nastran Harness only one file can be specified. A *.nastran file normally does not include the unit size of its harness data. In order to get a unique size of the imported harness, there is the possibility to specify the unit size which is used during the import (see figure below):