The data hub accomplishes this in several ways. On the most basic level, the merger of the electrical connectivity with the mechanical model enables a 3D model, or virtual prototype, of the harness to be created far in advance of any hardware prototype of the machine. This virtual prototype can be used to determine wire bundles, paths and lengths, and to eliminate the process of manual measurements. Errors are caught on the software model and easily corrected before a single wire is cut or terminated. The software also can ensure that wires for data and power are separated.
Design changes are an inevitable part of the process.
The electrical system in a machine will evolve as the design progresses, and modifications to the original harness design will be required. With a central data hub, a change only needs to be made in one place. The revised data are automatically distributed to all affected parts of the design. Streamlining manufacturing inputs is also a key benefit of automation. The 3D model of the harness contains all of the physical harness information and can be checked for accuracy using the DRCs.