A bundle is a virtual object grouping wires and determining
the shape of their path. It is not a physical entity and is therefore not relevant for the bill of materials.
Bundles can be pulled through other bundles (including those with surface protections) and leading parts. The following objects can be pulled through bundles: other bundles (including those with surface protections), cables, and wires.
Two types of interpolation are available for bundles: Spline and Rounded corners. These can be set in the command bar during bundle placement, or in the properties bar for already placed bundles. With interpolation set to spline, the bundle will pass through control points. If the interpolation is set to rounded corners, a bending radius can be set. The bundle then follows a straight-line path between two control points, and bends with the given radius around any middle control points.
The outside diameter of an empty bundle can be adjusted in the General section of the properties panel. If there are objects pulled through the bundle, its diameter is recalculated automatically.
Ties and labels can be placed on bundles.
You can place one surface protection on two or more bundles which are connected by using the Stretch surface protection function or the Shrink surface protection function.
Default color, default diameter (for empty bundles) and the diameter calculation algorithm (for non-empty bundles) can be determined in the Workspace or Workdesk section of Settings.
Placing a bundle in the workspace
- Select the Insert > Bundle menu items or the
button on the toolbar. - Determine the first end point of the bundle by clicking anywhere in the working window. Alternatively switch to the command bar, determine the diameter of the bundle as well as the coordinates of the first end point, and click [OK].
- Determine the other points in the same way.
Other points like leading part end points or clip points can be used as throughgoing points. - While placing the bundle you can change its Path diameter and Interpolation values in the command bar.
With the Interpolation set to Rounded corners, a Bending radius can be set for the bundle.
- If you accidentally place an unwanted control point, press the [Backspace] key to remove it. The command remains active.
- Click [Finish] or right-click to finish the command.
- Repeat the command by using the space bar, if desired.
Placing a bundle in the workdesk
- Select the Insert > Bundle menu items or the button on the toolbar.
- Enter the desired coordinates for any control points, or click in the working window.
While placing the bundle, the diameter is shown in the command bar and can be changed.
Start, end and control points are automatically snapped to the global grid in the workdesk working window.
The Interpolation can be set in the command bar.
You can switch between the Cartesian and the polar coordinate system in the System section of the command bar. You can also switch between absolute and relative coordinates in the
Measurement section of the command bar.
- If you accidentally place an unwanted control point, press the [Backspace] key to remove it. The command remains active.
- Click [Finish] or right-click to finish the command. The so-called "active dimensions" are inserted within the bundle. You can edit their values, and the bundle changes accordingly.
The bending radius is displayed at each control point; by selecting a particular control point you can individually modify it in the properties panel. The radius of several control points can also be changed at once in the same way.
- Repeat the command by using the space bar, if desired.
See also