Routing (Piping, Tubing, Electrical)
SOLIDWORKS Routing add-in for 3D piping, tubing, wiring, and cable harness design within assembly context.
Definition & Context
SOLIDWORKS Routing is a Premium-tier add-in that enables 3D design of piping systems, tubing runs, electrical cable harnesses, and conduit within assemblies. Routes are modeled as 3D sketches that follow connection points defined in component families (flanges, fittings, connectors). The system automatically inserts appropriate fittings (elbows, tees, reducers) based on route geometry and design rules.
The workflow: define connection points on equipment → start a route between two or more connection points → the route auto-generates with specified bend radii, minimum straight lengths, and fitting selections from a routing library. You can drag route segments to reroute around obstacles. The BOM auto-populates with fittings, pipe/tube lengths (including cut allowances), and cable specifications.
For electrical routing: harness design starts with a from-to list (which pin connects to which pin), then physical routing determines cable paths, bundle diameters, and connector sequences. The flattened harness drawing (a 2D representation of the 3D bundle) is the primary manufacturing deliverable — assembly technicians lay cables on a form board matching the flat pattern. Routing integrates with SOLIDWORKS Electrical for schematic-to-3D design synchronization.
Why It Matters
SOLIDWORKS Routing automates the design of pipes, tubes, and electrical cables/harnesses within assemblies, generating route geometry, fittings, and manufacturing data (BOMs, flattened harnesses) instead of modelling each segment by hand.
Best Practices
- Use route templates and a curated fitting/component library.
- Let auto-route generate paths, then refine bend radii and clips.
- Generate flattened harness drawings and accurate wire/pipe lengths.
- Keep the Routing add-in and library consistent across the team.
Common Pitfalls
- Modelling routes manually instead of using the Routing tools.
- Ignoring bend-radius limits, producing unmanufacturable routes.
- Incomplete fitting libraries causing broken routes.
- Lengths that ignore slack/service loops.
Standard Engineering Workflow for Routing (Piping, Tubing, Electrical)
4. GD&T Detailing & CNC Toolpath Export
Author 2D fabrication sheets with complete ASME Y14.5 / ISO 1101 geometric tolerances (Position, Flatness, Runout) and export STEP AP242 / Parasolid models for 5-axis CAM.
Common Failure Scenarios & Troubleshooting
| Failure / Geometric Issue | Root Cause & Mitigation Strategy |
|---|---|
| Sketch breaks or flips geometry when adjusting dimensions | Sketch was under-constrained. Always apply geometric constraints (tangency, horizontal/vertical) before adding driving numerical dimensions. |
| Shell or Fillet feature fails on complex curved topology | Curvature radius is tighter than fillet radius or minimum wall thickness. Inspect surface curvature using Zebra stripes and eliminate zero-radius sharp corners. |
| Assembly performance severely lags during rotation | Large assembly mode was disabled. Suppress non-essential cosmetic features (threads, knurls) and use lightweight component representations. |
Industry Standards & Compliance Codes
- ISO 1101 (Geometrical Product Specifications)
- ISO 2768 (General Tolerances for Machining)
- ASTM / DIN Material Specifications