Cable Connector PropertyManager

A cable connector models a cable in tension that connects regions within a part or components in an assembly. To define a cable connector, select its support entities, material, and parameters such as the cable's diameter, safe axial strength, and pretension load.

To define a cable connector:

In the Simulation study tree, right-click Connections , and select Cable .

The cable connector is supported in Linear Static studies and is available with SOLIDWORKS Simulation Professional and SOLIDWORKS Simulation Premium.

Type

Cable Defines a cable connector between the selected entities.
Unit Specifies the units for the parameters.

End Joint 1 / End Joint 2

Faces, cylindrical faces, or edges (for shells) Specifies faces or shell edges to attach a cable connector.

You select the geometric entities to position the End Joint 1 and End Joint 2 of the connector.

Select concentric cylindrical faces or circular edges (for shells) at each end to keep the cable straight along its local axis.
Vertex Specifies two vertices to attach a cable connector.
You can also select a vertex for End Joint 1 and a cylindrical face or shell edge for End Joint 2.
  Offset distance Specifies an offset distance to position the end joints of the connector.

The offset distance is measured from the center of the selected face or circular edge and aligns with the centroid axis of the selected entity.
Reverse offset direction Reverses the direction of the offset distance.

You can preview the position of the end joint in the graphics area as you modify the offset distance.

Cable Parameters

Specifies the parameters of the cable connector.

Cable Diameter Specifies the diameter of the cable.
Safe axial strength Specifies the safe axial strength to evaluate whether the cable connector in tension can withstand the applied axial loads.
Tension pre-load force Defines the initial tensile force applied to the cable connector to simulate pretension.

Material

Specifies the material of the cable connector.

Library Selects a material from the SOLIDWORKS material database.

Click Select Material to open the Material dialog box.

SOLIDWORKS Simulation selects Alloy steel from the SOLIDWORKS Material library as the connector's material by default.
Custom Defines custom material parameters for the connector.
  • Young's Modulus
  • Shear Modulus
  • Thermal expansion coefficient
  • Density

Symbol Settings

  Edit Color Select a color for the connector symbol.
Symbol size Use the spin arrows to control the size of the connector symbol.
  Show preview Turns on and off the display of the connector symbol in the graphics area.