Sometimes the name can through you off track esspecially with a name like “Black Box”. No I am not talking about the one found in a plane after the crash. I am talking about the symbol used within SOLIDWORKS Electrical 2016. Simply stated a “black Box” is a generic schematic symbol used which has a number of inputs and outputs and what happens inside the box doesn matter at this point. This sysmbol can be used on the fly and can later be assoicated to a manufacturer or a specific part like a moter drive. In SOLIDWORKS Electrical 2016 the “black Box” function is extremely easy to use as you will see. It can also be manipulate just as easy to fit what ever needs you may have or want. So lets take a look.
I have started with a Power schematic and have inserted a multiple line drawing. Next I want to choose Insert Black Box. This functions starts by allowing me to pick the startting corner and drag to the size I need. I will be drawing a larger Black Box so I can use it explain leter funtuctions. Once I have selected my second corner this automatically brings up Symbol Property Manager. From here I can edit my part mark, location, description just like any other part. Now with regards to class, this is where I can assign a different class like motor drive depending on my modifications. Also I can assign a manufacturer at this time or later whaterever you prefer.
You can see the part mark populate in the upper left corner and the black box automatically adds the teminals for the connection of each wire. Now if the black box was created first the connections do not auto-populate. From here a right click on the part allows you to change things like symbol properties, terminal proteries, add or delete connection points, etc. (Below) So lets right click on the symbol then select edit terminal properties. This brings up our terminal editor. slecting our Mark column we are able to change these properties to match our needs. After making your changes and selecting OK this will automatically update your schematic. These attributes can be moved if you want so they are inside the symbol if need be. I hope this help dispell some of th emystery sourounding your black box. The next blog willcontinue on and will deal with adding addition connection points and moving the attributes around to fit our need. So be sure to check in again.
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