What software tools do teams use for creating an electrical schematic? We have never attempted to document the entire control system and I’d like to try this year. I’m familiar with options like AutoCAD Electrical and SolidWorks Electrical, are there any better tools? Do schematic “blocks” exist for the standard items like roboRIO, PDP, etc that already have all of the I/O detailed? Does your team do something similar and can you offer any insight into your process?
Actually, we’ve done our schematics in power point using “connectors” in recent years. We didn’t go for true schematic diagrams, but rather pictures and bundled wires that clearly showed what pieces of equipment were on which board/frame element, and what color codes had been assigned. The main point here is to have something that a rookie can read, not necessarily 100% correct for from an electronics schematic standpoint. Also, to make sure that none of the wires are left out!
I have done the schematics in AutoCAD Electrical since 2010 for 1922, OzRam. One reason is that I want the students to get used to reading real schematics. I structure them just like I do in my work as an electrical engineer building automation equipment, using wire numbers and including colors and wire sizes on the drawing. Another reason for using AutoCAD Electrical is that in my experience it is the most common software in industry for schematics.
I shared a .pdf version of the 2010 drawings in this thread: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85794
I have not started the 2015 schematics yet but plan on making electrical blocks or “symbols” as AutoCAD calls them soon as there is enough info available to do much of it.
I would love to teach the students and I have had a few do it with me but it is usually when they are involved and needed in other phases of the build.
We do ours in Visio. Attached is our diagrams from last year.
Electronics Diagrams.pdf (982 KB)
Electronics Diagrams.pdf (982 KB)
I am in the process of setting up Altium (apply to get a free license) for documenting our electrical system for the coming season. It is an “electronic CAD” program oriented towards board-based designs. I see AutoCAD Electrical being used more for large electrical systems (not board-based) such as industrial equipment.
Electronic CAD programs are better oriented towards laying out of the components in an efficient manner. The better ones have a “rubber band” feature that allows components to be moved without losing the connections. The better Electronic CAD systems also support hierarchal designs, making much easier to implement and support modular designs. Should one need to make a custom circuit, it becomes one of the blocks in the hierarchy.
I am told that AutoCAD Electrical has all kinds of nice features that are helpful for that application such as producing wiring diagrams for the people assembling lareg and very complicated pieces of equipment. I am not aware that AutoCAD Electrical has a rubber band feature.
I know only a little about Atrium but it is geared more towards PC boards. I picture the robot as more of a piece of equipment.
ACADE (AutoCAD Electrical) does a good job laying out components and linking them to the schematics, especially on a panel, but for components on the robot a mechanical software such as Inventor or Solidworks is better for the overall design.
ACADE does not have a “rubber band” feature as such but you can move an entire circuit, copy an entire circuit or save a circuit for later.
I must admit I am biased as I use ACADE most every day at work.
Does anyone know what software is used to create the data/power schematics in the KoP. Particularly like this one: http://www.usfirst.org/sites/default/files/uploadedFiles/Robotics_Programs/FRC/Game_and_Season__Info/2012_Assets/Robot%20Data%20Connectivity%20Diagram%20(PWM).pdf
PDF properties says AutoCAD 2012.
If your high school is one of the Project Lead the Way schools Autodesk will give you their software (including AutoCAD Electrical) for free.
No need to fall under PLTW, it’s all free nowfor education.
I have used CadSoft EAGLE for several years now to do all sorts of schematic diagrams and basic board layout. They have a freeware version that is pretty good. It can be a little tricky to learn at first, but I was able to pick up on the basics and make good schematics after an hour or two of online tutorials and youtube videos.
If you’re looking to do more block/wiring diagram stuff (similar to the control system diagram that was mentioned earlier) I would second the suggestion of powerpoint; I have seen some very professional and detailed diagrams produced using powerpoint.
SolidWorks and SolidWorks Electrical schematics will be posted at www.solidworks.com/FIRST on Saturday afternoon.
You can use SolidWorks Electrical 2D for your schematic and control diagrams. You can use SolidWorks Electrical 3D to connect the schematic to the mechanical 3D SolidWorks model.
We are making 3D models with electrical information created so you can use it for both the mechanical, electrical and control systems.