Siemens’ Latest NX Offers Big Enhancements

When Siemens implemented its continuous release plan almost two years ago, it promised enhancements to NX every six months. This month, the company released the newest update of its NX software with enhancements to model-based definition, Synchronous Technology and an improved extensive CAM enterprise. 

The desktop CAD and CAE software now has more simulation functionality and an automated multi-physics platform. The company has also added new features, including algorithmic modeling, additive manufacturing design and convergent modeling upgrades.

Sketch 

Changes start where the design process begins: the sketcher. Enhanced visual feedback uses artificial intelligence (AI) to perform geometric constraint solving and guess which shapes the user needs based on the rest of the design. Instead of using CAD after the initial sketch, the software now allows users to employ CAD during the sketch phase. The company has also reduced the required click count and labeled the principal planes on which to sketch.

Algorithmic Modeling

Overview of NX algorithmic modeling. (Video courtesy of Siemens.)

Through NX software, users can now create a customizable design without the need for manual modeling and complex programming. With algorithmic modeling, users can simply describe the design using rules to define the structure, such as the number of floors in a building or the slant of an object, and let the program build the structure for them. Users can experiment with algorithmic modeling until they are happy with the results. The feature also allows users to save time by producing product forms and saving them as templates for use in other workflows. The feature also helps users create algorithms using a logic editor. The engineer can then save these algorithms as a template for their designs. 

Siemens has added the ability to create convergent bodies with mixed geometry that combines scan data and precise and continuous CAD geometry, which is helpful in reverse engineering. Siemens has also added a Replace Face of Mesh command and made available an optional Implicit Modeling module that allows users to create equation-driven structures and complex designs.

Additive manufacturing design requires fewer resources than CAD but offers greater flexibility and speed in designing structures. It allows users to create different parts and then combine them into a single lattice structure while improving quality and speed. This simplifies assembly because there are fewer pieces. 

The wrap mesh command helps users make STL/mesh models for 3D printing and wrap a volume to make a watertight mesh body. The software now has improved multi-axis and planar printing through new support profiles, coating capabilities, and CLI slicing. 

The new model-based definition (MBD) capabilities in NX got a lot of attention in this release. NX uses AI to remove tedious processes and validate the structure to comply with industry and company standards through the new adviser. The software can alter construction to meet product and manufacturing information (PMI) rules with an adviser. An interactive logic editor diagramming interface builds and executes PMI rules and captures characteristics of design data. 

During the pandemic, many engineers and teams have found it necessary to work together while maintaining social distance. Siemens assembly, which includes planning workflows, automating planning tasks, and validating assembly, now focuses on adding multi-user design. NX users can now collaborate in the software and notify others of any changes that were made. While different users cannot work on the same file simultaneously, the software will notify others when someone has opened a part so they can see what is being changed.

Whether the viewer is looking to develop products or design specific electronics, the PCB Exchange allows users to produce circuits and cable components for any design. The interface supports cavities, internal layer structures, blind and buried vias support, conductive shape support, and RF shape support. But new to the software is its rigid-flex design capabilities that allow users to create, edit and collaborate with others on fully flattened models and processes. 

Siemens mold, tool and die solution aims to simplify the workflow by automating certain areas of the process. Product and part designers as well as NC programmers can all work together in the same software environment. The NX tool offers molded part validation, automated mold design, progressive die design, and jig and fixture design. But the software is now completed with multiple new features. Using mold cooling analysis, users can simulate thermal behavior in mold inserts. The forming analysis also enables users to validate their designs in the software itself. It also features simulation and springback analysis capabilities. 

Using NX’s new abilities and Teamcenter, manufacturers can use tools in the manufacturing resources library. Its simple drag-and-drop feature means that professionals can program and manufacture high-quality parts in one software program. 

This manufacturing tool automates reading 3D part geometry and associated PMI of the CAD model and identifies defined features and tolerances. It now creates inspection paths on planar sections used to inspect parts with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) data by  providing the planar face as input, which replaces the need for auxiliary geometry. Users can then control the angles of the inspection paths by using its 5-axis inspection programming functions for Renishaw REVO. 

NX CAM provides NC program capabilities to connect planning 3D models, data and processes, and shop floor operations. The new machining planar deburring methods automate deburring paths on prismatic parts and track paths by generating the tool path. The tool also does corner chamfering on its own to reduce programming time. It also automatically recognizes edges to optimize tool paths for machining. The adaptive milling cycle can now program prismatic parts for deep cuts and speedy production by switching the trochoidal operation to an adaptive cut pattern. Adaptive milling also supports region multi-threading, taking less than a minute to generate. Lastly, pinch turning allows the use of two cutting tools at the same time while ensuring that the forces remain balanced. The tools can cut the same diameter in the balanced mode or different diameters in the merged mode. The organization has also added optimized cut patterns in addition to the rough turn smoothing operation. 

Senior consultant at CIMdata Tom Gill commented on the latest version: “I’ve been in the CAD/PLM game my entire career, over 35 years. Rarely have I been as impressed by a big leap forward as we saw today. Siemens continues to innovate and reimagine CAD design in a way that truly looks to the future of design.” 

While the update was officially released on December 11, users can now access a free trial of NX in the cloud, which includes the software, sample files and instructions.