UGS NX

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NX
UGS NX 5 screenshot
NX 5 screenshot
Developed by Siemens PLM Software
Latest release NX 5 / April 16, 2007
Genre CAD software
Website www.siemens.com/ugs

UGS NX is the commercial CAD/CAM/CAE PLM software suite developed by Siemens PLM Software. NX is widely used in the engineering industry, especially in the automotive and aerospace sectors. NX has some presence in the consumer goods design sector.

NX is a parametric solid / surface feature-based modeler. It uses the Parasolid geometric modeling kernel.

Contents

[edit] History

NX was originally called Unigraphics. The software was developed by the McDonnell Douglas' Unigraphics Group. EDS acquired the business in 1991. When EDS acquired Structural Dynamics Research Corporation (SDRC) in 2001, Unigraphics was combined with SRDC's I-DEAS CAD product. The gradual addition of I-DEAS functionality into the Unigraphics code base was the basis for the current NX product line [1].

Additional functionality from SDRC's Imageware styling product was merged into NX to provide reverse engineering capabilities suitable for automotive (Class A) surfacing applications. The styling module of NX is known as Shape Studio.

[edit] NX I-deas

NX I-deas was developed to provide a smooth transition for current users of the old SDRC I-DEAS product. NX I-deas incorporates NX series features while retaining a consistency with the I-DEAS user interface. It is intended to protect investment in, and continuity of user skills and organizational workflows.

[edit] Features

NX 5 Design Freedom
NX 5 Design Freedom

NX is commonly referred to as a 3D PLM software application. The product supports all stages of product development from conceptualization (CAID), to design (CAD), to analysis (CAE), to manufacturing (CAM). NX integrates these product lifecycle stages into an end-to-end process using concurrent engineering workflow, design-in-context and product data management tools that apply across all functional areas.

The 2007 release of NX, version 5, provides capabilities which apply across all core functional areas and are intended to benefit new as well as advanced and specialized users. Six key portfolio-wide innovations include[2]:

[edit] Tailorable UI

A tailorable user interface (UI), referred to as Your Way which allows the interface to be customized to specific tasks, roles, and skill levels. There are also wizards included to help streamline and automate complex processes. For example, the Mold Wizard module addresses the specific requirements of plastic injection applications while the Progressive Die Wizard addresses the specific requirements of die stamping applications.

[edit] Active digital mock-up

A capability referred to as Active Mockup. This feature allows the use of a multi-CAD digital mock-up for visualization and the ability to modify the model within the mock-up.

Exploded view from an assembly in NX 4
Exploded view from an assembly in NX 4

[edit] Design freedom from "intent history"

As discussed in Wikipedia under Using CAD, there is an ongoing conflict between the power of parametric design and the constraints placed on designers arising out of intent-history based systems. Under the capability referred to as Design Freedom designers can modify geometry without having to understand the history of, or undo, the design tree.

[edit] MultiCAD / MultiDiscipline Models

The capabilities to maintain a Multi-CAD / Multi Discipline design environment, to edit geometry directly from within a complex digital mockup and to edit parametric designs independently of the design tree, are achieved through the use of a lightweight model.


[edit] Product Manufacturing Information

An important aspect of maintaining a multidiscipline model is the ability to create and transmit PMI , or Product Manufacturing Information within the CAD model. Historically, PLM solutions have included this capability but ease of use had been low and functionality limited. PLM vendors have been steadily improving their PMI products. The current NX based PMI capability includes:

  • Ease of use/Productivity features
    • Integrated PMI toolbars and Dialogs
    • Notes integrating process information and administrative information (e.g., export control, security)
    • Extended Feature Control Frames
  • Functionality enhancements
    • Improved GD&T functionality
    • Extended Datum Targets
    • Increased “use cases” (e.g., surface finish applying to subportions of a face)
    • Integration with Teamcenter including export of PMI to JT format files.

[edit] Digital Lifecycle Simulation

NX provides a suite of CAE simulation applications, tightly integrated with NX design and managed by Teamcenter. Designers and analysts can work in a multi-discipline environment to perform motion and manufacturability studies, and conduct flow, thermal, vibration and stress analyses.

[edit] Multiplatform support

NX operates on Linux, Mac OS X, UNIX, and Windows (XP and Vista).

[edit] Competitive Positioning

The NX product line includes a family of integrated applications intended to support both the product and process complexity inherent in durable goods industries -- and particularly in automotive and aerospace. Two other companies offer product lines which are directly competitive with NX: Dassault Systems, with its CATIA, DELMIA, and ENOVIA products, and Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC), with its Pro/ENGINEER and Windchill products.

[edit] References

[edit] See also

[edit] External links