New NX release – many enhancements to push forward Virtual Engineering deployment
On December 11, 2020, Siemens PLM Software announced a new release of NX. This is the scheduled implementation of the six-monthly feature enhancements.
3D design is a prerequisite for virtual engineering, but it is not yet widely adopted in Japan. However, this latest enhancement may remove some of the obstacles to its implementation.
The following are some of the most important enhancements.
Algorithmic Modeling
For some designs, it is easier to create a model computationally than manually. Algorithmic Modeling is for such designs.
It allows complex product shapes and functions to be saved as templates that can be easily reused in similar design workflows.
This can be useful when you need to create a shape that has a certain pattern but can change in a complicated way using a certain logic.
This may help users who have traditionally been reluctant to go 3D because it takes too much time to create a 3D model. Not only is it easier to create, but it also optimizes the process of easily making changes to the 3D data and quickly reflecting them in other tasks.
Convergent Modeling
Convergent Modeling also has new features.
Convergent Modeling is a technology that can handle B-rep (surfaces represented by mathematical expressions of surfaces) and facet data (surfaces represented as a set of small planes) together in a single environment.
This is one of the technologies that have become particularly important in recent years, as the optimization of overall business processes through digital engineering increasingly requires handling of faceted data, such as 3D scanning and 3D printing.
In Convergent Bodies with Mixed Geometry, these two types can be combined to build a convergent body.
“Replace Face of Mesh” is a new command that allows you to easily replace part of a faceted face with B-rep.
Model Based Definition
Model based definitions are a key solution for the Virtual Engineering realization.
Information about this new capability was already released in November.
This solution includes the ability to capture key characteristics and knowledge using a rule base to automatically create PMI (Product & Manufacturing Information).
The PMI added by the advisor function can also be monitored and validated to ensure that it has the correct information for downstream applications that consume this information directly, such as the manufacturing phase.
This will give you following values
- Removing tedious processes
- Capturing business intelligence
- Insure the PMI is compliant with industry and company standards
Appearance Management
In a virtual engineering environment, everything needs to be defined upstream of the development process, including geometry, performance, and manufacturing.
Appearance is also integrated into this process, with the goal of performing simulations in the early stages.
The newly announced Appearance Management is a new tool that can be used in a variety of industries.
This functionality can be run in Teamcenter or natively in NX, according to the announcement.
PCB exchange
Especially in the high-tech industry, PCB data exchange with electrical design tools is important to establish a virtual engineering environment.
In this area, rigid-flex designs and flat solid extensions have been announced this time.
The ability to create, edit, and collaborate on rigid-flex designs in NX will improve the process of collaboration with other departments and downstream processes. This is an industry first, according to the company.
Mold, Tool, and Die Solutions
The Mold, Tool, and Die solution area of NX integrates the necessary applications, namely CAD and CAE, and leverages automation to speed up the process.
This is now possible with mold cooling analysis.
Forming analysis can also be performed in a single software environment.
In the previous version, we had to switch between CAD and CAE systems, but now everything is in one system, which speeds up the workflow and allows designers to focus more on their work.
NX December release details by Siemens Digital Industries Software
