NX (software)

Infobox_Software
name = NX


caption = NX screenshot
developer = Siemens PLM Software
latest_release_version = NX 6
latest_release_date = June 30, 2008
operating_sy stem = Unix / Windows / Linux / Mac OS X
genre = CAD software
license = Proprietary
website = [http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/nx/index.shtml Siemens PLM software]

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.Fact|date=August 2008 NX has some presence in the consumer goods design sector.Fact|date=August 2008

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

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 SDRC'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 [http://design.osu.edu/carlson/history/lesson10.html] .

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.

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.

Features

NX is commonly referred to as a 3D PLM software application. The product supports all stages of product development from conceptualization (CAID), to design ( [http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/nx/simulation/index.shtml CAD] ), to analysis ( [http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/nx/simulation/index.shtml CAE] ), to manufacturing ( [http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/nx/machining/index.shtml 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 2008 release of NX, version 6, provides capabilities which apply across all core functional areas and are intended to benefit new as well as advanced and specialized users. [http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/about_us/newsroom/press/press_release.cfm?Component=60352&ComponentTemplate=822 Four key portfolio-wide innovations] include:

Design Flexibility

A synchronous technology combining constraint-driven techniques with direct modeling, is used to provide direct editing in the model creation process. Further flexibility is provided through:;Active digital mock-up:A capability referred to as [http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/campaigns/greater_powers/nx/videos/nx_greater_coordination.shtml "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.

Multiplatform support

NX operates on Linux, Mac OS X, UNIX, and Windows XP and newer.

Functional Strength

Version 6 includes innovations designed to address problems of increasing complexity with regard to design, analysis, simulation, manufacturing and collaboration across disciplines. Areas of innovations include:;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.;MultiCAD / MultiDiscipline Models:The capabilities to maintain a [http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/campaigns/greater_powers/nx/videos/nx_greater_strength.shtml "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.;Product Manufacturing Information:An important aspect of maintaining a multidiscipline model is the ability to create and transmit [http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/Images/nx%20product%20%20mfg%20information%20fs%20W%203_tcm53-4581.pdf| 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:
** PMI driven machining
** 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.

Productivity Enhancements

NX 6 provides a number of re-use enhancements such as scrapbook modeling as well as the ability to re-use multi-CAD data. Key to productivity is the user interface:;Tailorable UI:A tailorable user interface (UI), referred to as [http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/campaigns/greater_powers/nx/videos/nx_your_way.shtml "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. Version 6 introduces user customizable radial pop-ups to reduce mouse travel.

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 [http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/campaigns/breakthrough/index.shtml synchronous technology] driven capability referred to as [http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/campaigns/greater_powers/nx/videos/nx_greater_flexibility.shtml "Design Freedom"] designers can modify geometry without having to understand the history of, or undo, the design tree.

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.

References

*

See also

*Comparison of CAD software

External links

* [http://www.ugs.com/nx6/ Official website]
* [http://www.plmworld.org/museum The Unigraphics Virtual Museum] - an illustrated history of Unigraphics software.
* [http://www.caddigest.com/subjects/unigraphics/unigraphics.htm A list of reviews on Unigraphics software]
* [http://manufacturing.cadalyst.com/manufacturing/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=470085&pageID=1&sk=&date= Cadalyst Labs Review of NX 5: Part 1]