Among the latest updates to Siemens NX, the software brings new capabilities to assist environmental impact assessment during the formative stages of product development.
Siemens Digital Industries state that this is the first time that a product engineering solution has delivered EN15804-based sustainability metrics based on accurate 3D design data combined with an artificial intelligence driven material recommendation engine.
The combination should allow users to calculate, evaluate and optimise the impact of design decisions and material selection based on a set of over 30 environmental impacts combined with a complete 3D design integrated sustainability reporting.
The integrated nature of the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio means that the same NX environmental data is available for further reuse downstream and when connected to the wider enterprise.
As an example, the environmental targets and requirements for a design can then be driven from requirements captured in Siemens’ Teamcenter software for PLM and used for validation against requirements and environmental credits.
Within the same barrage of updates, Siemens is introducing a Performance Predictor capability to NX that leverages the power of modern GPU hardware to deliver near real-time simulation results directly within their workhorse design tool.
After applying boundary and loading conditions and materials, parts can be simulated in real time, with results overlaid directly on the 3D model, meaning that NX’s geometry editing tools can be used concurrently to edit, simulate and refine a design in real time.
The same technology can also be used to deliver parametrically driven studies using the Design Space Explorer in NX to define and solve multi-parameter, goal-based optimisation studies. Additionally, once defined, this simulation data can be repurposed and built-on in Simcenter for more advanced simulation as a project progresses.
The Molded Part Designer capability now delivered in NX provides users with the ability to create, manage and validate their molded part design features (such as bosses, stand-offs, snap clips, lips/grooves) in the context of their 3D design data within the native NX environment.
Whether developed from best practices as a Feature Template or imported from a third-party supplier, NX Molded Part Designer will validate these features, perform a ‘mouldability’ analysis and present the results in visual dashboards where design feasibility and design options can be evaluated in the context of multiple scenarios.
Material considerations can also be considered – especially helpful when used in conjunction with the Sustainability Impact Analysis capabilities to ensure that the material not only meets the functional and manufacturability requirements, but also satisfies environmental requirements.
Finally, a standardisation of tooling used in CNC manufacturing operations can be found in the new Cloud Tool Manager within NX CAM. The capabilities use modern, web-based technology to centralise and manage tools and holders across an organisation.
Cloud Tool Manager also supports the import of tool data directly from tool vendors’ catalogs, minimising manual input, accelerating NC programming, and enabling manufacturers to take advantage of the latest tooling advances to handle increasing part complexity, tighter tolerances and new materials.
