The latest version of Siemens’ NX software unites the next generation of tools for additive manufacturing, computer numerical control (CNC) machining, robotics and quality inspection to enable the digitalization of part manufacturing within a single, integrated, end-to-end system.
Digitalization connects all of the steps of part manufacturing planning and production with a single source of information, or a digital thread. Implementing a digital strategy can enable part manufacturers of all sizes to take greater advantage of automation, adopt 3D printing for production, and ultimately expand into new market opportunities and reduce time to delivery.
Advanced automation capabilities for computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), including robotic programming, adaptive milling, and tooling design, provide industry-specific technology to help deliver high-quality products to the market in less time. The new NX Machining Line Planner tool, combined with integrated NX CAM software for feature-based machining, provides new capabilities for industries with high-volume production of complicated parts, such as automotive and industrial machinery. The latest version of NX continues to support end-to-end solutions for additive manufacturing, helping manufacturers realize the goal of using 3D printing for industrial production.
New automation enhancements within the latest version of NX provide ways to expand production efficiency and reduce cost. Robotic programming technology provides the ability to automate complete manufacturing cells, including programming robots to perform machining and pick-and-place operations. Adaptive milling and tube milling are new capabilities that provide ways to automate CNC machine programming and accelerate cutting of complex parts. Adaptive milling is a high-speed cutting method that leverages automation within NX to reduce machining cycles by up to 60% while extending tool life. Tube milling streamlines the 5-axis programming process by eliminating preparation and minimizing inputs, using capabilities to create ideal tool paths and minimize errors in machining on the shop floor.
Mold and die manufacturers can automatically and accurately determine tool production costs through seamless integration between NX and the Teamcenter portfolio. Engineers can use NX to automatically recognize features and parameters on the desired part, and provide pertinent information to Teamcenter, which can precisely calculate the tool cost. The newly integrated capabilities of Siemens’ product lifecycle management (PLM) software solutions can enable tool manufacturers to win more orders and increase profit margins through automated costing and accurate quotations.
New to this version, NX Machining Line Planner, combined with integrated NX CAM, enables the feature recognition, distribution, balancing, programming and simulation of operations over multiple setups and machines. For industries with high-volume production of complicated parts with many features, NX Machining Line Planner uses a digital twin of the complete machining line and NX CAM feature-based machining technology to optimize the entire process.
The latest version also expands the new additive manufacturing solution in NX by including the new module, NX AM for HP Multi Jet Fusion, which is certified by HP and powered by Materialise, to prepare print jobs for HP Jet Fusion 4200 3D printers. The NX software module will allow customers to develop and manage parts in a single software environment for Multi Jet Fusion printing solutions, avoid costly and time-consuming data conversions and third-party tools, and improve their overall design-to-finished-part workflow efficiency.
Additionally, Siemens develops applications for additive manufacturing process simulation in Simcenter 3D to help manufacturers industrialize additive manufacturing by printing components the first-time-right. These simulation applications are an integral part within the Siemens’ end-to-end additive manufacturing solution.
Siemens PLM
www.siemens.com/plm
