NX System Research Articles

An attempt of CNC machining cycle’s application as a tool of the design feature library elaboration

This paper presents a novel approach to a problem of the design feature library elaboration. As a tool of the design feature library development CNC machining cycles were proposed. Because of the great number of commercially available CNC machine controllers, with different CNC machining cycles definitions, it was necessary to make a decision about a research methodological framework, it is the selected CNC machine controller. Taking into account the criterion of popularity as the research framework the selected group of Sinumerik CNC machine controllers was chosen. Presented in the paper idea of the feature library development is based on an assumption saying that it is possible to find a relationship between a particular CNC machining cycle and the simple design feature or even compound design features. Identified, thanks to this assumption, set of the design features could be the base for elaboration of the design feature library. This solution, it is the feature library next gave opportunity for elaboration of the feature based design modelling module (FBDMM) working in the SIEMENS NX system environment. Hence, the FBDMM module can support both a designer and CNC machine programmer which is possible due to received in the module modelling paradigm. In FBDMM module the removal feature based modelling technique is received.

Automated 3D modeling of working turbine blades

A method of automating geometric construction in the Siemens NX system is considered. In UG/Open GRIP interactive programming language, programs are written for modeling the structural elements of an uncooled working turbine blade. The programs are combined in a user application that creates 3D CAD models 70–90% more quickly than traditional NX tools.

Mapping of the Characteristics of a Drive Functioning in the System of CAD Class Using the Integration of a Virtual Controller with a Virtual Model of a Drive

The paper presents the method of mapping functioning of a 3D model of reciprocating motion drives of a robotic system, which is the final stage of a works transport system, created in the Siemens PLM NX 8.5 CAD/CAE environment. For this purpose, the 3D model of the considered robotized system, prepared for motion simulation in the “Motion Simulation” module of the Siemens NX system. In the elaborated model was defined the suitable components of the system and the joints between them. These components and joints were defined in such a way as it is possible to map functioning of a real drive in a virtual environment. The basis of functioning of such created drive model is information transmitted from a virtual controller basing on the DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange) standard of data exchange. In the adopted communication method between the CAD system and the virtual PLC controller is required to transfer displacement values at individual nodes in such a way as to map functioning of the real system. Therefore in the control program of a virtual controller is stored functioning characteristic of the considered drives system of the reciprocating motion. As the result of conducted work the virtual 3D model, prepared in a system of the CAD/CAE class, was integrated with the virtual controller, taking into account the mapping of functioning characteristic of drives.

Virtual modelling of components of a production system as the tool of lean engineering

Between the most effective techniques of manufacturing management is considered the Lean Engineering. The term “lean engineering” was created by Japanese manufacturers. The high efficiency of this method resulted in a meaningful growth in concern in the philosophy of Lean among European companies, and consequently the use of its European markets. Lean philosophy is an approach to manufacturing to minimize the use of all resources, including time. These are resources that are used in the company for a variety of activities. This implies, first identify and then eliminate activities which does not generate added value in the field of design, manufacturing, supply chain management, and customer relations. The producers of these principles not only employ teams multi-professional employees at all levels of the organization, but also use a more automated machines to produce large quantities of products with a high degree of diversity. Lean Engineering is to use a number of principles and practical guidelines that allow you to reduce costs by eliminating absolute extravagance, and also simplification of all manufacturing processes and maintenance. Nowadays it could be applied the powerful engineering programs to realize the concept of Lean Engineering. They could be described using the term CAD/CAM/CAE. They consist of completely different packages for both the design of elements, as well process design. Their common feature is generally considered with their application area. They are used for computer programs assisting the design, development and manufacturing phases of a manufacturing process. The idea of the presented work is to use the Siemens NX software for aiding the process of Lean Engineering system creating. The investigated system is a robotized workcell. In the NX system are created the components of the designed workcell such as machine tools, as industrial robot, as conveyors and buffers. The system let to functionally link these components to simulate the work process and to introduce the rules of Lean Engineering. The purpose is also to determine the rules of Lean designing in such advanced design and simulation environments.

Analysis of the Hexapod Work Space using integration of a CAD/CAE system and the LabVIEW software

The paper presents the problems related to the integration of a CAD/CAE system with the LabVIEW software. The purpose of the integration is to determine the workspace of a hexapod model basing on a mathematical model describing it motion. In the first stage of the work concerning the integration task the 3D model to simulate movements of a hexapod was elaborated. This phase of the work was done in the “Motion Simulation” module of the CAD/CAE/CAM Siemens NX system. The first step was to define the components of the 3D model in the form of “links”. Individual links were defined according to the nature of the hexapod elements action. In the model prepared for movement simulation were created links corresponding to such elements as: electric actuator, top plate, bottom plate, ball-and-socket joint, toggle joint Phillips. Then were defined the constraints of the “joint” type (e.g.: revolute joint, slider joint, spherical joint) between the created component of the “link” type, so that the computer simulation corresponds to the operation of a real hexapod. The next stage of work included implementing the mathematical model describing the functioning of a hexapod in the LabVIEW software. At this stage, particular attention was paid to determining procedures for integrating the virtual 3D hexapod model with the results of calculations performed in the LabVIEW. The results relate to specific values of the jump of electric actuators depending on the position of the car on the hexapod. The use of integration made it possible to determine the safe operating space of a stationary hexapod taking into consideration the security of a person in the driving simulator designed for the disabled.

Newton’s method based collision avoidance in a CAD environment on ball nut grinding

This article presents a method based on numerical computations for collision avoidance between the toolholder (quill) and workpiece in ball nut grinding in a CAD environment. Besides collision avoidance, the procedure is capable of determining the proper grinding angle with the prescribed safety gap between the toolholder and workpiece. Maple mathematical software is used for the numerical computations with Newton–Raphson, simplified Newton’s method, and built-in Maple fsolve command. The assembly model of the grinding environment was prepared with a Siemens PLM NX system. The interoperation between the assembly model of the CAD system and the mathematical software (parameter transfer and retrieving) was performed by the Maple NX CAD package. The procedures were analyzed for different tool holder and ball nut dimensions, and results demonstrate that it is possible to perform accurate manufacturing parameter specification in an interactive way.

Applied Information Technology in KBE Based Intelligent Design System for Tricone Bits

It is presented the knowledge engineering based design process for tricone bits and the principles of intelligent design systems. Based on Teamcenter, using NX system development software, taking full advantage of the existing design standard, design data, and materials such as design experiences, design criteria, tricone bit models accumulated by industry companies, a knowledge driven intelligent design system for tricone bits has been developed. It is a way of effectively reusing industrial product development knowledge, enhancing effectiveness and quality of product design, and achieving product full life cycle management.