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The Generate Weight Data option (if turned on) forces NX save the weight data along with other information. Calculated mass saves in the NX parameter (usually MassPropMass or something). Be sure that you’ve assigned the materials on the solids you have in a work part. You could also visualize this parameter in the Assembly Navigator window. It is only needed to turn on the desired column:

NX truncates this value up to 4 decimal places. In some cases users need to see a more precise mass property. Thus I can offer you a small work-around.

As I said before, NX stores this value in the related attribute. The first thing you need is to define which parameter utilized for that meanings. Therefore go to File –> Properties –> Attributes tab and check through the parameters list:

This value is much more precise than the one, shown in the Weight column of the Assembly Navigator. We will use this value to display instead of truncated one.

Right click on the Assembly Navigator header and select Properties. Then proceed to the Columns tab and scroll down to the last option called Attribute:

In the Attribute field type the name of the desired parameter, in my case it called MassPropMass. Done! Now the Assembly Navigator will show the precise mass value.

To open the list of environment variables follow Windows Control Panel –> System –> Advanced System Settings –> Environment Variables.

Check through the list to find these two variables:

UGII_JAVA_HOME

UGII_JVM_LIBRARY_DIR

The first one should refers to the jre folder of your Java installation, for example:

UGII_JAVA_HOME C:\Java\jre1.7.025

While the second one should refers to the bin\server subfolder of Java installation, for example:

UGII_JVM_LIBRARY_DIR C:\Java\jre1.7.025\bin\server

Pay attention to these variables and you will avoid such Java issue.

Using materials of eng-tips.com

• Gateway – is a Base NX Module;
• NX Open Grip Execute – allows you to execute GRIP applications
• NX IGES/DXF/STEP – are the neutral formats translators;
• NX 2D Exchange – 2D translators;
• NX Rapid Prototyping – gives you tools for rapid prototyping;
• NX Assemblies – allows you to use assemblies;
• NX Knowledge Fusion – allows you to execute KBE applications;
• NX CAM Base – a very basic CAM-operations;
• NX CAM Visualize – visualization for CAM operations;
• NX Post Builder – translates CL-program into G-code;
• NX Shop Doc – allows you to use shop documentation, i. e. tool lists, operations list;

feature_modeling is:
Hole
Boss
Pocket
Pad
Emboss
Slot
Groove
Dart
Thread
Instance Geometry
Promote Body
Delete Edge
Shell
Thicken
Scale Body
Wrap Geometry
Edge Blend
Face Blend
Spherical Corner
Chamfer
Draft
Draft Body
Thru Curve
Tube
Synchronous Modelling

nx_freeform_1:
Boundary
Reverse Normal
Trimmed Sheet
Trim and Extend
Untrim
Offset Surface
Bounded Plane
Ruled
Thru Curve Mesh
N Sided Surface
Swept
Variational Sweep

nx_freeform_2:
Global Shaping
Global Deformation
Enlarge
Quilt
Rough Offset
Sheets to Solid Assistant
Soft Blend
Bridge
Through Points
From Poles
From Point Cloud
Rapid Surfacing
Transition
Law Extension
Extension
Silhouette Flange

Using materials from eng-tips.com.

    There are two different versions of NX are available: NX Learning Edition and NX Academic Edition.

    Let’s take a detail look on these editions.

Siemens NX Academic Edition

    NX Academic Edition. NX Academic Edition is available to accredited academic institutions such as universities, technical colleges, trade schools and high schools. The software is intended for classroom training and research projects only. Academic institutions are licensed to install NX on as many computers as needed. NX can include loan licenses for students to use at home for completing assignments and continued learning. Students will be better prepared to enter the job market knowing not just software skills, but having insight into the entire product development process. Your students will be able to develop engineering skills while using advanced technologies including.

Design

• Sophisticated freeform shape modeling, surface continuity, analysis and visualization tools
• Comprehensive 3D design ability including wire-frame, surface, solid and synchronous modeling
• Create rendered images with breakthrough quality and accuracy
• Knowledge capture and automation tools

Simulation

• Linear and nonlinear structural analysis
• Durability/fatigue analysis
• Thermal and flow analysis
• Motion analysis

Manufacturing

• 2 1/2-, 3- and 5-axis milling
• Turning
• Wire EDM
• Feature-based machining
• NC simulation

Siemens NX Student Edition

    NX Learning Edition. It has most of the design features and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) capabilities of the retail version. Watermarks are added to printed and plotted data to prevent the NX Learning Edition from being used for commercial work. In addition File->Export capabilities are blocked.

    NX Learning Edition can output 3D STL files commonly used for rapid prototyping and 3D printing. In addition CAM data is not available for postprocessing, and the displayed output of tool path information has limited precision. Part files created in NX Learning Edition can not be retrieved in the retail version, but can be retrieved in the full academic packages available to education establishments. Students are able to buy it on JourneyEd, Academic Superstore (US and Canada) and Creation Engine, Studica (other countries).

by the materials of Siemens PLM.

    In this lesson you will learn about:

• How to launch CAM module in NX;
• The algorithm of CNC-program development;
• The inheritance of parameters in Operation Navigator;
• How to start a new project and adjust it;
• Create your first CAM project and verify it;

 1. How to launch NX CAM.

    At first you should download an example STEP-file (you’re also can get more information about STEP file format here), which contains training objects. I chose this type of file, because it is easy to import and lightweight, besides it provides good compatibility with all NX releases. It is compressed in .zip archive. Download the file (67 Kb)-download the model.

    I used Siemens NX 9.0.3.4 and Siemens NX 10 while preparing this article.

    Unpack example from the archive. Import the STEP file into NX: click File —> Open, in the type field select .stp files and choose pressForm_cavity.stp.

    Then click File —> Applications —> Manufacturing.

    The Manufacturing Environment menu will appear, click Ok to use default settings, but before make sure cam_general Session Configuration and mill_planar or mill_contour CAM Setup are selected.

    Manufacturing projects in NX have the same filename extension, as the part files – .prt. User interface in NX is designed based on the Roles. User defines the role that fits his needs at most. It is also possible to create a custom role or select a role from the list of all available roles.

    I recommend you to use the Advanced role.

    Let’s look more closely into NX CAM user interface. On the whole, it could be splitted in a few local groups. The main window header shows a name of the current module and a name of opened part.

    Main menu, which was significantly changed in NX 9 looks as following:

     It is splitted up into a few tabs, each of them contains specific features. Frequently use features are located at the Home tab, this will be true in most NX modules.

    The picture shows the most used operations, which are: Create Tool, Create Geometry, Create Operation, Create Program and Create Method. The default CAM-workflow looks as it shown on the next picture:

Siemens NX CAM Manufacturing Workflow

     These steps are only a recommended parts of the manufacturing workflow. Siemens NX fully supports the master model concept, so a CAM project should be separated from the design part being wrapped in the parent assembly. Normally, CNC-programmers are tend to operate with WAVE-link of the master model geometry. It makes CAM-geometry isolated from design part, but leaves the descendant inheritance form master to linked copy. We will see this mechanism in the next lesson.

    All CAM objects can be grouped in the following sections:

    Programs are the objects used to define an operations sequence.

    Geometry objects are those, which define the part and stock geometry, clearance options, MCS (machine coordinate system) and others.

    Methods are defining the machining strategy, include cutting parameters and tolerances.

    Operation Navigator is also contains tools and operatons. You are able to switch between views by select the needed group:

    Pay attention to the inheritance between CAM objects. For the instance, operations inherit the tolerances and cutting strategies from parent methods (if defined). Operations are linked to tools, while tools linked to operations. Part geometry and stock geometry are succeed to MCS, while operations could be succeed to both workpiece and MCS.

    Come back to our project. Click on the Create Tool button at the Home tab. Under the type list select mill_planar. Define End Mill as a tool subtype (see the picture). Type a name of the tool, as it shown below. Click Ok.

    As it follows from the tool name, we will create a milling tool with the diameter of 8 mm and the lower radius of 0.5 mm. In the next window insert the diameter, the lower radius, the tool length and the flute length. The tool geometry preview will be shown in the NX graphic window.

    Also, under the Numbers group define the Tool Number, the Adjust Register and the Cutcom Register. Click Ok.

    Go to Geometry View and double click on the MCS object.

    Under the Clearance Option select Plane and define it, selecting the most upper part surface. This plane will be used to create non-cuting moves of the tool path.

    Double click on the Workpiece object in the Navigator.

    Workpiece uses to determine Part Geometry, Blank Geometry and Check Geometry. All operations should be linked to the workpiece, inasmuch as they are inherit those geometries. Click on the Specify Part button and select the solid body in the Graphic Window. Then click on the Specify Blank button and insert the following parameters:

    The final step – create the operation.

    Click on the Create Operation button on the ribbon menu:

    Under the Type list select mill_contour, Operation Subtype is Cavity Mill.

    Append this operation to the PROGRAM, assign MILL_D8_R.5 milling tool, link it to the Workpiece and select MILL_ROUGH method. Click Ok. In the very bottom of the next window, under the Actions list click on the Generate button.

    The tool path for the operation will be generated:

    Now click on the Verify button.

    In the new window switch to the 3D Dynamic tab, reduce the Animation Speed to 5-7, and click Play. 

    You will be able to see the tool path verification for the current operation in the NX Graphic Window.

Siemens NX In-Process Workpiece

The end of Part 1.

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