The article "Lifesaving drones design using CAD software" (Siemens, 2019) presents and elaborates on Siemens' NX CAD software and its capabilities through its user, Zipline, an autonomous on-demand delivery system company in Silicon Valley (Zipline, 2022). Zipline is featured in the article as it is the organisation that utilizes the software. Siemens introduces their NX CAD software as a reliable and efficient solution that aims to manufacture quality product design concepts in a more time-efficient approach. The NX software is equipped with a variety of one-of-a-kind functions, such as identifying critical elements in prototype designs and selecting the appropriate material for fabrication (Siemens, 2019). The software also has a function known as NX journal. The NX journal simply allows companies the automation of standard routines. One example of this would be the testing of product designs to evaluate the performance of the design in a virtual environment, with a wide range of conditions available to be selected. Companies can save production and testing costs by testing products in a virtual simulation (Siemens, 2019). In addition, the NX software possesses a feature known as a shared workspace, which makes it possible for individuals from various departments to work together on team projects. Zipline's overall design process time has been cut down, and the company's overall productivity and efficiency have been improved due to the numerous capabilities of Siemens' NX CAD software. This has provided the company with a competitive advantage over its other competitors.* The NX Journal and shared workspace features of the NX CAD software make it particularly well suited for usage in businesses whose primary focus is on design.
One of the features that make the NX CAD software appropriate for use in companies is referred to as the NX Journal feature. Through NX Journal, interactive sessions can be recorded, allowing for subsequent modification and playback. Due to this feature, it is now much simpler to automate routine activities (Siemens, n.d.). The NX Journal does this by creating a scripted file from an interactive session by making use of the programming language Visual Basic.NET. This file will then be executed again in the future to do the tasks again (Siemens, n.d.). These sessions can be easily developed and modified into a personalized software by utilizing basic programming methods and user interface elements. The utilization of the NX software has made it possible for Zipline to generate a bottom-up bill of materials that is fully adjustable and gives a comprehensive mass build-up (Siemens, 2019). This has contributed to the advancement of the drone designs manufactured at Zipline. As a result, the NX Journal's ability to create tailored sessions will lead to an enhancement in the company's productivity.
In addition to that, users of the NX CAD software have the ability to work together on shared workspaces. This makes it possible for designers working in several departments to work together and share their work (Siemens, 2019). With the help of NX's shared workspace, Zipline was able to bring people from electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, and aerospace engineering to work on a project together (Siemens, 2019). Due to this, it is much easier and less tedious to ensure that everyone is still on the same page and to steer clear of errors. The fact that designers are able to view what the other designers are working on also contributes to the overall pace of the design process. Working on projects together in this manner and ensuring that everyone is on the same page is a highly effective way for collaborative projects. Since the workspace is shared, it is also simple to monitor revisions and determine who was responsible for making which alterations. NX CAD software's shared workspace feature is an excellent platform for collaborative endeavors.
On the other hand, while two key features make NX CAD well-suited for businesses, the NX CAD software is rather expensive. The most basic cost for the NX CAD software is USD 3,444 per year, and this price only comprises solid molding of components, assembly modeling, sheet metal design, freeform modeling, and convergent modeling (All3DP, 2022). NX Advance Designer, NX Mold Designer, NX Scan to Part, and NX Drafting & Layout are some of the add-on features that can be included in the NX CAD software package, which may bring the total price of the software up to USD 40,000 (All3DP, 2022). As a result, businesses operating on a limited budget could find the NX CAD software to be impractical.
In conclusion, the NX CAD software that Siemens developed offers several exceptional attributes that may assist businesses in reducing the amount of time and money spent on the process of product development. However, the cost of NX CAD software is significantly more than the cost of other alternate CAD software, which means that companies who operate on a limited budget should not think twice about buying it.
References
All3DP. (2022, August 11). The best CAD Software for professionals in 2022. All3PD pro. https://all3dp.com/1/best-cad-software/
NX Journaling. (2022). Engineer meet NX Journaling. https://www.nxjournaling.com/content/engineer-meet-nx-journaling
NXJournaling. (2012, March 2). Beginning journaling using NX Journal. https://nxjournaling.com/content/beginning-journaling-using-nx-journal
Siemens. (2019, March). Lifesaving drones designed with CAD software. https://new.siemens.com/global/en/company/stories/industry/lifesaving-drones-designed-with-cad-software.html
Siemens. (n.d.). NX programming and customization. https://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_gb/Images/nx%20programming%20and%20customization%20fs%20W%203_tcm642-4564.pdf
Zipline. (2022). Company. https://www.flyzipline.com/company
Thank you for this fine revision, Ashley.
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