NX

Training 1

https://vimeo.com/755657955/a17eddc4be

Getting Started

• Switch to Advanced role

• Enable old sketching environment

  • File → Utilities → Early Access Features → Turn on “Use classic solver and UI for sketching”

• Why use NX

  • Used in industry
  • NX and SolidWords are similar in terms of modeling but NX handles large assemblies better than other CAD software
  • Also good at combining everything into one package
  • Siemens Team Center package for sharing files

• Create Model

  • In NX, part and assembly files both end in .prt, model and assembly are not distinct
    • can import and export both at same time
  • Keep units the same for every part (e.g. inches)
  • Save somewhere other than default location (or you won’t get write access)

• Whenever you create a part, there will be a datum- the parts origin

  • Everything is tied to the datum
  • Rotate- middle mouse click
  • Drag- wheel + right click

• NX features

  • Assembly navigator
  • Part Navigator
    • history of everything in the model

• Shorctus

  • w to show coordinate frame
  • f8 for orthogonal lock

Create 3D Geometry- Add a rectangle

• Create Sketch
• Left click to select vector direction

• Create a rectangle using 2 points method
• Double click on a gray dimension (undefine) to bring up info and set the dimension (e.g. length = 4.5 and width = 6)

• The dimensions are now defined and locked

• Center the rectangle by taking 1/2 the length and width dimensions

  • However, the shape will become uncentered if length or width changes, so delete the centering dimensions

• Click c to use constraining dimensions

  • Select horizontal alignment
    • Click “object to constrain”, then select midpoint of vertical side
    • Click “object to constrain to”, then select the part origin
  • Do the same buth with vertical alignment and using a horizontal side
  • Note: In NX, the first point you select will always move to the second selection

• The tick marks show the vertical and horizontal constraints

• You can also use the Rapid Dimensions tool to automatically suggest dimension placement and types

Add circles

• Add a circle
  • Add Geometric Contraint- Vertical Alignment to constain center of circle to parts origin
  • Set distance from origin to 1.25”
  • Double click on radial dimensions and set to 0.8”

Pattern Tools

• Select Pattern Curve tool, Circular layout, select sketch origihn as rotation point
  • Angular Direction- Use Count of 4 and 180 Span Angle
  • You can double click on the beads symbol on the 1st instance to edit the curve

Mirror Tool

• Select Mirror Curve
  • Select all 4 curves
  • Select parts origin Y axis as centerline
    • If we weren’t about the center, we can draw a line down the middle of the rectangle

• Exit the sketch: Click Finish to switch back to Model view

Extrude

• Select the Extrude tool and use Single Curve to select a line
  • the asterisks represents open curve, which means it can be extruded but it will have no thickness
    • This is a sheet body which is not recognized as a solid