Archetypal model / openNX - Change expressions values 1

[Frank2288]

Hi all,

I am trying to design a tool that allows me to automatically modify dimensions of an archetypal CAD model using data obtained by an algorithm (therefore leaving geometric constraints untouched, but changing its size). The ultimate purpose is to use NX to extract data from the CAD model, launch the algorithm, change the CAD dimensions accordingly with the results of the algorithm, update the model, re-extract the data and iterate the whole process until desired.

Please correct me if I am wrong but i think that the best way to realize this is to use NX expressions (i also considered to modify a spreadsheet associated with the model, but i think it's more complicated).
How to build such a system? Is there an example in OPEN that deals with edit of expressions and model update? What functions should I look into?

Thanks again, sorry for trivial questions.

F

 

[TaylorAnderson]

The easiest way to do this would be to use the "Sensitivity Study" tool built into NX. This is a technological cousin of the Optimization tool, but allows you to set up ranges and increment sizes for multiple expressions, and have NX update the model at each step -- extracting and tabulating desired expression values along the way.

Ribbon UI: Tools (tab) --> Utilities (group) --> More (button) --> Sensitivity Study

Older Menus: Analysis --> Optimization and Sensitivity --> Sensitivity Study

Where Optimization attempts to converge on one "optimal" answer, the Sensitivity Study tool is great for investigating an n-dimensional parameter space and extracting useful data across that region.

Of course, large numbers of steps and large numbers of design variables will multiply into very large numbers of updates, so you'll want to design this space carefully. But the tool is there to automate the repetition, when you're ready.

And yes, the data can be easily exported to Excel for further analysis/processing once the updates are complete.

And yes, the tool is designed to fail gracefully on "edge cases" where the model may fall into a non-robust zone. (This is a pretty common use case, actually... using the tool to "find the edges" of a robust parametric space for a template model.)

Does that help?

Taylor Anderson
NX Product Manager, Knowledge Reuse and NX Design
Product Engineering Software
Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc.
(Phoenix, Arizona)

 

[Frank2288]

You are great!!

The sensitivity study is perfect for my application. Now, the next question XD:

- Is it possible to use the results of the deviation gauge tool (e.g. distances between STL and a surface of the model) as target for the sensitivity analysis?

- on a related note, has anyone ever used the deviation gauge tool in nx open? Do you know if it's possible to export the data analysis?


Thanks again.

 

[Frank2288]

Regarding my second question: when i use the deviation gauge tool between an STL and a face of the model, I can visualize the distance of every point of the STL to the face that i selected. I need to have access to those values (ALL) in nx/open. Is there a way to do this?

Thanks

 

[TaylorAnderson]

Frank --

While I know that you can use associative distance measurement features within a sensitivity analysis (and these are pretty smart) I'm not aware of a way to pipe the output of a deviation gauge into expressions for use directly with an interactive Sensitivity Study.

Poking around a bit in the API reference, it looks like Deviation Checking is supported there, including the output data.

[URL unfurl="true"]https://docs.plm.automation.siemens.com/tdoc/nx/10/nx_api/#searchage=1;rpp=10;query=deviation[/url]

Does that help?

Taylor Anderson
NX Product Manager, Knowledge Reuse and NX Design
Product Engineering Software
Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc.
(Phoenix, Arizona)

 

[milesgloriose]

Taylor,

I need as well Sensitivity analysis. I have trouble to find it in NX9: "Analysis --> Optimization and Sensitivity --> Sensitivity Study" the path is good but Optimization & Sensitivity Study is grayed out on my installation.

Does it need a special license? I hope it does not work only in Advanced Simulation...

Thanks,
Francesco

 

[Toost]

On my computer, NX checks out the license "ug_opt_wizard" when i activate the Sensitivity Study.

I have at this stage
the following licenses checked out :
"gateway"
"solid_modeling"
"ug_opt_wizard"



Regards
Tomas

 

[TaylorAnderson]

Francesco and Tomas --

These two related tools (technological "siblings", really) are licensed under the same FlexLM bit, as you've described. These are included in all Mach 2, Mach 3 and Mach 4 bundles, in several customer and supplier bundles, and are available as an "Optimization Wizard" add-on license for a-la-carte configurations as well.

And Francesco... Advanced Simulation is not required.

Does that help?

Taylor Anderson
NX Product Manager, Knowledge Reuse and NX Design
Product Engineering Software
Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc.
(Phoenix, Arizona)