NX7.5 re-use library seems a bit lacking 1

[MaynardV]

Hello,

My question pertains to the issue that it seems to me that the re-use library is a bit lacking for a full-feature CAD/CAE program. I've been using Solidworks, which as we know to be a middle-ground CAD program, and have an extensive library of hardware, bearings, fasteners and the like. All that I am able to see that NX has is 1 hex head bolt, and 2 variations of a hex nut. I find it hard to believe this is all that they would supply. I know in SW one can download and unpack thousands of additional library feature parts, and simply specify the location of the folder. It this what needs to be done in NX? Or do I need to find a 3rd party package? I have used tracepartsonline.net for odds and ends, but hate to have to download everything that I may possibly need. If anyone could offer assistance, it would be greatly appreciated, as searching online for solutions have provided me with almost nothing.

Thanks!

-Maynard

 

[JohnRBaker]

Exactly which library did you download? There are several different ones based on which standard you're using. In the libraries I just reviewed, such as ANSI Inch, ANSI Metric, ISO, etc., there are many different style 'bolts', 'screws', 'nuts', 'washers'.

For example, in the case of ANSI Metric, there are 3 different styles of Hex Head 'bolts', 1 Round Head 'bolt', 6 Countersunk 'screws', 7 Hex Head 'screws', 3 Pan Head 'screws', 9 Socket Head 'screws', 11 Hex 'nuts' and 5 'washers'. Looking at the ANSI Inch, ISO and others, you would find approximately the same variety of styles and types.

I've attached a spreadsheet which lists the available items in the various libraries.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[MaynardV]

I really haven't downloaded any libraries, I have downloaded a bearing or two when I was using SW. In SW, right off the bat, there was a plethora of parts to choose from, unlike NX which for me, only offers a very limited selection. I'm not using TC either FYI. The top trees in the selection menus are broken down as; Reuse examples / standard parts / ANSI inch / bolts / hex head. There are other basic parts, but only one of each example. Seems to be like a sample of the real deal, but unsure how to access the "real deal" or if it even exists. Sure, I can download a whole bunch of parts and keep them in a folder in my project folder and search through thousands of parts and different configurations for each part I may need, but seems reasonable to me that there must be a better way.

 

[JohnRBaker]

Have you ever gone to the GTAC support website to download software such as NX updates or new releases? If so, go there and sign-in using your webkey ID and select the 'NX/Unigraphics' item and when the final list of products comes up, near the end you will find a item labled 'Machinery library'. Expand it and you will find all of the various libraries as well as some reference documents and other collateral material as well a copy of the spreadsheet I've already provided you. There is a document which describes how you go about installing the libraries so that are accessible from the Resource Bar tab. Also there's a document which describes the best practice for adding your own items to the reuse libraries so that your own items can be fully integrated into the same reuse scheme whether you are using TeamCenter or not.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[MaynardV]

That's seems to be a good resource, but in all likelihood, I will be unable to gain access. I'm in a position where I'm merely trying the software to see if it can be more beneficial for the type of work I'm doing than SW is. Needless to say, I haven't purchased it, just trying it, as it is much more pricey than SW is, and if all is well, I will purchase it. But until then I may have to find a different path to take. I appreciate all of your help!

 

[JohnRBaker]

If you haven't purchases it, how and where did you acquire a copy of NX?

A bit of advice: next time try avoiding critizing something which you don't have full access to, which it appears is not have case with SW. The reuse libraries are of such size and variety that it's not practical to include all of them, or even one complete sample, with a normal install as it would unnecessarily burden every installation. Besides, with the plethora of standards out there, there is no logic to even attempting to include anything close to a complete library with each install kit. The libraries are there, available for download once a customer has NX installed and they have been assigned their webkey ID.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[MaynardV]

Shortly said, my skills and knowledge extends well into PC hardware and software design and security. Nonetheless, I wasn't criticizing the software package, merely making an observation which I'm sure others have seen themselves, and the lack of information regarding where and how to aquire such data is quite cryptic. But if I do choose to purchase NX, once my SW upgrade terms have ran out, as my copy is aging, I will know where to download the information. Thanks again for all your help!

 

[MaynardV]

John, I wanted to simply add that although software piracy seems rampant now days, not that it was ever my intentions to use the software i have for profit, more or less I don't like buying a car sight unseen, nor do I like purchasing software without the proverbial test drive.

 

[hudson888]

It's not good enough Maynard, you can gain access legally through the right channels by making genuine approaches to the right people. What I find hard to accept is that many people, and let's face it whole countries could be included in this, are taking advantage of something that out competes the honest smaller business like myself.

Best Regards

Hudson

www.jamb.com.au

Nil Desperandum illegitimi non carborundum

 

[BOPdesigner]

I second your complaint regarding the reuse library Maynard. Even after you download the full library from GTAC, it is missing basic fastener types like a flat head phillips or allen machine screws (english). GTAC does provide a document that guides you how to add additional components to the library.

 

[MaynardV]

@Hudson,

I can't say that I fully understand your intentions of your post, I can venture a guess and would agree with you, although it's not contributing to the community that feeds on knowledge. And the fact that you must have missed the post I made where I said I own a legal copy of Solidworks, which is aging, and am looking at different options, NX doesn't hand out free copies of thier software, I don't have time for a demo, and like to see how it runs on my hardware. I agree with you, if your seeking a dishonest man to preach to, I'm not what your looking for.

 

[DaSalo]

Perhaps I'm not looking the exactly the right spot but I just went to the GTAC ftp site to download the Machinery Library and was unable to find it. In the "Product Updates" section I selected "NX/Unigraphics NX" from the drop down menu. I then see a long list of directories beginning with "admin/" and ending with "weldassistant/". I don't see the machinery library in there anywhere. Where did I go wrong here?

Thanks,
Dasalo

 

[JohnRBaker]

It's not an 'update' but rather a 'product'. Therefore you should be looking in the Full Product Download area to find the Machinery Libraries.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[looslib]

MaynardV,
You can obtain a legal trial license of NX by contacting a Siemens salesperson and explain what your needs are.

Even using an illegal license for trial is like taking a car for a joyride. They both let you sample the feel, but in the end, both are illegal!

As to your initial complaint, like John said, don't complain if you haven't taken the time to look at the whole product offering.

As to these libraries, they are provided free by Siemens with a lot of work by people like John Baker and are not meant to be a complete library, but rather a starting point for building your company library. I have been on UG/NX for over 20 years and Pro/E for over 5, you always need to take the OOTB stuff and customize it to your needs. It is like a Indy500 race car. Everyone buys the same basic Dallara chassis, but the fine tuning makes you a winner or a field filler.


"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."

Ben Loosli

 

[hudson888]

John,

Any chance that it could go into the updates area. Some of us don't have fixed IP's which makes your system a pain quite frankly. When it comes to major product releases I can wait for media to be shipped, but in this case I think there is a different fit for the machinery library that might legitimately see it moved.

Best Regards

Hudson

www.jamb.com.au

Nil Desperandum illegitimi non carborundum

 

[JohnRBaker]

You can obtain a legal trial license of NX by contacting a Siemens salesperson and explain what your needs are.

Since you brought it up...

http://am.siemensplmevents.com/?stc...age=2956&elq=d2ebe1d4d6db4ef7be89614a66ba8840

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.