Retain NX Material Library characteristics in STEP export?

[baschuve]

Using NX 8.5.3 native. Is there a current or planned method for NX to retain the solid body assigned Material in an exported STEP 203/214/other? Of most interest is the mass or weight being translated to STEP. It appears that this is not currently possible?

Also, noticed that the density of the NX model is not retained in STEP. This is true whether a Material is assigned or simply a solid body density assigned in NX. When an exported STEP file is then imported or opened in NX, the body density is always .2829, again, this is regardless of the solid body density in the original NX part. The density value in the null or template .prt files have no effect. I reported this finding to GTAC, which is pending their investigation.

Thanks.

 

[markrief]

Have you looked at the Data Transation help?
I'm not sure if this is what you need, but I found these in the STEP help:

Export option - Include Validation Properties

Exports functionality specified in the new proposed geometric validation properties modular extension to the STEP format. The validation information is mass property information for each solid, each component, and total product structure. Mass property information includes volume, area, and center of gravity.



MASSPROP utility

To support data exchange process, NX includes MASSPROP utility in the STEP AP203 and the STEP AP214 kits. You can use the MASSPROP utility to generate report (text file) containing mass property information associated with all the sheet and solid bodies in an NX part. This mass property data compares to the data obtained (independently) from the sending or receiving system.


Mark Rief
NX CAM Customer Success
Siemens PLM Software

 

[baschuve]

Thanks for the reply Mark. I did review the NX doc topic. Unfortunately, the density is not included in the Validation Properties, only volume, area and cg. The MASSPROP utility looks as though in could output the information.. but the customer is asking for all of the data to be included in the STEP file, as well as accurate density assigned to the solid body produced. The goal would be to maintain the assigned material properties (including density) from the NX file to STEP...

Also, GTAC did confirm that during STEP open or import, NX is reading the default density value from "step203ugnullnx85_in.prt or step203ugnullnx85_mm.prt.

I did find some interesting info here:

https://cax-if.org/vendor_info.php?file_id=7&comp_id=0

Of the participants, looks like Theorem Solutions provides material density and the PTC translator provides density and material.. I hope this is eventually on the NX timeline.