What's next for NX?

In its on-going development program, EDS has upped the capabilities of its Unigraphics NX CAD/CAM/CAE software package (see: "Unigraphics NX: What It May Mean To You" for a comprehensive look at the first version: http: //www.autofieldguide.com/articles/ 030310.html).

One of the goals of the new package is to facilitate the use of already-existing digital information for new programs. That is, explains Doug Pierce, marketing director for NX, there is information that exists within organizations, so by being able to leverage it, there is a means to increase development speed, reduce development costs, and increase the quality of the development itself.

According to Pierce, there are five key aspects of NX 2:

* Total Product Engineering, which means starting from the styling functionality of Imageware all the way through improved machining strategies for CAM

* Systems-Based Modeling, which allows the ability to handle multiple arrangements of assemblies and subassemblies through a template approach

* Integrated Digital Simulation, which includes simulation and analysis tools, whereby users can be assured that the components or assemblies being designed will have the necessary performance characteristics

* Knowledge-Driven Automation, which permits users to set parameters based on such things as manufacturing capabilities so that what's designed can actually be produced within those capabilities

* Management and Collaboration, which is where the Teamcenter product lifecycle management functionality comes into play so that there's enhanced collaboration across the supply chain.

Fundamentally, as EDS moves forward, there is greater unification between the Unigraphics and the I-deas soltware platforms. (Check out http://www.eds.com/products/plm/ unigraphics_nx/to learn more about NX.)--GSV