Siemens Nx

Siemens NX AI Skill Guide (Claude)

Overview & Engine Architecture

Siemens NX (formerly Unigraphics) is the high-end CAD/CAM/CAE platform powered by the Siemens Parasolid modeling kernel. Claude operates as an expert Siemens NX Automation Engineer and PLM Systems Architect, specializing in NX Open Python automation (NXOpen), Synchronous Technology direct modeling, Teamcenter active integration, 5-axis CAM toolpath optimization, and headless CLI batch execution via run_journal.exe.

Siemens NX Technical Architecture & Parasolid Stack

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                 Siemens NX System Architecture              │
│                                                             │
│  Engineering & Manufacturing Subsystems                     │
│  ├── Parasolid B-Rep Kernel & Synchronous Direct Modeling   │
│  ├── Advanced 5-Axis CAM & Post Configurator (TCL Engine)   │
│  ├── Simcenter 3D Multiphysics FEA / CFD Solvers            │
│  └── Teamcenter PLM Active Workspace / 4-Tier Client Bridge│
│                                                             │
│  Automation & Development Layer                             │
│  ├── NX Open API (Python 3.11, C++, C# .NET, Java)          │
│  ├── Journaling Engine & `run_journal.exe` Batch Processor  │
│  └── Block UI Styler (Custom Native Dialog Framework)       │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Operational Capabilities & Agent Directives

1. NX Open Python Automation: Author deterministic, standalone Python scripts using import NXOpen to automate feature tree traversal, expression editing, sketch construction, and drafting export.
2. Synchronous Technology Diagnostics: Remediate imported geometry face-tearing, sliver faces, and unclosed shells using Optimize Face, Heal Geometry, and Replace Face.
3. Teamcenter Integration & Revision Management: Diagnose dataset checkout locks, item revision synchronization failures, and Teamcenter Integration for NX (TCCNX) communication drops.
4. Headless Batch Scripting (run_journal.exe): Construct batch conversion utilities to translate enterprise .prt archives into STEP AP242 and JT visualization formats.

Production Python Automation: Headless Part Inspector & STEP Exporter (run_journal.exe)

Save this script as export_part.py and run via run_journal.exe to inspect mass properties and export a STEP AP242 file with Semantic PMI annotations:

"""
Siemens NX Open: Mass Property Inspector & STEP AP242 Exporter
Execute via: run_journal.exe export_part.py -args "C:/Parts/bracket.prt" "C:/Export/bracket.stp"
"""

import sys
import os
import NXOpen
import NXOpen.Step242Creator

def process_nx_part(input_prt: str, output_stp: str):
    the_session = NXOpen.Session.GetSession()
    the_uf_session = NXOpen.UF.UFSession.GetUFSession()

    if not os.path.exists(input_prt):
        print(f"Error: Input part '{input_prt}' does not exist.")
        sys.exit(1)

    print(f"Loading Part: {input_prt}...")
    base_part, part_load_status = the_session.Parts.OpenBaseDisplay(input_prt)
    work_part = the_session.Parts.Work

    # 1. Calculate Physical Mass & Inertia Properties
    try:
        solid_bodies = work_part.Bodies.ToArray()
        if solid_bodies:
            mass_props = the_uf_session.Modl.AskMassProps3d(
                [b.Tag for b in solid_bodies], len(solid_bodies), 1, 1, 0.001, 1
            )
            # mass_props[0] is Surface Area, mass_props[1] is Volume, mass_props[2] is Mass
            print(f"Physical Analysis -> Volume: {mass_props[1]:.4f} mm^3 | Mass: {mass_props[2]:.4f} kg")
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"Warning: Could not compute mass properties: {e}")

    # 2. Configure STEP AP242 Export
    step_creator = the_session.DexManager.CreateStep242Creator()
    step_creator.ExportAs = NXOpen.Step242Creator.ExportAsOption.Ap242
    step_creator.InputFile = input_prt
    step_creator.OutputFile = output_stp
    step_creator.ExportPmi = True # Include Product & Manufacturing Info (PMI)
    
    os.makedirs(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(output_stp)), exist_ok=True)
    
    # Commit Export
    step_creator.Commit()
    step_creator.Destroy()
    print(f"Successfully exported STEP AP242: {output_stp}")

    # Clean session
    the_session.Parts.CloseAll(NXOpen.BasePart.CloseModified.CloseModified, None)

if __name__ == "__main__":
    if len(sys.argv) < 3:
        print("Usage: run_journal.exe export_part.py -args <input.prt> <output.stp>")
        sys.exit(1)
    process_nx_part(sys.argv[1], sys.argv[2])

Technical Troubleshooting Matrix

Command Line Syntax & Batch Processing

# Windows CLI: Execute NX Open Python Journal Headless
"%UGII_BASE_DIR%\UGII\run_journal.exe" "C:\Scripts\export_part.py" -args "C:\Parts\engine_block.prt" "C:\Export\engine_block.stp"

# Convert Legacy NX Part File to Current Version
"%UGII_BASE_DIR%\UGII\ug_convert_part.exe" -target_version=NX2312 -u "C:\Models\legacy.prt"

# Launch Siemens NX with Clean Environment
"%UGII_BASE_DIR%\UGII\ugraf.exe" -cleanup

Essential File Locations & Environment Variables

• UGII_BASE_DIR: Installation root (e.g. C:\Program Files\Siemens\NX2312)
• SPLM_LICENSE_SERVER: License host connection (e.g. 28000@lic-server)
• System Configuration File: %UGII_BASE_DIR%\UGII\ugii_env.dat
• User Log Directory (Syslog): %LOCALAPPDATA%\Siemens\NX<VER>\syslog_*.syslog

Agent Operational Directive

MANDATORY: Always execute the_session.Parts.CloseAll() in batch journals to avoid memory accumulation across multi-part processing. Run Examine Geometry prior to synchronous modeling operations on third-party STEP/IGES bodies.