Overview of Convergent Modeling, 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing with NX

Convergent Modeling in NX
Facet Bodies: more than just a pretty face now

• Convergent Modeling
  • New in Parasolid kernel 28.1
  • Combines Facet Bodies and Boundary-Rep (b-rep)

• Modeling in the same toolset (NX)
  • Reverse Engineering
  • 3D Printing model prep
  • Generative modeling tools
    • Speeds up design with facet models
  • No translation/conversion/cleanup
    • Introduces the ‘Convergent Body’ type
• Participating Features :
  • Booleans: Unite/Subtract/Intersect
  • Thicken
  • Extract Geometry
  • Link Geometry, Mirror Geometry
  • Pattern Geometry, Pattern Feature, Mirror Feature
  • Scale Body
  • Trim Body, Split Body
  • Trim Sheet
  • Divide Face
  • Extrude
  • Extend Sheet
  • Make Solid (a new command)
  • Offset Surface and Offset Face

STL vs 3MF: RP Format Shifts

• STL: been around for a while and most/all 3D Printers still use it. Requires post-processing in vendor specific software
• 3MF: new format developed by
  • Richer data and smaller file size
    • Materials and meshes
    • ‘Send to Printer’
    • Supports
  • Zipped .XML packet. Win10 at the core
  • Major machine manufacturers and softwares involved
• www.3mf.io

NX Additive Manufacturing

New NX License Type: Additive Manufacturing

NX Additive Manufacturing General Workflow:

1. Have your part(s) already modeled or imported as separate part files
2. Create a New ‘Additive Manufacturing’ part
3. Think Master Model assembly
4. Add the part into the Build Tray
5. Position in Build Tray
6. Right click on the component to add support
7. Right click on the Build Tray to edit machine parameters