- The latest updates to NX and NX X introduce natural language and AI-driven learning through the new Design Copilot NX.
- Siemens adds designer-friendly, CAD-integrated thermal and fluid simulation powered by Simcenter technology, while expanding model-based design approaches into metrology and inspection.
- New immersive product engineering and collaboration features are delivered through a partnership with Sony.
Siemens Digital Industries Software has recently announced the latest updates to its NX™ and NX™ X software from the Designcenter product engineering suite. The updates include immersive engineering for mixed reality design and collaboration, new design-for-manufacturing features, CAD-integrated fluid flow simulation, and the introduction of a new AI copilot for design.
“Our work to bring together our product engineering solutions under the Designcenter brand is moving at an incredible pace,” said Bob Haubrock, senior vice president, Siemens Digital Industries Software. “The latest updates to NX reaffirm that our commitment to not only introducing new AI-driven copilot capabilities and Characteristics led MBD for downstream quality and manufacturing, but to also explore new areas for innovation in our long established and industry leading product engineering toolset.”
Design Copilot NX
Part of the latest update, the new Design Copilot NX uses Siemens’ powerful learning resources and offers an AI-based natural language interface. It helps users—whether beginners or experienced professionals—learn faster and explore new features more easily. By using natural language input and queries, the Copilot allows users to quickly access technical answers, best practices, and documentation.
Immersive Engineering
At CES 2024, Siemens announced plans to bring advanced immersive engineering capabilities through a partnership with Sony and its leading mixed reality headset. These capabilities have now been introduced in the latest NX updates.
In addition to NX Immersive Designer—which allows designers and engineers to create, view, and edit 3D CAD models in virtual or augmented reality—the new updates also introduce NX Immersive Collaborator. This feature lets teams, partners, and stakeholders work together in the same virtual reality space. Collaborative sessions can be launched directly from the NX interface, without the usual setup needed for VR meetings, and include a full set of design review tools to measure, evaluate, and annotate parts or assemblies.
Design for Manufacturing and Extending MBD with Characteristics
The latest updates introduce the new NX Inspector—an industry-first feature that adds model-based characteristics to the digital twin. This extends Model-Based Design (MBD) to support downstream quality and manufacturing processes. Built on the Model-Based Characteristics standard from the Digital Metrology Standards Consortium, NX Inspector lets designers and engineers define manufacturing PMI that can be reused to create inspection and metrology workflows. It also connects with Teamcenter and Teamcenter Quality to use real-time, managed data.
The new Design for Manufacture (DFM) Advisor automates early manufacturability assessments by analyzing part geometry and identifying potential challenges across multiple manufacturing processes (such as drilling, milling, assembly and molding) and providing actionable feedback directly in the interface. Visual reports can be generated and managed in Teamcenter to share with colleagues and partners, while using the insights to drive additional workflows.
Lastly for DFM enhancements the NX Mold Wizard has been extended to not only introduce standard parts that update in real-time with configuration changes, but also now features enhanced cooling channel simulation tools to enable iteration of cooling systems to achieve the best part quality while optimizing cycle time.
Adding Designer-Focused Simulation with Proven Technology
The latest updates also bring in NX™ CFD Designer, a new CAD-integrated simulation tool powered by Siemens’ Simcenter™ FLOEFD technology. CFD Designer allows users to run fluid flow and thermal simulations directly within the NX CAD environment, supporting simulation-driven design decisions. Built for ease of use—even for those without CFD experience—it uses powerful automation to handle tasks like fluid volume detection and meshing. Designers can quickly run what-if studies, test different operating conditions, and compare geometry variations.
Along with CFD Designer, Siemens has also enhanced Performance Predictor, allowing designers and engineers to perform mechanical stress analysis across full assemblies.
“Through our comprehensive Frost Radar analysis of the mechanical computer-aided design (MCAD) tools within the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) industry for 2025, Frost & Sullivan has identified Siemens’ NX software as the clear innovation leader. The Siemens MCAD solutions consistently demonstrate groundbreaking advancements, setting new benchmarks for the entire market. Their unwavering commitment to product innovation, coupled with a deep understanding of manufacturers’ evolving needs, positions Siemens as the premier partner for companies seeking to harness the full power of MCAD technology to drive their business forward,” said Francisco Dell’era, research analyst, Frost & Sullivan.
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