Digitalization is a digital process that ties all phases (ideation, realization and utilization) together through a digital thread that has the intelligence of the products and its lifecycle processes and connects to smart devices which can interpret and react to the information. This digitalized innovation environment is what will provide todays’ and the future manufacturers with sustainable competitive advantage.

Siemens PLM offers a suite of technology solutions to create Model Based Definition (MBD) and to consume it in the downstream processes to support Model Based Manufacturing (MBM). MBD is a complete digital definition of the product within the 3D model. One of the key element that contributes to MBD is PMI or “Product and Manufacturing Information”.  It Conveys information such as geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), 3D annotation (text), surface finish , material specifications etc.  NX PMI has an advanced toolset for creating rich PMI content that enables product development companies to capture and associate this design & manufacturing requirements directly with the 3D model, and share this information with other development applications . This enables the manufacture and inspection of the product without need for traditional 2D drawings.

NX PMI Objectives include

• Capture and communicate design and manufacturing intent
• Streamline the PMI authoring process
• Facilitate and maximize downstream reuse
• Remove the effort and cost of manually producing drawings
• Support MBD and MBM initiatives

The solution capability highlights include

Dimensioning 

• Smart dimensioning commands infer method based on selection
• Dimensions are created in model views based on a defined annotation plane
• Simplify authoring of dimensions by defining Feature Dimensions and Sketch Dimensions as PMI with “Display as PMI”
• NX supports the import and export of semantically rich PMI from JT

Annotation 

• Various types of PMI annotations allow users to specify important manufacturing requirements in the forms of
  • Note, Datum Feature Symbol, Datum Target, Feature Control Frame, Surface Finish, Weld (including Weld Assistant) , Balloon, Custom Symbols

Specialized Notes 

• A variety of specialized PMI notes that allow users to extract or display specific information
• Targeted at specific/specialized uses like
  • Coordinate, General & Specific Notes, Enterprise Identification, Material Specification, Part Identification, Fabrication Labels, Process Specification, URL Note, User Defined , String, Number and Integer Notes

Supplemental Geometry 

• Per 3D Annotation Standards
• Support for PMI Centerlines and Center Marks. Interactive control over extensions
• PMI Regions are used to indicate or designate areas of a model for special purposes
  • Limited application of a tolerance
  • Show the area affected by a datum target
  • Designate a standalone region not referenced by other PMI annotations

Sectioning, Mirroring & WAVE 

• PMI (Lightweight) Section and Legacy PMI Section
  • Options for Single Plane, Parallel Planes and Box Type
  • Can be inherited onto a drawing
  • Crosshatch derived from material
  • Cutting Plane Symbol Support
• Support for Mirror PMI and Model Views & Support for reposition, delete and hide the mirrored PMI objects
• WAVE PMI Linker: Include Body and Topology

Search & Reports 

• PMI Search locates PMI display instances based on specific criteria
  • Specify PMI Type , Define Range ,Designate Output Preference
• PMI Report generates a spreadsheet detailing specific PMI content
• Find PMI Associated To Geometry displays a summary of PMI associated with selected geometry

Security Markings 

• Per 3D Annotation Standards
• PMI Security Markings can be applied and appear in an Information window when the part file is opened
• Markings provide an acknowledgement mechanism before the part is loaded
• Customizable Messages for
  • Government Security Information
  • Company Proprietary Information
  • Export Control

GD&T Validation

• Verification that PMI GD&T on a part is compliant with the GD&T standards (ISO and ASME)
• Syntactic and Semantic checks
  • Validation for FCFs and Datum Feature symbols
• Results are presented in HD3D for improved visual feedback