Siemens PLM Software Mechatronics Concept Designer

Mechatronics Concept Designer is an integrated machine design based on Siemens PLM Software’s flagship computer-aided design application NX software and works in conjunction with its Teamcenter software. With an easy-to-use, interactive simulation capability claimed to be based on ‘gaming’ technology, it is designed to help reduce development time and improve product quality for the machine design industry.

The development process in the machine tool industry requires experts from several different disciplines, including mechanical, electrical and software design, to develop a complex machine to the specific requirements of each individual customer. Traditional software tools don’t take requirements into account, and the lack of a ‘common language’ has made it difficult for these disciplines to integrate with each other until the end of the design process when changes are more costly, both in time and money. Mechatronics Concept Designer is intended to enable mechanical, electrical and software/automation disciplines to work in parallel and enable the user to develop a list of sensors and actuators that can be easily selected and positioned, laying the foundation for the electrical engineers to create the layout plan.

The product also includes a modelling and simulation capability based on NVIDIA PhysX technology - similar to the software technology used in many of today’s modern video games. This approach to simulation makes it easier to create and interactively validate alternative design concepts. The user is also able to interact with the digital machine model while the simulation is running, providing the ability to test the effects of different inputs in real time.