Use Cases of NX Automation in Aerospace Engineering

Introduction

Aerospace engineering involves complex designs, large assemblies, strict engineering standards, and highly detailed documentation. Engineers often spend significant time performing repetitive CAD tasks that can slow down product development and increase the risk of manual errors.

This is where NX Automation can make a significant difference.

Using technologies such as NX Open, UFUNC, C#, C++, and Python, aerospace companies can automate repetitive engineering workflows, improve design consistency, reduce manual effort, and accelerate product development.

In this blog, we explore the top 10 use cases of NX Automation in Aerospace Engineering.

What Is NX Automation?

NX Automation is the process of using programming languages, APIs, and custom software tools to automate tasks within Siemens NX.

With NX Automation, engineers and developers can create solutions for:

• Part modelling

• Assembly management

• Drawing creation

• Design validation

• BOM generation

• Data extraction

• Batch processing

• File conversion

• Engineering documentation

Instead of performing repetitive operations manually, custom automation tools can execute predefined tasks automatically based on engineering rules and requirements.

Top 10 Use Cases of NX Automation in Aerospace Engineering

1. Automated Aerospace Part Modelling

Aerospace components often contain standardised features and design patterns.

Examples include:

• Brackets

• Fittings

• Mounting components

• Structural parts

• Panels

• Frames

• Connectors

When similar components need to be created repeatedly, NX Automation can significantly reduce modelling time.

A custom automation tool can automatically:

✔ Create standard features
✔ Apply predefined dimensions
✔ Generate holes and patterns
✔ Add fillets and chamfers
✔ Apply design parameters
✔ Create geometry based on user inputs

Instead of manually creating every feature, engineers can enter the required parameters and allow the automation tool to generate the model.

This helps improve modelling speed and design consistency.

2. Automated Feature Creation

Many aerospace components contain repetitive geometric features such as:

• Holes

• Slots

• Cutouts

• Patterns

• Fillets

• Chamfers

• Reference geometry

NX Automation can create these features automatically based on predefined engineering rules.

For example, an automated tool can generate a standard hole pattern based on:

• Hole diameter

• Number of holes

• Spacing requirements

• Component type

• Design standards

This reduces repetitive manual operations and helps engineers create standardised aerospace components more efficiently.

3. Aerospace Assembly Automation

Aerospace assemblies can contain thousands of components, making manual assembly management time-consuming.

NX Automation can help engineers automate tasks such as:

✔ Inserting standard components
✔ Positioning parts
✔ Applying assembly constraints
✔ Replacing components
✔ Updating component references
✔ Validating assembly relationships

For example, a custom NX automation tool can automatically insert standard aerospace components and apply predefined assembly constraints.

This can save significant engineering time when working with large and complex assemblies.

4. Automated Design Configuration

Aerospace products often require multiple design variants based on:

• Aircraft models

• Customer requirements

• Structural configurations

• Weight requirements

• Manufacturing requirements

Creating each design configuration manually can be time-consuming.

NX Automation can generate different design variants based on predefined parameters.

Engineers can enter values such as:

• Length

• Width

• Thickness

• Hole locations

• Component options

The automation tool can then automatically generate the required design configuration.

This makes it easier to create customised aerospace components while maintaining design consistency.

5. Automated Drawing Creation

Engineering drawings are essential for aerospace manufacturing and documentation.

However, creating drawings manually can involve repetitive tasks such as:

• Creating drawing views

• Adding dimensions

• Creating section views

• Adding annotations

• Applying title blocks

• Generating parts lists

NX Automation can help automate these drafting activities.

Automated drawing workflows can:

✔ Create standard drawing views
✔ Apply predefined templates
✔ Add standard annotations
✔ Generate title block information
✔ Extract model data
✔ Create parts lists
✔ Export drawings in required formats

This helps engineering teams create consistent and standardised aerospace documentation.

6. Automated BOM and Parts List Generation

Aerospace assemblies can contain a large number of components.

Manually creating and updating Bills of Materials can result in:

❌ Data entry errors
❌ Missing components
❌ Incorrect quantities
❌ Inconsistent information

NX Automation can automatically extract information such as:

• Part numbers

• Component names

• Quantities

• Material information

• Revision details

This data can then be used to generate accurate BOMs and parts lists.

Automated BOM generation improves data accuracy and reduces the time required for engineering documentation.

7. Automated Design Rule Checking

Aerospace engineering requires strict adherence to design standards and engineering requirements.

NX Automation can be used to develop automated design validation tools.

These tools can check:

✔ Minimum wall thickness
✔ Hole diameter requirements
✔ Feature spacing
✔ Naming conventions
✔ Material information
✔ Design parameters
✔ Engineering standards

If a design does not meet the required criteria, the automation tool can identify the issue and notify the engineer.

This helps detect design problems earlier in the development process.

8. Automated CAD Data Extraction

Aerospace companies often need to extract information from large numbers of CAD models.

Manually collecting this information can be inefficient.

NX Automation can automatically extract:

• Part properties

• Feature information

• Dimensions

• Attributes

• Material details

• Assembly structures

• Component relationships

The extracted data can be used for:

• Engineering reports

• Manufacturing systems

• PLM systems

• ERP systems

• Quality documentation

This helps improve connectivity between CAD systems and other engineering platforms.

9. Batch Processing of NX Files

Aerospace organisations often manage thousands of CAD files.

Performing the same operation manually on every file can consume a significant amount of engineering time.

NX Automation can be used to process multiple files automatically.

Common batch processing tasks include:

✔ Updating attributes
✔ Renaming components
✔ Extracting CAD data
✔ Updating parameters
✔ Validating models
✔ Exporting files
✔ Generating reports

Batch processing allows engineering teams to manage large volumes of CAD data more efficiently.

10. Automated File Export and Data Conversion

Aerospace engineering workflows often require CAD data in multiple formats.

NX Automation can help automate the export of files to formats such as:

• STEP

• IGES

• JT

• Parasolid

• PDF

• DXF

Automated export tools can also apply predefined rules for:

• File naming

• Output locations

• Export settings

• File formats

This reduces repetitive manual file processing and improves data management.

Manual NX Workflow vs Automated NX Workflow

Manual Workflow

An engineer may need to:

1. Open each NX file

2. Check the model

3. Update attributes

4. Extract information

5. Export the file

6. Save the output manually

7. Repeat the process for every file

For a large number of files, this process can take considerable time.

Automated Workflow

An NX automation tool can:

1. Read multiple NX files

2. Validate the models

3. Update required attributes

4. Extract engineering information

5. Export files automatically

6. Generate reports

7. Save the output in predefined locations

This significantly reduces repetitive manual work and improves process consistency.

Technologies Used for NX Automation

Several programming technologies can be used to develop NX automation solutions.

NX Open

NX Open is a powerful API used to customise and automate Siemens NX.

It allows developers to interact with:

• Parts

• Features

• Assemblies

• Drawings

• Attributes

• Expressions

UFUNC

UFUNC provides access to powerful NX functions and is used for advanced customisation and automation requirements.

C#

C# is widely used for developing:

• Custom NX applications

• Engineering utilities

• Automation tools

• User interfaces

• Integration solutions

C++

C++ can be used for advanced NX customisation and high-performance engineering applications.

Python

Python can support:

• CAD scripting

• Data extraction

• File processing

• Workflow automation

Benefits of NX Automation in Aerospace Engineering

Reduce Repetitive Work

Automation reduces the amount of time engineers spend on repetitive CAD operations.

Improve Design Consistency

Predefined automation rules help standardise engineering workflows.

Reduce Manual Errors

Automated processes reduce repetitive data entry and manual operations.

Improve Productivity

Engineers can focus more on complex design and engineering tasks.

Accelerate Product Development

Faster design and documentation workflows can help reduce development time.

Improve Data Accuracy

Automated data extraction and validation improve the quality of engineering information.

Why Aerospace Companies Need NX Automation

Aerospace engineering projects often involve:

• Large product structures

• Complex assemblies

• Multiple design configurations

• Strict engineering standards

• Large amounts of CAD data

• Extensive documentation

As the complexity of aerospace products continues to increase, manual processes become increasingly difficult to scale.

NX Automation provides a way to transform repetitive engineering tasks into intelligent, standardised workflows.

The Future of NX Automation in Aerospace

The future of aerospace engineering is moving towards more connected and intelligent digital engineering workflows.

NX Automation can support emerging technologies and processes such as:

• Model-Based Definition

• Digital Twins

• Generative Design

• AI-assisted Engineering

• PLM Integration

• Automated Design Validation

As aerospace companies continue to adopt digital engineering technologies, CAD automation and NX customisation will become increasingly important.

Conclusion

NX Automation offers significant opportunities for improving aerospace engineering workflows.

From automated part modelling and assembly management to drawing creation, BOM generation, design validation, data extraction, and batch processing, automation can reduce repetitive work and improve engineering productivity.

By using technologies such as NX Open, UFUNC, C#, C++, and Python, organisations can develop custom automation solutions that meet their specific engineering requirements.

The result is a more efficient and standardised engineering workflow with:

✔ Faster design processes
✔ Reduced repetitive work
✔ Improved data accuracy
✔ Better engineering standardisation
✔ Fewer manual errors
✔ Higher productivity

👉 Ready to explore NX Automation?

Connect with Descode Solutions and take the next step towards smarter engineering workflows.

At Descode Solutions, we help engineers and organisations explore the possibilities of NX Automation, NX Customization, and CAD API Development.

Whether you want to automate repetitive NX tasks, develop custom engineering applications, or build your career in NX Automation, the right skills and automation strategy can transform the way engineering teams work.

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