Key task performance
When launching hardware into space, it costs over $30000 per kilogram, and there is almost no chance to fix the problem after the hardware leaves Earth. In order to meet performance standards, scientists and engineers at the Space Research Centre (also known as the "Space Research Centre" or simply the "Centre") at the University of Leicester rely on NX ™ Software and Teamcenter ® The software is designed, simulated, and manufactured based on accurate standards.

The center has been engaged in space research for 50 years, working closely with partners such as NASA and the European Space Agency. The center develops sensors, telescopes, spectrometers, and other scientific instruments, as well as related mechanical structures, electronic equipment, and power generation systems. Its project portfolio includes missions to study Earth and other planets within and outside the solar system, as well as missions to study other stars and galaxies in the universe. The center has a large number of facilities, including testing laboratories and real-time manufacturing. It also engages in interdisciplinary research involving life sciences, imitation technology, art history, and medicine. Employees and students are using NX and Teamcenter from Siemens PLM Software to support the lifecycle of projects, such as the first European Mars rover mission planned for 2018.

Transporting equipment into space involves a massive development plan, "said Dr. John Pye, who manages the Space Research Center. Hardware not only needs to have testable performance, but also must have strict traceability and quality control. All of these need to be achieved within strict cost and schedule constraints

15 years ago, the mechanical design and analysis team began using NX I-deas, which is an early version of the current NX. According to Piyal Samara Ratna, a computer-aided design (CAD) administrator and mechanical engineer at the Space Research Center, the team mainly uses 3D modeling tools to develop simple configurations, and then uses these configurations for thermodynamic and structural testing. Most detailed designs are completed in a two-dimensional environment and manufactured using third-party software or manual tools, "he added. This method leads to duplicate processing of the same information, which increases the risk of errors and results in poor performance

Transforming the process from design to production
After completing the transition from I-deas to NX and introducing Teamcenter, the center immediately transformed its workflow. The NX modeling tool eliminates the need for us to focus on drawing complex 2D drawings. We extensively use parametric modeling techniques and WAVE links to create geometric shapes. When we change the size, the entire assembly will respond, allowing us to quickly adapt to constantly evolving needs. ”

The center runs three 4-axis milling machines and a computer numerical control (CNC) lathe using NX CAM. These devices accept models directly from engineers and managed through Teamcenter. There is also a 3D printer for prototyping and demonstration purposes. We initially used prototype tools as reference models, but now we are using them more for design activities, especially in integration activities where we need to understand tool access and screen viewing is not ideal

Manage the entire design to production cycle through Teamcenter, which is used to collect information such as tool paths generated through the manufacturing process. Employee members can specify the request date and quantity. The manufacturing team adds additional data, including traceability information. The signing team has added a post manufacturing inspection report to provide a detailed explanation of the verification process. The 'status' function is used to protect data and summarize the processes applied, such as whether work is performed internally or outsourced. The entire workflow can be reviewed as needed.

From concept to launch site
NX is very powerful, "said Ivor McDonnell, a high-quality mechanical engineer at the Mercury Imaging X-ray Telescope (MIXS) instrument at the Space Research Center. MIXS is scheduled to be launched in 2015 during the Bepi Colombo Mercury exploration mission of the European Space Agency. McDonnell said, "NX provides us with tools to seamlessly move between different stages of design and manufacturing, and integrate the entire cycle. We actively participated in all aspects of the MIXS project and utilized NX and NX Nastran ® Provide support for all major testing activities, including vibration testing for simulating launch loads. We have found that NX tools can be particularly effective in providing excellent correlation for real design environments

Another project that benefits from using NX and Teamcenter is the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), planned to replace the Hubble Telescope in 2018. The main lens area on this space telescope is six times that of the Hubble telescope's main lens, and it is equipped with a sunshade equivalent to the size of a tennis court,
Used to protect the lens. In this ambitious project, the University of Leicester led an international joint mechanical engineering team that developed one of the four scientific instruments located behind the lens - the Mid Infrared Instrument (MIRI). We found that NX is very useful in viewing all mechanical aspects of instruments and assigned envelopes (including tool access), as well as in designing ground support equipment for transporting instruments to NASA, "commented Jon Sykes, MIRI Chief Mechanical Engineer at the Space Research Center. This is an innovative solution that costs significantly less than typical systems. We successfully tested it by shipping a prototype model to NASA

Improved collaboration shortens the cycle
Using NX and Teamcenter allows us to achieve even greater success, "Samara Ratna said. They jointly create a unified environment where experts from various fields can closely collaborate, interact, and discuss design issues. Teamcenter is a single source of information and control. For example, in Teamcenter, we comprehensively manage the instruments we designed for the Mars rover. We have gained flexibility and protection. Errors do not propagate in the system, so there is no risk that changes made by someone will have a negative impact. Our electronic engineers are able to import complete 3D circuit boards into our models, and the integration of electronic and mechanical design has improved our efficiency and shortened the redesign time. Therefore, the time from concept to final product is greatly shortened.

Samara Ratna continues to introduce the benefits of collaboration: "We collaborate with multiple institutions of varying sizes, all using their own software. NX can handle different data formats, while synchronous modeling technology allows us to operate models almost as if we were operating our own designs. ”

From research and development to implementation
Samara Ratna is pleased to acknowledge the contribution of the central supplier TEAM Engineering. He pointed out that the experts at TEAM Engineering not only provide training and software, but also, as our partners, truly help us make full use of the tools, especially in terms of technology transfer.
Therefore, we are collaborating with the British Heritage to scan historical artifacts in 14th century tombs. We also engage in industry collaborations to assist in the use of additive manufacturing in high-performance engineering applications. ”

Samara Ratna concluded, "NX product development solutions are absolutely important for the work we do and are now an indispensable part of our operations. We are providing NX tools to more students, extending the benefits from engineering environments to project management