With the latest release, a new base tier has been introduced: NX X Manufacturing Essentials. You can view and interact with 3D part models and manufacturing data directly within the NX X Manufacturing environment—making it a cost-effective way to get started.

NX X Manufacturing Essentials includes:

• Built-in data management
• Manufacturing visualization
• Postprocessing and shop documentation: 
   

Built-in data management

Managing complex CAM data can be challenging, especially when multiple design parts, machining operations, and stakeholders are involved. That is why the latest release of NX X Manufacturing also introduces built-in data management as a major feature, delivering essential product data management capabilities for users. NX X Manufacturing Built-in Data Management (BIDM) is built to handle the complexity of modern manufacturing while keeping your data accurate, connected, and accessible.
 

App Hub

App Hub, a cloud-based marketplace for modular and third-party applications, is fully integrated into the CAM environment and accessible through the CAM Applications ribbon bar, allowing users to browse, download, and launch apps without leaving NX or opening a browser—ensuring a smooth, single-workspace experience.

Check Tool Path for Machine Collisions

Machine-powered programming now delivers both visual verification and automated collision checking, ensuring safer, more efficient machining processes. The Display Tool in Machine feature provides real-time visual previews of machine state during programming.
 

Display Machine Axis values during CAM Programming

Real-time feedback shows you exactly what is happening with your mill-turn scenarios. Make decisions faster, validate your work instantly, and let NX predict and prevent issues before they happen.
 

Graphical Tool Interaction

Tool commissioning process has been simplified with the introduction of direct graphical tool interaction in NX. Instead of navigating complex lists in Operation Navigator or Machine Setup Configurator, simply click on visible tools to display names, delete, or relocate them.

 

Tool Holder Support

Siemens has upgraded tool holder management in the latest NX CAM to make it clearer and easier to use. Instead of the old _DEVICE or _HEAD labels that were not very specific, you will now see a straightforward TOOL_HOLDER classification for your changeable heads, turn tool holders, and drill holders.

 

Facing Spiral

Spiral face milling gets a powerful upgrade in the latest NX CAM. With real-time visual feedback, you can instantly see how parameter adjustments affect your toolpath – from overhang to floor thickness and start points, ensuring error-free programming.

2D Wall Milling

The new 2D Wall Profiling is all about speed and simplicity. Siemens has cleaned up the interface to show you just what you need – no more digging through complex menus. As you adjust your settings, you will see your toolpath update right away on screen.

2D Face Mill Midpass – Support Multiple Faces

If you were spending time creating separate operations for each face while face milling, that is no longer necessary. Face Mill Mid-Pass now handles multiple faces in a single operation – just select all the faces you need and organize them exactly how you want.

Facing Zig Zag – Contain path to specified machining surface

Siemens has made toolpath containment a lot smarter, especially for those tricky castings and irregular stock pieces. Here is the deal: NX now only cuts where you actually have material above your machining surface – not just anywhere it spots extra material. In the past, if NX found any excess material within your cutting height, it would create a toolpath there, even if it were nowhere near where you wanted to machine. Now it is much more focused – if there’s material off to the side or not connected to your machining surface, NX just ignores it.

No-Build Zones

One of the key enhancements is the new No-Build Zones feature, which helps avoid print issues by letting you define areas on the build tray where parts should not be placed. Whether it is zones with sensors, fixtures, or regions known for poor print quality—you can now block them off entirely.

Slice Area Distribution Checker

Now you can detect build problems early with the new Slice Area Distribution Checker. It analyzes how the cross-sectional area changes layer by layer across your parts or entire build tray – identifying those big variations that could lead to thermal stress or defects.

Build Processor for Farsoon

NX and Farsoon have joined forces to streamline your additive workflow. Using Siemens’ Build Processor Server, you can now generate native .FAR files that work seamlessly with Farsoon’s Makestar software for both polymer and metal systems. You will get access to Farsoon’s proven build strategy files, making setup straightforward and results more reliable. No more extra steps or complicated workarounds – just a smooth path from design to print.

Freeform Thinwall Offsets

Freeform Thinwall Offsets eliminates tedious manual programming for Thinwall parts with multiple beads. No more manual offsetting surfaces, duplicating operations, or dealing with disconnected toolpaths.

Deposition Length per Layer

Material traceability has been enhanced to show you exactly how much material is being deposited across layers, regions, and patterns. You will know precisely what to expect before you start printing. Siemes has made it easier to manage your spools and adjust process parameters based on actual material usage data. And there’s good news if you are working with older files – just recalculate the cutterpath to access this new data, no redesign needed.

Build Styles with Length

Using fixed parameters in Build Styles restricted control over complex toolpaths and part quality. With the latest update, you can customize process parameters based on toolpath segment length, ensuring consistent, reliable, and high-quality prints every time.

New Curve Creation functionality for interaction and feedback
The latest NX release introduces powerful new Curve Creation functions within NX Sketch that deliver enhanced usability and feedback. At the core of this update is a modern, intuitive UI for creating Sketch curves—including a pencil cursor that indicates “Create Curve Mode” and a dynamic handle that follows cursor movement. An intuitive color-coding system conveys corresponding functionality:

• Red indicates no snapping
• Yellow signals point-on-curve snapping
• Green confirms coincident snapping

Updated and more intuitive user interface interaction

Enhanced functionality for Curve Creation now supports both traditional and modern interaction methods, offering legacy MB1 click behavior alongside new MB1 press-and-drag capabilities. Direction locking has been improved with the ability to trigger this feature through MB2 when previewing snap conditions, or by pausing the cursor for automatic direction lock. You can also unlock directions using either MB2 or a simple shake gesture.

Create Profiles using the Line and Arc commands

In this most recent version of NX, you can now create Profiles seamlessly using Line and Arc commands, with the notable addition of MB3 functionality. You can activate Chaining to create profiles and switch between Lines and Arcs using MB3—eliminating the need to access the dialog box. Both tangent and perpendicular snapping to preceding curves in the chain is also supported, ensuring precise and connected profile creation.

New Line Creation methods provide flexibility

In response to customer feedback, NX’s latest release introduces valuable new curve creation methods that enhance design flexibility. The update features two highly requested functions: Line from Mid-point and Rectangle from Center. The Line from Mid-point capability introduces a new approach to line creation where the initial point serves as the midpoint, allowing the line to extend bidirectionally with the same core functionality as the standard Line command. It is worth noting here that Chaining, Relative Angle, and Change to Arc features are not supported using this method.

Axial Pattern enables support for cylindrical and conical shaped parts

The Axial Pattern capability of NX supports workflows that require patterns along cylindrical or conical faces. This innovative feature enables users to combine cylindrical and linear patterns in a single operation, significantly streamlining workflows for components with circular and axial repeated elements.