News
18.06.26
Siemens NX meets Altair SimSolid: New integration options in the CAE workflow
The integration of CAD and CAE is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for competitive product development. Siemens NX and Altair SimSolid form a powerful combination: NX, as a leading CAD platform, is paired with SimSolid, which enables structural analysis without time-consuming meshing. This combination is transforming the way designers and simulation engineers work together. d.u.h.Group supports you throughout this integration process, from planning right through to optimal utilisation – and highlights why this partnership is becoming increasingly important right now.
Why the Siemens-Altair partnership is exciting
Traditionally, CAD and simulation have operated in separate spheres. Design engineers created models in NX, after which simulations had to be painstakingly prepared. This resulted in meshing, simplifications and long computation times. SimSolid fundamentally changes this workflow. The software analyses CAD geometries directly – without the need for conventional meshing. This eliminates hours of preparation.
For companies, this means validation takes place more quickly. Design engineers can check within minutes whether a design works. This is not only more efficient – it also democratises the process. Decisions are no longer made solely by specialists with in-depth FEM knowledge; instead, the entire development team benefits from rapid feedback.
d.u.h.Group sees enormous potential in this combination. As an authorised Siemens and Altair partner, we work with both tools on a daily basis. The question is no longer whether you should integrate them – but how you can make the most of them.
SimSolid in NX – technical capabilities
The integration begins with SimSolid working directly on NX models. No data transformation, no data clashes, no loss of geometry. You open an NX part, launch SimSolid, and the analysis can begin. Loads are applied directly to features or surfaces. Boundary conditions are derived from the geometry itself.
The system also handles complex geometries with ease. Highly detailed 3D models with small features, bores and grooves – SimSolid analyses them without simplification. Behind the scenes, the software uses intelligent approximation methods to generate a mathematical model from the geometry. The result: precise findings in seconds rather than hours.
Particularly useful for iterative processes is the ability to quickly vary parameters. Change wall thicknesses, swap materials, adjust loads – and see the effects immediately. That is real-time design exploration. d.u.h.Group supports your teams in systematically utilising these capabilities and embedding them into their development processes.
Benefits for designers and developers
The first and most immediate benefit: faster feedback loops. Instead of waiting for simulation results, designers can work in parallel and check within minutes whether a design is realistic. This significantly reduces time to market.
The second benefit lies in collaboration. When simulation no longer requires specialised prior knowledge, designers can carry out their own rapid analyses. This eliminates the need for coordination processes and makes teams more independent. At the same time, simulation engineers can focus on more complex issues – CFD, NVH, and multiphysics analyses – which do indeed require specialist expertise.
A third aspect is economic: with less time spent on preparation and calculation, costs are reduced. Fewer iterations also mean lower resource consumption. This is not only financially attractive but also sustainable.
Practical applications
In the automotive industry, suppliers use this combination to validate mountings and structural components. A designer models a component in NX, launches SimSolid, and checks within minutes whether stresses or deformations are within acceptable limits. Several variants can thus be run through quickly.
In mechanical engineering, the application is similar: load-bearing components, frame structures, interfaces – wherever rapid strength assessment is valuable. Manufacturers of medical technology products value the ability to optimise designs iteratively whilst also taking complex geometries into account.
Aerospace companies, in turn, use SimSolid as a preliminary step to more detailed FEM analyses. Concepts are evaluated quickly, and promising approaches are then subjected to traditional simulations. This saves a huge amount of time during the concept phase.
d.u.h.Group supports companies through such implementations. We support you in identifying the right use cases, training teams and establishing processes that integrate simulation into the product development process right from the start.
Next steps to help you move forward
If you are already using Siemens NX and would like to expand your simulation capabilities, SimSolid is worth taking a closer look at. This combination has the potential to significantly shorten your development cycles. d.u.h.Group can help you carry out a thorough assessment – from requirements analysis and feasibility studies right through to training and optimisation. Contact us to find out how this integration can create real added value in your specific environment.
Topics
Technologies
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