{"id":10944,"date":"2024-12-20T10:43:53","date_gmt":"2024-12-20T15:43:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/?p=10944"},"modified":"2026-03-26T04:40:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T08:40:07","slug":"nx-tips-and-tricks-mechatronics-concept-designer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/nx-tips-and-tricks-mechatronics-concept-designer\/","title":{"rendered":"NX | Tips and Tricks | Mechatronics Concept Designer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Welcome back to the next installment of our Tips and Tricks series for the June 2024 release of NX\u2122 software. In this blog, we&#8217;ll be shining the spotlight on Mechatronics Concept Designer; a tool to easily create and simulate a whole production workflow.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"NX | Tips and Tricks | Getting started with Mechatronics Concept Designer\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QmKVGaxCeh0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/box_assembly-1024x575.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10952\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/box_assembly-1024x575.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/box_assembly-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/box_assembly-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/box_assembly-1536x863.png 1536w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/box_assembly-2048x1151.png 2048w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/box_assembly-395x222.png 395w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/box_assembly-900x506.png 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Throughout this tip and trick blog, we&#8217;ll be focusing on this production workflow; a basic concept for a system to sort boxes based on their size. Without further ado, let&#8217;s dive in.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-background is-style-dots\" style=\"background-color:#00e6e6;color:#00e6e6\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Creating a mechanical concept<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Adding physical behavior to an assembly are the key building blocks to Mechatronics Concept Designer. Adding behaviors will transform a lifeless assembly into a fully operational digital twin of your production line. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rigid Body<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>The first place to start is by ensuring items along our production assembly are Rigid Bodies. Without them, objects that will move through a production assembly will stay static. Let&#8217;s go ahead and apply Rigid Bodies to the boxes in this use case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The feature can be accessed under the Mechanical tab. From there, you&#8217;ll be able to define specific properties for your Rigid Bodies. From here, you&#8217;ll be able to edit the mass of the objects in question, as well as the inertia properties. Additionally, you&#8217;ll also be able to edit the initial translation and rotational velocity of your objects; setting these will let you control whether your objects stay stationary at the start of your simulation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69ff92f08531f&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"300\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on-async--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/rigid_body-150x300.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10958\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/rigid_body-150x300.png 150w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/rigid_body-512x1024.png 512w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/rigid_body-768x1536.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/rigid_body.png 805w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Click to expand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-background is-style-dots\" style=\"background-color:#00e6e6;color:#00e6e6\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Collision Bodies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>At this stage, if we were to run the simulation, instead of the objects staying still, they would fall through the conveyor belt. So the next step is to add Collision Bodies for both the conveyor, and in this case the three boxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Setting up Collision Bodies for the first selection of the conveyor and the three boxes is a little more straightforward. Simply select the <em>Solid Body <\/em>option for each element, click the <em>Box<\/em> option as the <em>Collision Shape<\/em>, and <em>Apply<\/em> the changes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Setting up Collision Bodies for the two sections of the conveyor with holes is slightly different. Instead of selecting the Solid Body option, choose the <em>Face option<\/em>, and then select any faces that the boxes will come into contact with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, the <em>Collision Shape <\/em>needs to be <em>Mesh <\/em>in this instance, otherwise the collision body will not appropriately represent the hole in the animation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Adding motion through transport surfaces<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>If we clicked play on the simulation at this stage, the boxes now rest on the conveyor, but do not move. So the next step is to add transport surfaces to the conveyor belt. These can be accessed from the <em>Sensors and Actuators <\/em>folder in the <em>Physics navigator.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From here, it&#8217;s as simple as altering the properties until you&#8217;re happy. The default option is the <em>Conveyor <\/em>option, so there&#8217;s nothing to change here. Additionally, you&#8217;ll be able to change the speed of your conveyor using the <em>Velocity <\/em>option.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69ff92f086a57&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"139\" height=\"300\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on-async--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/transport_surface-139x300.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10963\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/transport_surface-139x300.png 139w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/transport_surface-473x1024.png 473w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/transport_surface.png 618w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 139px) 100vw, 139px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Click to expand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-background is-style-wide\" style=\"background-color:#00e6e6;color:#00e6e6\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Continue your journey with NX<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s another <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/category\/tips-tricks\/\">Tips and Tricks blog<\/a> complete. We hope you&#8217;ve taken some handy tips from this post on how to use Mechatronics Concept Designer. Be sure to check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/\">NX Design<\/a> blog to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"NX | Tips and Tricks | Getting started with Mechatronics Concept Designer\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QmKVGaxCeh0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/community.sw.siemens.com\/s\/topic\/0TO4O000000MihTWAS\/nx-cad\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Visit the NX Community<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=mhydaVFSXxU&amp;list=PL1m1vu8_quoDVJfmPp3FL9700HGM_LK9P\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Watch the fully NX Tips and tricks playlist on YouTube<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to the next installment of our Tips and Tricks series for the June 2024 release of NX\u2122 software&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":69056,"featured_media":10981,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spanish_translation":"","french_translation":"","german_translation":"","italian_translation":"","polish_translation":"","japanese_translation":"","chinese_translation":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1,81,162,166],"tags":[503,3,6741,501,499,533,4,546],"industry":[],"product":[304,1817],"coauthors":[549],"class_list":["post-10944","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-featured","category-learning-resources","category-tips-tricks","tag-3d-cad","tag-cad","tag-june-2024","tag-nx","tag-nx-cad","tag-nxmakesitreal","tag-product-design","tag-tips-and-tricks","product-nx","product-nx-x"],"featured_image_url":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/Blog_Header_TipsTricks_Mechatronics-Concept-Designer.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10944","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/69056"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10944"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10944\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10985,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10944\/revisions\/10985"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10981"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10944"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10944"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10944"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=10944"},{"taxonomy":"product","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product?post=10944"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=10944"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}