Industry: Electronics
What is Supplyframe DesignLab?
Supplyframe is the leading Design-to-Source platform for the global electronics value chain, offering solutions that interpret billions of signals related to intent, demand, supply, and risk, providing insights throughout the product lifecycle from design to market. In 2021, Siemens AG acquired Supplyframe.
DesignLab at Supplyframe is a physical research and development studio located in Pasadena, California. It focuses on transforming the electronics industry by collaborating with other organizations, such as universities, to develop open-source hardware projects and products with social impact. DesignLab also hosts events, including technical and university workshops.
Design Workflows at Supplyframe DesignLab
DesignLab uses NX CAD and other software from the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio throughout its design process. NX CAD offers tools for multidisciplinary, collaborative design across MCAD and ECAD, which is crucial for the design of products with electronic components at DesignLab.
The design process at DesignLab begins by gathering relevant data to guide decisions, as many of their projects are based on existing research. This might involve considering what types of sensors are needed, power management, user experience, and more. Once this information is gathered, the team starts modeling and iterating the design in NX CAD. After a design is ready, they move on to prototyping.
With NX as a comprehensive CAD/CAM/CAE tool, DesignLab also utilizes NX CAM for prototyping and manufacturing. Their 4,900-square-foot studio is equipped with high-volume Pick and Place machines, CNC mills, and 3D printers, allowing for rapid prototype development throughout the design and iteration process.
NX X: Cloud-Based Licensing for NX CAD
In June 2024, DesignLab adopted NX X, a cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) deployment of NX CAD for product design. NX X includes all the same multidisciplinary design tools as traditional on-premises NX CAD, plus the advantages of a SaaS solution, such as flexibility, security, and scalability. It also includes built-in data management and integration with Teamcenter PLM, which DesignLab leverages for collaboration and data sharing.
We spoke with Giovanni Salinas, Senior Product Development Engineer at DesignLab, about their decision to switch to NX X. When asked what drew DesignLab to adopt NX X, Giovanni said:
“The licensing system, easy! You practically have no license management to worry about. You just install NX X and get to work.”
The Installation Process of NX X at DesignLab
Giovanni highlighted that the installation process of NX X was “frustration-free” and the “easiest application installation by far,” taking no more than 25 to 30 minutes, most of which was spent downloading the installation package. Unlike typical software installations, which require IT team assistance, Giovanni only needed an internet connection. He received an email to download Siemens Software Center, followed the instructions, and the rest was quick, simple, and online.
“It was truly smooth. I’m seriously looking forward to more Siemens applications with an ‘X’ in their name.”
Flexibility of NX X: Desktop and Browser-Based CAD
NX X offers “the best of both worlds,” according to Giovanni. Licensing is managed online by Siemens, but the application itself remains desktop-based, allowing users to leverage their computer’s processing power.
“Other [cloud-based CAD] applications are fully online, which may make installation a breeze, but they come with their own set of challenges.”
Online-only applications are often simplified versions of their desktop counterparts, with reduced functionality and fewer capabilities. NX X, however, provides the same NX CAD features and functionalities, along with the benefits of cloud licensing. Additionally, NX X can be streamed online on any browser-enabled device through the NX X Remote Extension.
