Characteristics Management
Standardized identification and management of model-based quality characteristicd directly in the CAD model
In many companies, design, manufacturing and quality assurance are only partially connected. Test plans are created manually, quality requirements often considered too late and feedback from the production rarely finds the way back into design.
The Closed-Loop-Quality-Process closes these gaps. NX Inspector supports the "Characteristic Digital Thread", and thus the continous digital flow of information on quality-relevant characteristics, from design to quality control.
Global supply chains, growing cost pressure and complex product requirements increase the risk of quality defects and costly recalls. Some of the most common problems are:
Quality requirements are considered too late („Cost of Poor Quality“)
Control plans are based on manual inputs and are prone to errors
Inconsistent interpretation of PMI (Product Manufacturing Information) complicates manufacturing and quality planning
The result: rework, recalls and inefficient information flow between design, manufacturing and quality.
NX Inspector enables a "Shift Left", this means that quality is already taken into account in the digital product model – for more clarity, quality and control along the whole process chain from design and manufacturing to quality assurance.
The NX Inspector is a software solution within Siemens NX that allows users to define and manage model-based quality and manufacturing characteristics directly in the CAD environment. Each PMI (Product Manufacturing Information) object can generate multiple characteristics – such as dimensions, tolerances, surface finishes, or hole and thread specifications – that are consistently organized and standardized.
Because characteristics are directly linked to their corresponding PMI objects, any design changes are automatically updated in the quality requirements in real time. This minimizes errors and rework while ensuring a continuous, standards-compliant flow of information for downstream processes. NX Inspector adheres to international guidelines, such as those of the Digital Metrology Standards Consortium (DMSC), and supports CAD-neutral output formats like PLMXML and QIF to ensure broad interoperability.
The integration with Teamcenter extends the Characteristic Digital Thread into manufacturing and quality assurance. Characteristics can be centrally stored, tracked, and applied in inspection plans, creating a closed loop between design, production, and quality management. With tools such as the Characteristics Navigator, automation capabilities via NX Open, and connectivity to Teamcenter Quality, NX Inspector provides a powerful solution for efficient, standardized, and reliable model-based product development.
What's New in Designcenter NX - June 2025 Premiere
Fully model-based quality requirements: NX Inspector generates and manages semantically enriched quality characteristics directly from Model-Based Definition (MBD) and production manufacturing information (PMIs), in accordance with Digital Metrology Standards Consortium (DMSC) standards: structured, standardized, consistent.
The time for test planning is drastically reduced through automated ballooning and standardized PMI characterization and enables efficient creation of first article inspection (FAI) reports/documentation (e.g. AS9102).
Automatic updates when design changes are made: Changes to PMIs automatically result in updated quality characteristics. Thanks to digital characteristic threads, manual data entry is no longer necessary. Changes and the history of quality information are always correct, up-to-date and audit-proof. In this way, compliance with norms and standards is automatically supported.
Our experts will be happy to show you how NX Inspector can optimize your inspection planning.
Standardized identification and management of model-based quality characteristicd directly in the CAD model
Automatic updating of inspection characteristics in real time when design changes are made
Seamless transfer of characteristics to Teamcenter for inspection planning and quality processes
In safety-critical industries such as aerospace, traceable, and automated inspection planning is essential. NX Inspector shortens inspection cycles, increases data consistency and integrates fully with Siemens PLM systems.
NX How to series
"NX Inspector characterizes product manufacturing information (PMI) to ensure consistent interpretation and consumption of engineering requirements and design data from design to quality and manufacturing. This offering brings together manufacturing, quality management, and metrology, in a way that should bring promising value those looking to fully embrace a model-based enterprise."
Michelle Boucher | VP Research of Engineering Practices | Tech Clarity
Reduce errors, improve traceability, and bring development, manufacturing, and quality together – with NX Inspector as part of your digital quality strategy.
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