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How do you create world-class products that seamlessly blend form, function, and user experience? What role do experience-driven design, sustainability, and digital twin technology play in shaping modern product design? In this episode of the Next Generation Design Podcast, host Greg Arnot sits down with Joe Moak, Founder and Chief Engineer at Maestro Product Design and Senior Product Architect at Meta. Together, they explore the intricate world of experience-driven product design, the evolution of engineering tools, and the balance between innovation and manufacturability. Joe shares his journey from a curious young engineer inspired by a Sony Handycam to leading groundbreaking design projects at Apple and beyond. He discusses how Maestro helps clients across industries—from consumer products to medical devices—achieve high-quality, high-volume production while staying true to their design vision. They also dive deep into the power of Siemens NX, the role of digital twins in product development, and how new technologies like immersive design are revolutionizing the way engineers approach problem-solving. Whether you're a seasoned engineer, a product designer, or just fascinated by the future of design and manufacturing, this episode is packed with insights that will expand your perspective on the next era of engineering. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: What is Maestro Product Design, and how does it approach engineering? (1:30) The balance between design vision and manufacturability (5:40) How Joe was introduced to CAD and NX  (8:15) Advice for new CAD learners  (8:50) The experience-driven design process at Maestro Product Design (10:35)  The benefits of leveraging NX CAD at Maestro (12:55) How will industrial design, product development, and sustainability evolve? (20:10) Trends in the evolution of industrial design and product development  (24:10) Advice for aspiring engineers and startup founders (25:40) Connect with Greg Arnot LinkedIn X Connect with Joe Moak LinkedIn Website

Prioritizing sustainability is crucial to the future of our planet. For Siemens Digital industries, a core element of that strategy is to empower people from within the company to think about sustainability as a part of their everyday work, whether they're working in a procurement department or designing the next release of software. Join me, Greg Arnot,  on this episode of Next Generation Design. Today, I welcome Eryn Devola, the Head of Sustainability for Siemens Digital Industries to talk to us about the various sustainability initiatives underway. In this episode, you will learn about why we as consumers should care about sustainability, collective intelligence, and why the concept of customer zero is so important.  What You’ll Learn in this Episode: The shifting trends in sustainability (04:36) What Siemens is doing to help their customers develop more sustainable products (08:28) How regulations affect Siemens customer sustainability, goals, and strategy (14:22) Siemens’ strategy to  ensure sustainability is a focus in academic engineering education (15:41) How the digital twin can help companies meet sustainability requirements (17:06) Connect with Eryn Devola: LinkedIn  Connect with Greg Arnot:  LinkedIn

How can sustainability become an enabler rather than a burden? What role does digital transformation, lifecycle management, and environmental data play in modern product design? In this episode of the Next Generation Design Podcast, host Greg Arnot speaks with Lucas Dann, Mechanical Engineer & Managing Director at Nexpirit, and Lennart Gorholt, Senior Project Manager at Phoenix Contact Group. Together, they explore how sustainability can be seamlessly integrated into the design process, how companies can leverage Siemens’ NX and Teamcenter to track and optimize environmental footprints, and why waiting for "perfect data" is no longer an excuse to delay action. Lucas and Lennart share insights into how digital tools empower engineers to measure sustainability impacts early in product design, how Phoenix Contact developed an automated system for CO₂ footprint calculations, and the real-world impact of shifting sustainability efforts "left" in the design cycle. Whether you're an engineer, product designer, or business leader, this episode will change how you think about sustainability in the context of digital design and lifecycle management. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: What Nexpirit does and how it integrates sustainability into PLM (07:00) How Phoenix Contact balances sustainability, cost, and technical requirements (11:25) How to integrate product design with sustainability (14:00)  The value of NX Sustainability Impact Analysis for product design (15:15) How Nexpirit was involved in the development of the NX Sustainability Impact Analysis product (21:05) How does Phoenix Contact handle the calculation of environmental product declarations? (26:10) Future Technologies in sustainable development (30:55) How Phoenix Contact empowers employees to make sustainability a daily priority (37:25) Practical steps for startups and small businesses to integrate sustainability into product design (41:55) Connect with Greg Arnot LinkedIn X Connect with Lucas Dann LinkedIn Website Connect with Lennart Gorholt Website

Building information modeling—or BIM—is a collaborative process that is changing the way construction projects are planned, built, and operated. Within the commercial real estate industry, it creates the perfect foundation for building a Digital Twin. Join me, Greg Arnot, your new host of Siemens Next Generation Design. Today, I welcome Thomas Reimann, Innovation Technology and Sustainability Expert at Siemens Real Estate and Derek England, NX Product Manager at Siemens Digital Industries Software to discuss integrating the BIM model with shop floor layout.  In this episode, you will learn more about the power of collaboration with BIM, how Siemens Commercial Real Estate incorporates Digital Twin technology, and what we can look forward to seeing in the future with regards to integrating virtual reality into the BIM workflow. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: How Siemens Commercial Real Estate utilizes BIM (03:44) An overview of the BIM and shop floor design and collaboration workflow (06:10) The challenges that have arisen connecting BIM and mechanical CAD (07:25) What has been learned from the SRE collaboration (22:14) Siemens’ plans to improve NX for BIM collaboration (23:14) Connect with Derek England: LinkedIn Connect with Thomas Reimann: LinkedIn Connect with Greg Arnot:  LinkedIn

How do you design a rocket capable of reaching the moon? What role do AI and sustainability play in shaping the future of aerospace?  In this episode of the Next Generation Design Podcast, host Greg Arnot interviews Morgan Feanny and Drew Summers, two engineers from Firefly Aerospace, to explore the exciting world of rocket design and space transportation. Morgan and Drew from Firefly Aerospace take us behind the scenes of their design process—from whiteboard sketches to fully engineered rockets. Learn how they leverage advanced tools like Siemens’ NX and Teamcenter to iterate quickly and bring complex structures to life.  They also reveal their thoughts on the role of AI in aerospace engineering, the significance of sustainability in rocket development, and the push for reusable rockets to lower costs and minimize environmental impact. The engineers also share insights on the future of space travel, the challenges of scaling rocket designs, and how the private space sector is driving a new era of exploration. Whether you're an aerospace enthusiast or curious about the intersection of design and technology, this episode is packed with insights that will fuel your imagination about the next frontier. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: What is Firefly Aerospace, and what do they do? (1:05) Using CAD software and Siemens NX in aerospace design (6:50) What are the challenges engineers face daily in the design process at Firefly Aerospace? (11:15) The future of sustainability in aerospace design and engineering (26:35) The future role of the industrial metaverse and immersive engineering in rocket design (34:15) How does Firefly Aerospace use AI in the design process (38:40) What does the future of design look like? (43:35) Connect with Greg Arnot LinkedIn X Connect with Morgan Feanny LinkedIn Website Connect with Drew Summers LinkedIn Website

AERALIS is an innovator in the military jet market working toward developing the world's first modular military aircraft system. With one common core fuselage in combination with different wing, engine, power plant pod, empennage, and cockpit configurations, an AERALIS aircraft is able to fly different missions and have different performance characteristics with a single system. Join me, Greg Arnot  on this episode of Next Generation Design. Today, I welcome two AERALIS engineers to the show: Charlie Jones, Digital Lead and Digital Program Manager and Callum Watson, Lead PLM and Design Tools Engineer. In this episode, you will learn more about how the aerospace industry is growing and evolving at an incredible rate, how AERALIS implements its AERSIDE philosophy, and the “secret sauce” for AERALIS when it comes to overcoming design challenges.  What You’ll Learn in this Episode: The importance and usefulness of the Digital Thread (06:43) The advantages of Model Based System Engineering (09:50) How AERALIS utilizes Siemens digital tools (12:46) A breakdown of the design process at AERALIS (17:07) Some of the design challenges currently facing the aerospace industry (18:53) Connect with Charlie Jones: LinkedIn  Connect with Callum Watson: LinkedIn Connect with Greg Arnot:  LinkedIn

Rensselaer Motorsport is an engineering club at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York made up of a group of dedicated students who attend weekly meetings to help engineer, conceive, design, and fabricate formula-style cars.  Join me, Greg Arnot,  on this episode of Next Generation Design. Today, I welcome Elliot Wilk and Levi Hlavac, two dual-major aerospace and mechanical engineering students at RPI that are part of Rensselaer Motorsport. In this episode, you will learn how members of Rensselaer Motorsport manage a balance between their coursework and the demands of the club, why CAD is such an incredibly important tool for them, and how NX aids in their complex design process.   What You’ll Learn in this Episode: The challenges faced when getting cars from concept to finished product (06:31) Why Rensselaer Motorsport chose NX as their CAD software of choice (12:04) Why design-integrated simulation so important in the racing and automotive industry (19:49) The importance of using connected software products like NX and Simcenter simulation (21:33) Advice for those who are just starting out learning CAD (25:47) How AI and the quest for sustainability might influence the  future of automotive design (29:41) Connect with Elliot Wilk: LinkedIn Connect with Levi Hlavac: LinkedIn Connect with Greg Arnot:  LinkedIn

SaaS is here to stay! Since 2017, the SaaS (Software as a Service) industry has expanded by more than 500%, with projections estimating the global market will reach around ten trillion dollars by 2030. The rise of SaaS has been nothing short of revolutionary in the tech industry. Over the past decade, businesses of all sizes have embraced SaaS solutions to streamline operations, reduce costs, and scale more effectively. Looking ahead, the momentum shows no signs of slowing down. This growth reflects not just the technological advancements but also the evolving needs of modern businesses, as SaaS continues to play an increasingly integral role in the digital transformation of organizations worldwide. In this episode, Greg Arnot interviews Tom Spangler, a Product Marketing Manager from Siemens, to discuss the transition to Software as a Service (SaaS), the cloud, and the benefits of Siemens’ NX X solution. Tom provides in-depth insights into how cloud technology impacts design software, the advantages of using SaaS, and why Siemens is embracing this future-forward approach. They also dive into NX X's user-centric features, licensing options, and its unique advantages over traditional on-premises solutions. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: What is SaaS, cloud streaming, and cloud licensing? (02:00) What challenges are driving companies to the cloud, and how is SaaS helping them overcome these issues? (04:35) Why is Siemens offering SaaS products? (05:50) What’s the difference between on-prem NX and NX X? (07:30) What companies are using NX X? (15:40) What the future holds for Siemens, SaaS products and NX X? (18:10) Connect with Greg Arnot: LinkedIn X Connect with Tom Spangler: LinkedIn

How are AI, LLM, and machine learning reshaping the future of CAD and mechanical design? What advancements can we expect in product development with the rise of AI-driven solutions? In this episode of the Next Generation Design Podcast, host Greg Arnot sits down with Shirish More, Senior Technical Product Manager for NX Architecture, AI, and PLM SaaS transformation, and Scott Felber, Senior Technical Product Manager from the NX Customer Success marketing team. They delve into how AI is revolutionizing the CAD landscape, transforming traditional design practices, and driving new levels of efficiency and innovation in engineering workflows.  Shirish and Scott discuss the evolving landscape of AI in mechanical design, from automating repetitive tasks to integrating advanced capabilities like generative design and real-time simulation. Discover how Siemens is leveraging AI and large language models to improve user interactions and deliver cutting-edge solutions within the NX suite, to empower designers to work smarter and bring products to market faster. Find out how Siemens ensures data security while implementing AI, and how their approach allows companies to harness the power of AI without compromising intellectual property. Plus, hear about the impact of personalization in CAD software and how AI is creating a more intuitive, user-friendly design environment. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: What makes AI, machine learning (ML), and deep learning different? (2:00) How does Siemens harness AI without compromising IP security? (4:45) How Siemens integrates AI into NX to enhance productivity and user experience (6:50) Will AI replace engineering jobs? (15:10) The future of AI generative design and conversational interfaces in CAD software (17:25) AI features within NX and how they will evolve (22:10) AI’s role in NX Molded Part Designer (27:45) Resources Mentioned: Siemens NX Tips & Tricks Blog Connect with Greg Arnot LinkedIn X Connect with Scott Felber LinkedIn Connect with Shirish More LinkedIn

Why would Siemens license its cutting-edge software to competitors? How does this unusual approach benefit both Siemens and its customers? In this episode of the Next Generation Design podcast, host Greg Arnot speaks with Jon Rimmer and Graeme McBean from Siemens Digital Industries Software about the critical role of openness in software development. They discuss Siemens' unique licensing strategy, which encourages collaboration with competitors, creating an open ecosystem that supports seamless integration across platforms. Jon and Graeme dive into Siemens’ initiatives that foster this openness, including the Code of PLM Openness, and explore how PLM components like Parasolid and JT facilitate data interoperability and cross-platform collaboration. By examining Siemens’ approach to “coopetition,” they explain how licensing software to competitors can be crucial to ensuring customer success. Whether you're interested in the future of open software in the digital industries or curious about Siemens' innovative business strategy, this episode provides a fascinating look into a new model of software development. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: Why is software openness important to customers? (05:20) Siemens’ commitment to Openness and the Code of PLM Openness. (07:40) How does NX software embrace openness to support customer access? (10:10)  Openness’ influence on the digital thread and the digital twin (13:30) Exploring Siemens Open Tools’ portfolio, product insights, and customers. (14:40) What roles do JT and Parasolid XT play in Siemens’ openness strategy? (22:30) Connect with Greg Arnot LinkedIn X Connect with Jon Rimmer LinkedIn Website Connect with Graeme McBean Website

What does the next generation of product design look like in a world where the digital and physical merge? What role does immersive technology play in enhancing design processes?  In this episode of the Next Generation Design Podcast, host Greg Arnot speaks with Ben Widdowson, Head of Marketing for Immersive Engineering at Siemens NX, and Henry Kondo, leading Sony's XR and 3D display business. They explore the exciting collaboration between Siemens and Sony, unveiling new developments in immersive engineering and the industrial metaverse. Ben and Henry share insights into the evolution of design processes—moving from traditional methods to cutting-edge immersive environments where engineers can interact with 3D models in real time. Learn how the Siemens NX Immersive Designer and Sony’s XR head-mounted display are breaking new ground in engineering workflows, enabling faster decision-making, and enhancing the digital twin experience. Discover the potential of these immersive tools to reshape industries, reduce prototyping costs, and provide a more intuitive, human-scale approach to product design. Plus, hear how this collaboration is expected to inspire the next generation of engineers by making the design process more interactive and exciting. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: How has visualization in product design software evolved over time? (2:30)  What are the Industrial Metaverse and Immersive Engineering and their importance in modern design. (4:20) How Sony and Siemens launched the NX Immersive Designer and XR headset collaboration (7:10) What are VR, AR, and MR, and how is Sony’s XR different? (11:35) The benefits of working with Sony XR and Siemens NX (17:00) What impact will the Sony-Siemens partnership have on engineering workflows? (21:10) How Oracle Red Bull Racing will leverage NX Immersive Designer and the Sony XR HMD (30:30) How does the market rate Sony XR vs Apple and Meta head-mounted displays (32:00) Connect with Greg Arnot LinkedIn X Connect with Henry Kondo LinkedIn Connect with Ben Widdowson LinkedIn Sony XR Head-mounted display

There is a significant discrepancy between how academia prepares students and what the industry expects them to do when they graduate. To close that gap, new design and manufacturing techniques must be introduced to students as early as possible. Academia should also strive to ensure students are being taught how to use the tools currently used by prospective employers. I’m your host, Jennifer Piper, and today I’m joined by Leah Griesmer, a third-year mechanical engineering student at the University of Cincinnati. Leah has an interest in additive manufacturing and 3D modeling and plans to get into product design after graduation. In this episode, you will learn about the benefits of learning CAD software, specifically NX before entering the workforce. You will also get to hear about Leah’s positive experience with NX highlighting its user-friendly interface, CAE capabilities, and seamless integration with other CAD software. Additionally, you will find Leah's insights as she provides valuable perspectives for aspiring designers and highlights the exciting possibilities in the world of product design. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: How Leah got into product design (01:39)  How the university curriculum has prepared her for a career in product design (03:24) The process of designing a product (05:24) The benefits of creating a digital mockup (07:02) Leah’s experience working with Siemens' NX (10:17) The Role of AI and machine learning in Product Design (15:31) Connect with Leah Griesmer: LinkedIn Connect with Jennifer Piper:  LinkedIn

Many startups encounter obstacles in their quest for rapid success. Lengthy development cycles and various challenges impede their progress. This is why Siemens is dedicated to addressing these issues and enhancing the startup journey.  I’m your host, Jennifer Piper, and today I’m joined by Jeff Shagena, the SMB Product Manager for NX Product Engineering Software at Siemens Digital Industries Software. Jeff will help us understand the various CAD offerings and programs of Siemens for startups, students, and small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs).   In this episode, you will learn more about the Siemens Mechanical Product Design bundle, and NX Cloud Connected products, which allow users to access NX software through the cloud, facilitating easy product acquisition and scaling. You will also get to hear more about the concept of continuous release, which involves regular major releases and monthly updates, enabling users to easily obtain the latest features and bug fixes at their convenience. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: Benefits of value-based licensing for SMB customers (3:58) How value-based licensing works (5:02) The benefits of the Siemens mechanical design offering (6:29) Siemens Xcelerator for Startups (10:16) Cloud and SaaS offerings from NX design team (15:29) Connect with Jeff Shagena: LinkedIn Connect with Jennifer Piper:  LinkedIn

It is no news that the COVID-19 pandemic has hit small and medium businesses hard. But the good news is that a snapback has been observed in SMB after it has faded. The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of the comprehensive digital twin concept among SMBs, making it important to stay connected as much as possible.  I’m your host, Jennifer Piper, and today I’m joined by Jeff Shagena, the SMB Product Manager for NX Product Engineering Software at Siemens Digital Industries Software. In this episode, Jeff will help us understand the state of the SMB CAD market, especially after the pandemic. You will get to learn about the trends that are driving changes in this market, with the first being digital transformation. You will also hear more about Siemens' future vision for NX and how it is adapting to fit the needs of SMBs – which includes improving awareness of the software and its packaging options, investing in tools like the Discovery Center, and focusing on innovation in areas like AI and machine learning. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: Trends in the SMB market and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (1:18) How Siemens’ NX  fits the needs of the SMB industry (6:27) Cloud-based solution for SMBs (11:37) Efforts made to make it easier to learn and use NX (17:22) The future of NX (22:15) Connect with Jeff Shagena: LinkedIn Connect with Jennifer Piper:  LinkedIn

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems allow engineers, architects, and other design professionals to deliver numerous drawings quickly and accurately during the planning and design phase. And just like in other industries, the use of CAD in the aerospace industry is vital for the successful creation of innovative airplane designs and functionality.  I’m your host, Jennifer Piper, and today I’m joined by Michael O'Shea, the Lead Structural Design Engineer of the Product Development IPT at Piper Aircraft. He will be talking to us about the design and manufacturing processes at Piper Aircraft. In this episode, he will help us understand his role as a lead structural design engineer and his day-to-day work, which involves a lot of CAD modeling with Siemens' NX. You will learn about the design and manufacturing processes at Piper Aircraft and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aerospace industry and how Piper Aircraft adapted to new demands, including the move towards electric and autonomous aircraft. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: The design process at Piper Aircraft (4:45) How Siemens' NX helps Piper Aircraft keep up with the increasing product complexities in the industry (9:21) The challenges in aerospace and defense, and how simulation and visualization tools help in the design process (11:32) Piper’s Halo safety system (13:51) The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aerospace industry and how Piper Aircraft adapted to new demands (15:00) Connect with Michael O'Shea: LinkedIn Connect with Jennifer Piper:  LinkedIn