UGS

UGS is a term that can refer to several different entities, most commonly a software company and a type of manufacturing system.

In the context of software, UGS was a significant player in the computer-aided design, manufacturing, and engineering (CAD/CAM/CAE) software market. The company was founded in 1981 and underwent several acquisitions and name changes throughout its history. It was initially a division of General Motors, then acquired by Electronic Data Systems (EDS), and subsequently by Silver Lake Partners. In 2007, UGS was acquired by Siemens AG and rebranded as Siemens PLM Software. The software developed by UGS, such as NX and Solid Edge, remains a crucial part of Siemens' product lifecycle management (PLM) portfolio, used extensively in industries like automotive, aerospace, and consumer goods for product design, simulation, and manufacturing planning.

Another common usage of UGS refers to a "Universal Gripping System." This is a generic term for an end-of-arm tooling system used in robotics. It allows for quick and easy interchange of different grippers, tools, or sensors on a robot arm without needing to reprogram the robot or manually connect complex wiring. This versatility is essential for robots that perform a variety of tasks or need to handle different objects. A UGS typically consists of a standardized mounting plate on the robot arm and a corresponding plate on the tool, with integrated electrical and pneumatic connections that mate automatically when the tool is attached. This system increases robotic flexibility and reduces downtime between different operations.