diff --git a/projects/hydrotech-beam/studies/01_doe_landscape/nx_interface.py b/projects/hydrotech-beam/studies/01_doe_landscape/nx_interface.py
index 4f2a3f94..f5f534b4 100644
--- a/projects/hydrotech-beam/studies/01_doe_landscape/nx_interface.py
+++ b/projects/hydrotech-beam/studies/01_doe_landscape/nx_interface.py
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ class AtomizerNXSolver:
         model_dir: str | Path = ".",
         nx_version: str = "2412",
         timeout: int = 600,
-        use_iteration_folders: bool = True,
+        use_iteration_folders: bool = False,  # Disabled: copied NX files break internal references
     ):
         model_dir = Path(model_dir)
         if not model_dir.exists():
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ class AtomizerNXSolver:
                 timeout=timeout,
                 use_journal=True,
                 study_name="hydrotech_beam_doe",
-                use_iteration_folders=use_iteration_folders,
+                use_iteration_folders=False,  # Direct model: avoid broken NX file references
                 master_model_dir=model_dir,
             )
             logger.info(