Software News

Open Mind at IMTS 2016

Open Mind Technologies AG, a leading manufacturer of CAD/CAM solutions presented its current version of hyperMILL 2016.2 at IMTS 2016, in Chicago USA.

Open Mind at IMTS 2016

The CAM solution hosts a set of optimisations in 2D, 3D, 5-axis and HPC machining that will boost performance and ease of use. Highlights of the new version include 5-axis tangent machining from the hyperMILL MAXX Machining performance package and also the 5-axis optimised rest material roughing module that ensures extremely short calculation and processing times. In addition, hyperCAD-S the CAD for CAM system has also been significantly improved.

The hyperMILL MAXX Machining performance package has once again been expanded to incorporate 5-axis tangent machining of arbitrary faces with conical barrel cutters. Delivering results with speed, the use of conical barrel cutters enable performance increases of up to 90 percent compared to conventional production methods. The special feature of the Open Mind development is application of cutting tools that have radii of up to 1000mm. This unique tool feature allows the tool to conduct greater step-over distances that reduce tool paths whilst improving the theoretical roughness. The result is extremely fast production times with optimum surface quality. In addition to this module, the hyperMILL MAXX Machining package includes powerful solutions for roughing and drilling.

Tool Saving 5-axis Strategies

New strategies for 5-axis machining can undoubtedly speed up production and save tool life and machine service life. The conical interpolation results with the “Fast movement optimised” tool positions on conical way around the pole. So simultaneous 5-axis movement is generated with less acceleration of machine axes.

The 5-axis Optimized Rest Roughing creates high-speed cutting (HSC) tool paths for the rest machining that follows a previous roughing. The definition of the tilt angles for the B- and C-axes is very simple. The user can choose whether to automatically create the tilt angle in the ’3D mode’ within a specified angular range or generate it from the plane normals. All connecting paths between the tilt angles are optimised and fully checked for collisions. This indexed machining strategy offers many advantages. Firstly, shorter tools improve stability and performance. In particular, deep cavities and hard-to-reach areas can be processed economically with this cycle.

More performance for 3D machining

Open Mind has given hyperMILL 2016.2 numerous extensions for 3D operations. One new feature is the impressive 3D plane level machining. Toolpaths for finishing levels can be quickly and easily generated. Three new functions are available for 3D optimised rest material roughing: the ‘avoid areas’ option can exclude specific areas from processing, the ‘undercut optimisation’ feature avoids unnecessary redundant movements in undercut areas when performing multi-axis machining on stock; and the ‘plane level detection’ is used when plane level needs to be machined using a different stepdown, an intermediate step is added automatically.

CAD for CAM

In hyperCAD-S, plane curves or texts can now be created without distorting the geometry angle on a cylindrical surface or rotational faces. The direction, scaling and mirroring can also be modified.

With the function ‘Compare and merge’ users can compare various versions of CAD models and select the geometry elements to insert them into an existing document. All not-modified geometries remain in hyperMILL. So, only the updated fields have to be reprogrammed. For the user, the work will be accelerated considerably.