CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
August 2004
Product News
The New Version of hyperMILL® V8.1
With version 8.1, the latest edition of hyperMILL®, OPEN MIND Technologies AG offers feature technology to significantly reduce the amount of programming required for production efficiency.
Already when constructing a product-and particularly for holes and pockets-so-called features are saved in the CAD system. They contain information on the geometry and often on the production, too. The consequent use of this information in generating NC programs helps to reduce the amount of effort required for the CAM programming. For this reason, additional strategies were integrated in version 8.1 of hyperMILL® that enable existing production expertise to be used better than ever before. Examples of this are the new multi-axis drilling with feature support, the feature transfer when importing CAD data or the new pocket feature.
Automatically generate drilling jobs with different tilt angles
Previously, the programming of holes across several sides and with several tilt angles was a time-consuming matter. With hyperMILL® V8.1, this machining can be generated practically automatically. The basis of this is an extended feature detection, which now transfers the same holes independently of their position. Thus, in conjunction with multi-axis drilling, drilling jobs are programmed across several sides and with several tilt angles in a single job. Moreover, the complex drilling operations can be generated as centered drillings, simple drillings, drillings with chip breaks, or tappings. In practice, this practical automation saves the user considerable time and helps to avoid errors. However, since not only holes, but also pockets, are among the frequently used programming tasks, the feature functionality was extended for this as well. Apart from pockets and islands, hyperMILL® now also detects the open pockets required for machining. In this case, the cycle generates tool paths for complete pocket machining, including the corners and edges on the open pocket side. Furthermore, the starting point for the machining can be located outside the pocket.
Feature transfer when importing CAD data
Very often, when data is imported via an interface, production information is lost. For the CAM-programmer, this means that he must first of all prepare the data before he can start the actual programming. This means that already when transferring the data, time, effort and costs in the programming can be saved by means of optimized technologies. Therefore, hyperMILL® was enormously improved in this regard. When data is imported from Catia® V5 and Pro/ENGINEER® WildfireT via the direct interface, machining features are automatically recognized and incorporated in the feature list. They can be invoked at any time from the feature list and directly transferred into the job list without any additional preparation.
Efficiency by simplifying the working method
Efficient CAM programming depends to a considerable extent on the simplicity of operation for the user. hyperMILL® masks complicated procedures through saved automation mechanisms and by means of simple, clear operating screens. From this standpoint, too, the residual material recognition and machining for spherical milling cutters has been completely revised. By specifying the maximum machining depth, the user can very easily prevent milling cutter fracture in deep zones. In addition, the use of lollipop milling cutters is possible. Undercut zones can thus be machined with lollipop milling cutters with far less effort than with tilted tools.
Boundaries provide flexibility
CAM system providers and programmers are forever discussing the pros and cons of the boundary technique. However, thanks to the polyhedron-based data preparation of hyperMILL®, boundaries here provide very many possibilities for flexible programming. Boundaries limit the machining area. In hyperMILL®, they can be programmed on any desired curve independently of the surface area limits. For finishing with tilted tools, boundaries can now be projected from the standpoint of the tilted tool to the plane. For this purpose, the user first defines the desired milling area independently of the tool orientation. After specifying the tool tilt angle, hyperMILL® calculates the tool paths in such a way that only the selected milling area-regardless of which tilt angle was selected-is machined. This automation significantly simplifies the work with tilted tools.
In addition, in hyperMILL®, milling areas can be defined through area selection as well. In this case, it is not necessary to specify boundaries. Should the working area and surface edges not coincide, the user still always has the option of individually defining milling areas.
OPEN MIND Technologies AG is a developer of CAD/CAM solutions for designing and manufacturing complex moulds and parts. OPEN MIND offers an extensive range of products from feature-oriented solutions for milling standard parts through to software for 5axis simultaneous machining. With over 5,500 licenses sold across the automotive, tool and mould manufacturing, mechanical engineering and aerospace industries, OPEN MIND Technologies AG is represented in all the important markets in Asia, Europe and the US.
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