CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive

November 2008

Product News

New Release: hyperMILL® 2009.1

With the latest release of its CAM system, OPEN MIND Technologies AG is setting the direction for future-oriented CAM programming. The NC programming system benefits from more process reliability, a better user interface and short manufacturing lead times – all with less programming effort even for complex workpieces. The new hyperMILL® 2009.1 from OPEN MIND Technologies AG sets the benchmark for the efficient and comprehensive CAD programming ranging from 2D to 5-axis applications.

As the link between design and production, the CAM system represents a major factor in process streamlining. hyperMILL® software from OPEN MIND Technologies AG implements a consistent process chain with uninterrupted workflows and reduced cycle times. The CAM expert offers a broad spectrum of CAD-integrated solutions and direct interfaces as well as powerful post-processing technology that is customized for each machine. The new release hyperMILL® 2009.1 has improvements and innovations in all areas ranging from 2D to 5-axis processing, including improved deep-hole drilling with feed motion reduction for cross-hole drilling, 3D roughing with minimal metal removal and as an all-in-one finishing process, an optimized rapid motion concept, the intelligent job link as well as new functions for simultaneous 5-axis milling. The new release makes all CAM programming steps even more efficient than before.

Optimized preparation: Broad spectrum of analytical functions

With hyperMILL® 2009.1 components can be checked quickly and easily for optimum job preparation and CAD programming, and with the new analytical tools the user can recognize manufacturing-relevant properties of design elements. A simple click brings up information about surface types, radii, coordinates and selection points. By clicking two elements, the user can check the distance between surfaces and points or the angle between two surfaces. Depth measurements are possible, too.

Production-relevant information such as tolerances or process types are displayed as standardized and color-coded tables which can now be stored in hyperMILL® 2009.1. They provide the user with easy access to information about the drilling or other geometrical tolerances in the workpiece.

Efficient programming with a mouse click

Transformations provide new ways of reproducing the processing of identical, similar or symmetrical shapes quickly. Any changes in the original are instantly reflected in all “copies”. In addition, each parameter can be adjusted individually. As a special feature, the shifted and/or rotated programs can be checked for collisions with the finished part, which simplifies the programming of tombstone fixtures or multiple fixtures.

Mirroring is suitable for completely symmetrical parts such as left and right workpieces as well as for parts where only certain shapes are mirrored. Synchronized processes are maintained in the mirrored operations, and any changes in the original are automatically reflected in all mirrored versions. Individual parameter adjustments are possible too.

Reusing manufacturing know-how

The expanded job list in hyperMILL® 2009.1 makes it possible to arrange jobs in groups based on work steps, geometries, special positions or tool orientations. You can even combine or hide work steps. This feature makes managing projects with long job lists a lot easier.

With the new OPEN MIND tool database, you can map tools even more accurately than before. The graphical user interface ensures reliable definitions. You can map complete tools and even take connector types into account for a comprehensive collision analysis. Depending on the tool construction, the processing strategy and the material you can also store different technology parameters. The new tool database provides a comprehensive solution for efficient tool management. It also includes interfaces for connections to the databases of leading tool manufacturers.

2D milling: New strategies for best results

The new 2D contour milling offers significant potential for faster programming and shorter machining times. The automatic transportation strategies always select the best available path and the optimum starting point. A special feature is the automatic trimming of tool paths against the unmachined part, which optimizes the travel paths and avoids deadhead trips. In addition, the collision check against the milling area ensures maximum process reliability.

With playback milling you can execute very simple milling procedures by guiding the mouse pointer across the corresponding areas. The system displays the material removal for the selected cutter diameter and checks the milling path for collisions.

The perforation detection expands the pocket feature detection: In addition to closed pockets, pockets with islands and pockets with open sides, hyperMILL® 2009.1 now recognizes open pockets as well.

3D and 5-axis machining for faster programming and production

The production mode is a new function that minimizes the travel movements within a process. If certain areas are not machined, the production mode makes sure that they are circumvented along the shortest path and without collisions. This can shorten production times considerably, particularly for large parts on relatively slow machines.

For processing residual materials, a reference job can be selected instead of the reference tool. Afterwards, the system processes only those residual material areas that the reference job was unable to work on due to collisions. Another search for potential residual material areas is no longer necessary. These areas can be processed with 3D, simultaneous 5-axis simultaneous processing or fixed 5-axis processing. Since the calculation is based on the areas previously determined by the reference job and only the toolpaths are recalculated, a different tool can be selected at any time. Additional restrictions with boundary of milling surfaces are no longer needed.

New functions in 3D residual material processing also provide speed improvements in hyperMILL® 2009.1. One of these involves defining a radius cutter as a reference tool for machining ribs and grooves. Deep sections with lots of material can now be cleaned out completely and effectively with a constant depth setting.

The 3D radius correction reduces the programming effort and makes it possible to maintain high tolerances, for example when a tool is used to mill multiple electrodes.

OPEN MIND Technologies AG is a Mensch und Maschine company (http://www.manandmachine.co.uk).

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