OPEN MIND releases hyperMILL 2024, an innovative and complete CAD/CAM solution
OPEN MIND has always offered an innovative CAD/CAM solution whose CAD functionalities are seamlessly linked to CAM programming. This leads to enormous time savings in work-piece preparation. This alone makes it clear that CAM without CAD is no longer an option today.
From version 2024, hyperMILL now combines CAD and CAM under one name (instead of hyperCAD-S), thus consolidating ‘CAD for CAM’ for the future. The familiar CAD functionalities remain the same, only their names change.
New and enhanced capabilities
hyperMILL 2024 includes a range of powerful enhancements to its core toolpath capabilities, as well as new functionality for increased NC programming efficiency in applications ranging from 2.5D machining to 5-axis milling.
An optimised Deep Hole Drilling CAM strategy offers improved machining reliability by providing a user-friendly interface with process-relevant parameters clearly defined on a new process tab. New capabilities enable coolant and dwell time stages to be identified, allow a chip break to be integrated into a drilling process and more. A new single-tip gun drill tool simulation function provides precise collision checking and a detailed visualisation of the stock removal.
A new algorithm for 3-axis and 5-axis Rest Machining ensures automatic, complete detection of all rest material areas, in addition to optimised toolpath calculations for faster, reliable machining. Toolpaths are now optimally divided to ensure more efficient machining, and the detection of intersection areas where paths meet has been optimised for collision avoidance.
An additional toolpath improvement is an enhanced path layout for the 3D Plane Machining cycle. The new strategy has a smoother path and fewer pick-ups. While the toolpath length (distance) may be longer in some cases, the machining time, as tested on a variety of NC controllers, has been reduced.
A new, novel generation of programming assistance and analysis, ‘CAM Plan’ is introduced in hyperMILL 2024, simplifying various programming tasks and identifying possible sources of error. Predefined workflow steps safely guide users through the preparation and programming process, while the geometries and features required are automatically created. Also, potential errors are flagged for removal such as double surfaces or gaps between model patches.
Once the data is organised, the CAM workflow can be processed with more intelligence and higher efficiency. The first benefit of the hyperMILL CAM Plan is that component topology is analysed to produce a precise toolpath that has command locations aligned with key geometric features and with optimised point distribution for milling. The result is improved surface finishes, easier processing by NC controllers, and reduced machining times.
For easy generation of 3-axis and 5-axis NC programs with axis change and an optimised use of the workspace, the NC Optimizer feature in the hyperMILL VIRTUAL Machining strategy now offers the option to transform X- and Y-axis movements into a single movement with the rotation axis in the table. By swapping axes, an XY movement is transformed into a simultaneous CX movement which eliminates rewind movements during machining. This is especially impactful on machines that have a limited linear axis range.
The reading back of measuring points when using hyperMILL VIRTUAL Machining is a new feature that allows a graphical representation of measured points on the part model, rather than comparing a list of measurement results. Users can also quickly identify measuring points that are out of tolerance on a 3D part model and compare trends over sequential measurements. As a result, it is much easier to analyse and compensate for inaccuracies and tool wear after milling.
hyperMILL in Australia
John Hart Pty Ltd is the Authorised Reseller for hyperMILL in Australia for over 25 years, and it is our goal to help our customers achieve sustained success through the application of hyperMILL’s world-class technology coupled with support from our highly experienced team of application engineers.