Open Mind tailors hyperMill modules to tool and mould making needs

Before machining begins, hyperMill helps the user with intelligent and dynamic stock definition. Stock contours can be generated from the surface models and solids of any CAD model. Surface models can now be used for stock definition in the 2011 version of hyperMILL in the context of arbitrary stock roughing and material removal simulation. Clamps are managed as a separate element within the job list and can be managed and imported independently of the part model. As a result, they can be checked for collisions early in the machining calculation process. hyperMill's pocket feature recognition now also detects grooves in open and closed pockets with bottoms. In practice, this means that parallel walls are recognised as grooves and their centre contour is displayed. In addition to endmills or bullnose endmills, conical tools can now also be used for arbitrary stock roughing. Tools are checked against the model, machine and clamps to avoid collisions. For all tasks that might include 'shelling', roughing or machining with a tool shank, hyperMaxx can be used, explains Open Mind. This can also be used from the hyperMill interface and, the company says, generally allows higher cutting speeds while reducing wear and tear on both the tools and the machine. With the new 5-axis shape offset roughing and finishing machining strategies, curved surfaces can be machined with a consistent offset. This strategy enables easy programming of complex geometries, such as engine housing parts or tyre moulds. hyperMill provides 5-axis strategies that enable reliable machining using short tool lengths for typical tool and mould making geometries such as deep cavities and high and steep walls. Proven 3D strategies such as Z-level finishing, profile finishing, equi-distant finishing or rest machining have been updated with 5-axis tool positions. Thanks to fully automatic calculation of tool positions, these machining tasks can be programmed in a way familiar to those who have worked with 3D machining, says Open Mind. Complete finishing has also been customised for the tool and mould-making sector. By combining Z-level finishing and profile finishing, this strategy can automatically adapt machining to the requirements of individual areas of a model. In accordance with the angle of slope definition, machining is divided automatically between steep and flat areas, which can both be processed in a spiral pattern. In the finishing cycle, automatic rest machining detects remaining stock machined areas. After defining the reference tool and the machining area, the requisite rest machining is automatically executed. The consideration of multiple allowances is a new feature that is defined for specific milling areas and this is now also available for rest machining. Another enhancement to hyperMill 2011 is in its automatic 5-axis approach and retract macros. Within the 5-axis cycles, the approach and retract paths use 5-axis simultaneous motion. This allows all of the axes of the machine to be moving when the cutter approaches the part. This avoids sudden accelerations when the cutter is in contact with the part and results in smoother overall machine movement and cleaner transitions at the start and end of each milling movement.