During multi-phase benchmark tests, the modular hyperMILL complete CAM solution successfully won over BMW Group’s IT department and its tool engineering, prototyping and series production experts. As a result, BMW departments and plants all over the world can now use the high-end hyperMILL CADCAM system.
In 2004, the central IT department of the BMW Group began searching for a new CADCAM system. The goal was to find a CADCAM solution with a high level of coverage for the many different NC application areas in the numerous specialist departments. This resulted in a comprehensive technical evaluation of CAM vendors and a cost-benefit analysis for all participants in the benchmark tests.
In the autumn of 2014, the BMW Group invited Open Mind and five other CADCAM manufacturers to take part in benchmark tests. A multi-phase selection procedure saw the CADCAM systems undergo intensive testing in the following main categories: ‘tool making’, ‘series production’, ‘prototyping’ and the internal BMW category ‘CAM light’. This was followed by a technical evaluation based on presentations and programming tasks. To make the shortlist, the system had to successfully pass the economic evaluation. Open Mind came out on top. This cleared the way for the pilot phase with milling tests in early 2015. Users from the specialist departments at BMW GmbH material testing departments and at the tooling divisions in Munich and Dingolfing were provided with training and began to use the Open Mind system to programme components and tools.
hyperMILL is a modular CAM solution that integrates a comprehensive concept for 2D, 3D as well as 5-axis milling, mill/turning and machining operations like high-speed and high-performance cutting (HSC and HPC) in one interface.
At BMW, the trimming dies for the automation task were selected in the benchmark tests. The task was to create NC programs automatically for ten trimming dies. “We defined an optimised process for these trimming dies and at the push of a button, it’s possible to reproduce these best practices on any of these geometries,” says Martin Herrmann, product development manager at Open Mind.
“In terms of automation, we can significantly reduce programming times and also create NC programs that guarantee perfect, highly optimised machining quality,” adds Volker Nesenhöner, CEO of Open Mind Technologies.
The programming times and milling results won over the specialist departments at the BMW Group.
