Open Mind hyperMill 2013 innovations include exploitation of barrel cutter capabilities

According to Open Mind, one of the highlights of hyperMill 2013 is its extension for 5-axis Contour Offset Finishing that harnesses the ability of barrel cutters. The strategy uses the large effective radius of the barrel cutter with a point milling contact style. The radius of the milling tool allows increased step-over distances between passes for free-form surfaces. The software's Rib Milling Cycle, jointly developed by Open Mind and a German automotive manufacturer, will interest toolmakers who need to mill deep, narrow cavities for ribs in their moulds. The cycle automatically detects grooves to be milled and steep areas and floors are machined separately. Depending on the workpiece geometry, the system selects a suitable roughing strategy, and contiguous areas are completely machined. The connections between toolpaths and depths have been smoothed for the roughing and floor machining of impellers and blisks – one of the special applications within hyperMill. The Tyre Module, for the machining of tyre moulds, has also been improved with a Tyre Browser development. The tyre clock component of this browser contains all relevant segment, tracks, pitch sequence and pitches tyre design information. HyperMill 2013 also includes strategies to counteract the shock to the structures and even to cutting tools that comes with the fast acceleration achieved by increasingly dynamic machine tools. One example of softer movements that are easier on machines is Extended Contour Compensation. This analyses the toolpaths for areas where sudden changes in direction may be encountered. As part of contour compensation, small transition radii are inserted at critical contour changes. Movements have also been softened for 5-axis drilling; it is now possible to use rounded infeeds in G1 with an increased feedrate for connection moves between drill holes. This makes the tool movements more constant and harmonious, while also reducing positioning times. Another example of the CAM solution's tool-saving strategies is a Variable Step-over for mill turning with ceramic inserts. Gradually ascending/descending infeed depths during roughing ensure that the full length of the inserts is used.