Instead of having to manually align the unmachined part that is clamped in the machine to the NC program, the hyperMILL CAM system aligns the NC program automatically to the component position.
This innovative method saves time and increases process reliability, especially with carbon fibre parts, cast, forged, welded and additively manufactured stocks with small or irregular allowances. This is also relevant when reworking heat-treated parts and during machine changeovers. Each of these processes requires a delicate touch to calibrate it with the CAD model of the end product.
hyperMILL BEST FIT takes full advantage of the options offered by the Virtual Machine in the CAM program and communication protocols within a 5-axis machining centre that makes it possible to undertake 3D measurements to eliminate the uncertainty that comes with manual alignment.
Real-time alignment for reliable, plannable processes
Up to now, it has been standard practice to adapt the stock and the clamping in the machine to the conditions of the NC program. The component is aligned manually, using a dial gauge, control cycles, plus a great deal of sensitivity. The actual clamping operation is adapted to conform to the virtual programming. This process is time-intensive, often needed to be repeated multiple times and involved several uncertainties.
One way to solve this issue is to align the component in CAM in real-time. The unaligned stock is probed on the machine by way of a 3D measurement, the measurement log is sent to the CAM system, and hyperMILL BEST FIT adjusts the NC code to the actual position of the component.
The virtual world programming is adapted to the real world clamping, not the other way around! The adjusted NC code is then simulated in the Virtual Machine on the actual clamping set up, and automatically optimised, this is particularly useful for companies processing carbon fibre components.
A real game-changer in many application areas
“Thanks to hyperMILL BEST FIT, time-consuming and unsafe component alignment on the machine is a thing of the past. hyperMILL detects the situation on the machine and aligns the component virtually,” explained Manfred Guggemos, product manager at Open Mind Technologies.
“Component alignment at the touch of a button is a real game-changer in many application areas. This could include reworking refurbished parts, CFRP parts and imperfectly forged parts, machining parts that are too heavy to be aligned by hand, eliminating the need for high-precision equipment, and more.
"What makes this unique is that unlike previous solutions available on the market, hyperMILL BEST FIT does not change the origin on the controller and generates completely collision-checked toolpaths.”
