The new version 6.0 of the cam system hyperMILL in Mechanical Desktop (MD) from OPEN MIND Technologies AG in Unterf”hring near Munich substantially reduces programming and machining times for all 2D and 3D milling processes, thereby cutting production costs and shortening launch lead-up times. An improved ergonomic user interface and numerous new and enhanced functions increase efficiency at every stage in the production process, from the original design to the finished workpiece. Its automatic feature recognition makes machining processes more efficient and economical, reducing programming times and eliminating unnecessary tool changes.
It recognises features such as faces, pockets, grooves, drill holes with their respective access directions, remote drill holes and offset CAD models.
Identical features can automatically be grouped together and added to a job list.
The interactive job allocation of all recognised features with all relevant production parameters (e.g pocket depths) relieves programmers of tedious routine work while ensuring full process control.
The new job-list administration in hyperMILL 6.0 makes NC programming much easier.
It allows clear and efficient structuring of all operations to be performed for a part.
Existing job lists can be exported and imported, and therefore used for new parts, allowing faster implementation of customer-requested modifications.
The optimised 3D machining strategies of hyperMILL in MD for curve milling, pocket milling and finishing offer tool paths for excellent surface quality even on the most complex, steep areas.
The new flow strategy for equidistant finishing ensures constant chip level - a requirement for high-speed cutting.
It also ensures equal distances between paths on steep and flat geometrical areas, thus providing high surface quality and a long tool life.
The excellent high-speed cutting capabilities of hyperMILL in MD become obvious in equidistant finishing, optimised profile finishing and looping for all finishing routines.
Users can set different horizontal dimensions for all 3D strategies to protect sensitive contours such as form partings.
The completely new user interface is even easier to use and provides faster access to individual functions.
It offers a new overview mode and Windows-based hyperMILL dialogs within MD.
The new browser has the same look and feel as the MD browser and provides clear access to all job data and a simple path for inputting data.
Logical or syntax errors made by users are detected automatically in accordance with the selected warning level.
hyperMILL 6.0 supports the MD multi-document interface, which allows several models to be loaded simultaneously.
While the NC sets are being calculated, users can continue working on the selected model - turning, moving or changing it - or define additional machining strategies in a second window.
As hyperMILL 6.0 is fully integrated in MD, it can update the NC program much more quickly as changes are made to the design model.
OPEN MIND Technologies AG presented the new version 6.0 of hyperMILL in MD for the first time at the Hannover Industry Fair this week.
hyperMILL in MD V6.0 supports AutoCAD 2000i and 2000, Mechanical Desktop 5 and 4, and runs under Windows NT/2000.