The new CAD integration hyperMILL in Solidworks will be presented at SolidWorks World in New Orleans from February 4-7, 2007 at Open Mind booth 727. It allows CAM programs to be created with hyperMILL under the familiar user interface. Thanks to the integration, the cam software takes on the 'look and feel' of Solidworks.

Both CAD and CAM access an identical database, thus working on a uniform data model throughout the entire process.

Open Mind Technologies's hyperMILL CAM software is used worldwide by mechanical engineering, automotive and aerospace industries as well as by tool and mould manufacturers.

Users value the versatile machining strategies, ranging from 2D and 3D through multi-axis machining.

The user-friendly, intuitive control panel with graphical user interface and the high ease of programming ensure reliable operation.

At the same time, integrated automation features reduce programming effort and help to prevent faulty entries.

In addition, the sophisticated feature technology allows the reliable transfer of geometry information from the design to hyperMILL and its subsequent processing.

Existing production expertise is thus efficiently utilised and programming efforts are kept to a minimum.

Many programming tasks can be automated and standardised using macros.

* Integrated processes through CAD integration - integrated processes with universal data models guarantee security and transparency in the production process.

Familiar user interfaces simplify operation and increase user acceptance.

These are the reasons why Open Mind Technologies has long been providing integration with leading CAD systems.

* All strategies under one interface - hyperMILL in Solidworks offers the user an array of strategies for 2D, 3D, HSC and 5-axis simultaneous machining.

They allow an optimum machining of prismatic parts, making this solution perfectly suited for mechanical engineering.

These include 2D cycles for face and contour milling, for milling various pocket geometries, as well as drilling and helical drilling.

Roughing of any stock, 3D finishing, free path milling, ISO machining, automatic rest material machining and multiple-job stock tracking offer numerous options for an efficient 3D machining.

A number of intelligent additional functions let the experienced user realise optimum machining quality and machining times.

With 3D roughing, for example, functions such as automatic plane detection, outside-in machining, automatic rounding of corners, milling area boundaries and the definition of in feed macros ensure optimised machining to meet user requirements.

* Easy programming of 5-axis tasks - whether for indexing or 5-axis simultaneous milling, many users shy away from having to define tool positions themselves.

To address this, Open Mind Technologies has developed a range of automated functions that make the programming of 5-axis machining steps as simple as 3D programming.

This was made possible by a fully automatic collision avoidance feature.

All that is required for generating the 5-axis simultaneous machining job are the preferred and maximum tilt angles.

The software automatically calculates the best collision-free position for the model.

* High-performance postprocessors - postprocessors are the link between the CAD/CAM system on the one side and the machine and controller on the other.

So as to ensure that the quality and performance of the CAM programs are not lost to the controller and the machine, Open Mind Technologies has developed postprocessors individually adapted to the machines, controllers and components used.

In this way, for example, the controller's capabilities - control cycles, path correction, program part repetition and free work planes - can be used more efficiently.

* About Open Mind Technologies - Open Mind Technologies AG is a leading developer of CAD/CAM software and postprocessors for designing and manufacturing complex moulds and parts.

Open Mind offers an extensive range of products, from 2D feature-oriented solutions for milling standard parts through to software for 5-axis simultaneous machining.

With over 7,500 licenses sold across the automotive, tool and mould manufacturing, mechanical engineering and aerospace industries, Open Mind Technologies is represented in all the important markets in Asia, Europe and North America.

Open Mind Technologies is a Mensch und Maschine (People and Machines - Ed) company (www.mum.de).