software & controls
Going with the flow:
the virtual and ‘real’
dolphins illustrate how
Open Mind’s 5-axis
solutions have become
increasingly capable - and
they now account for 90%
of the company’s business
‘Our 5-axis solution was introduced in 1998 when we
released hyperMILL 5.0 which had a very slick
makeover to include a unified user-interface for 2-5 axis
machining. We won a lot of our 5-axis business because
we were the only CAM vendor at the time offering 5axis
collision avoidance. Today our 5-axis collision
avoidance technology is regarded the best in the
industry with 90% of our UK 5-axis customers not using
any form of verification.’
In December 2006 Open Mind Technologies UK, won
an order for twenty seats of hyperMILL (from 2-axis to
5-axis including millTURN) from one of the leading
UK F1 teams and in September 2007 it won an order
from another team. 80% of the F1 starting grid now has
5-axis parts in the cars machined using hyperMILL.
The new millTURN module, included with
hyperMILL Version 9.6, offers machining strategies for
turn roughing, turn finishing, grooving and thread
turning. Because the mill/turn module is seamlessly
integrated in hyperMILL, V9.6 and V9.7, users can
switch between turning and milling strategies at any
time whilst they are programming and they can also
generate NC programs very easily. Automatic stock
tracking and stock management, the tool database and
collision control are available for all turning and
milling strategies. A mill/turn postprocessor ensures
that a complete NC file is output.
Additional options for 5-axis machining have also
been added in Delcam’s PowerMILL 8. This includes
improved memory management within the software
giving significantly faster calculation times, especially
for large, complex components, like press tools for
automotive bodywork, and for smaller, highly-detailed
models, such as moulds for fine-tolerance and highaccuracy
parts.
The most significant of the new 5-axis options is a
powerful tool-axis editing function that allows the user
to select any region of a toolpath and redefine the toolaxis
vectors within that region. Previously, a single toolaxis
specification was applied to a complete toolpath,
although this could be adjusted automatically to avoid
any collisions. The new ability to use different options in
different regions of the toolpath will enable users to
optimise cutting conditions and avoid any sudden
machine tool movements that could result in a poor
surface finish.
74 MWP november 2007
Delcam has also launched a new module for
PowerMILL that offers much faster programming of
the 5-axis machining of blisks and impellers. Typically,
the new option will allow even complex blisks and
impellers to be programmed in around 30 minutes,
compared with the many hours of work that would have
been needed previously.
Pathtrace’s EdgeCAM Version 12, also expands on the
system’s 5-axis capabilities and delivers improved CAD
data management, faster toolpath generation and new
options for hole cycle optimisation. Expanded into both
turning and mill/turn environments, EdgeCAM
Strategy Manager allows more processes to be
automated, enabling design intent to direct the
manufacturing environment. Furthermore, when used
in conjunction with the EdgeCAM Part Modeller,
surface finish can be employed to control optimum feed,
speed and depth of cut. EdgeCAM Simulator accurately
models the machine tool and simulates all movement
within the manufacturing process.
Sescoi’s WorkNC G3’s ergonomic integrated interface
unites design, analysis machining and verification into
one environment, simplifying part manipulation and
giving greater control over toolpath trajectory. For
aerospace customers new 5-axis routines are included for
impeller and blade machining. Additionally, there are
improvements to Sescoi’s Auto 5 toolpath, which
automatically translates 3-axis toolpaths to 5-axis,
increasing the proportion of the part which can be
completed in one hit, and allowing the use of shorter
and more rigid tools. Verification in WorkNC G3
considers the tool, its holder and the complete machine
tool structure, together with the axis limitations when
checking a cutter path.
www.openmind.co.uk
www.delcam.co.uk
www.sescoi.com
www.edgecam.com
www.gibbscam.com
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