HyperMILL 2021.1 Accelerates Machine Time and Extends Tool Life

Innovations and enhancements within the CAD/CAM suite speed up the machining of tools, molds, complex parts and more.

5-axis machining of complex shapes can be programmed more easily. (Image courtesy of OPEN MIND.)

5-axis machining of complex shapes can be programmed more easily. (Image courtesy of OPEN MIND.)

OPEN MIND’s latest CAD/CAM software suite, hyperMILL 2021.1, presents several new features and optimizations, particularly in mold and tool making, 2.5D and 3D profile finishing, and 3-axis simultaneous high-performance turning.

It also includes a new 5-axis radial machining strategy for enabling the high-quality production of complex shapes, such as bottle shapes, as well as the hyperMILL SIMULATION Center, which provides improved machine simulation for turning and milling processes.

To simplify access to Product Manufacturing Information (PMI) and metadata, hyperMILL 2021.1 offers a function that retrieves information on face quality and metadata when importing CAD data from neutral or native formats. It also attaches data to imported faces in hyperCAD-S, making this information available to hyperMILL and its machining processes. According to Alan Levine, OPEN MIND Technologies USA managing director, this support future is expected to eventually eliminate the need for blueprints.

“We are dedicated to maximizing and simplifying the user experience with hyperMILL by adding innovative and enhanced features and strategies,” he said. “Keeping pace with evolving CAD/CAM programming requirements and laying the foundation for future needs are both vital.”

Edit Toolpath

The software includes an option that allows users to interactively edit toolpaths after the initial toolpath has been generated. Complete toolpath sequences can also be selected and removed.

3D Optimized Roughing

Creating intermediate steps for detailed removal of material. (Image courtesy of OPEN MIND.)

Creating intermediate steps for detailed removal of material. (Image courtesy of OPEN MIND.)

With 3D optimized roughing, hyperMILL 2021.1 features a “maximum step height” option, which creates intermediate steps between traditional roughing steps to allow for a much more detailed removal of material to be achieved.

Plunge points can be defined for machining, enabling the operation to be started directly in an existing hole without an additional approach macro.

Numerical control (NC) for circular movements of the machining tool can now be controlled optimally. It is now possible to set these movements as G2 (circular interpolation clockwise) or G3 (circular interpolation anti-clockwise) commands in the NC code.

5-axis Radial Machining

Simple programming and high-precision milling of complex shapes can be programmed more easily in hyperMILL 2021.1’s 5-axis Radial Machining strategy to generate high-quality surfaces. Its radial projection method calculates toolpaths quickly. It also offers “High Precision Surface Mode” and “Smooth overlap” to ensure the best surface quality and clean transitions.

hyperMILL SIMULATION Center

hyperMILL VIRTUAL Machining Center’s intuitive operating environment allows faster simulation. (Image courtesy of OPEN MIND.)

hyperMILL VIRTUAL Machining Center’s intuitive operating environment allows faster simulation. (Image courtesy of OPEN MIND.)

Version 2021.1’s powerful machine simulation for turning and milling operations is based on the hyperMILL VIRTUAL Machining Center. The SIMULATION Center offers an intuitive operating environment for faster simulation, independent collision checking and extensive analysis functions.

Other new features in hyperMILL 2021.1 include an easy-to-use “XY Optimization” command for 3D profile finishing. The “Mill-Turn Module” integrates a high-performance mode into the 3-axis simultaneous roughing strategy, combining the advantages of high-performance computing and simultaneous turning. For the simplified alignment of components, hyperCAD-S has an “Align Best Fit” machining command that allows similar parts to be aligned using defined pairs of points.

Combined, these features work together to reduce machining time, increase process reliability, minimize tool changes and extend tool life.