CAD/CAM Module Automates Die-Sinking Electrode Design

Open Mind Technologies’ HyperCAD-S Electrode module for its HyperMill software automates the design and production of electrodes for die-sinking, enabling users to base their electrode designs on the face to be machined within the component geometry, all without requiring special expertise.

The NC programmer selects the faces that will be die-sunk, and the CAD software automatically extends the electrode faces as needed, selecting the blank and holder from a library. The module is suitable for solid and face models, and the geometry can be selected via faces or contours. Any holes in the geometry are filled automatically. The module also calculates the minimal rib distance, the blank’s excess and the C-angle offset. The data, including spark gap, blank size, positional reference and color areas, are automatically transferred to HyperMill, where the user can select the electrode and begin programming in a separate dialogue window. When the required information has been entered, the system automatically generates a job list containing all the relevant parameters.