Published 1/13/2023

Open Mind Introduces CAD/CAM Software Suite Optimized for High Productivity

The HyperMill 2023 CAD/CAM software suite offers powerful and simplified NC programming in applications ranging from 2.5D machining to five-axis milling.

Edited by: Chris Pasion

Managing Editor, Modern Machine Shop | Production Machining

The new General Transformation Pattern feature in HyperMill 2023 makes it easy to program recurring shapes with a single click. Photo Credit: Open Mind Technologies

Open Mind Technologies, a leading developer of CAD/CAM software solutions, introduces its latest HyperMill 2023 CAD/CAM software suite, which offers users new and enhanced features for powerful and simplified NC programming in applications ranging from 2.5D machining to five-axis milling.

For easy programming of recurring shapes with a single click, HyperMill 2023 has a new General Transformation Pattern feature. The new feature uses a selected reference geometry and searches for the same reference in all other models regardless of its spatial orientation, creating a general transformation pattern including associated frames. This is useful when there are multiple components.

To ensure the highest level of safety while providing reliable programming when back boring, a new 2.5D back-boring machining strategy enables back boring tasks to be programmed on machines with different kinematics conveniently and easily. Toolholders and inserts, as well as monobloc tools, are displayed one-to-one in the virtual machine and checked for collisions. Now programming the controller for countersinking, deburring and milling tools on the once inaccessible back side of a hole can be done with ease.

An enhanced milling surface extension is offered in HyperMill 2023 for 3D Z-Level Shape Finishing and 3D Profile Finishing strategies, which Open Mind says ensure high-quality and reliable surface extensions, even with complex geometries. Users can reliably and easily protect sharp edges and divide up machining areas, which is useful for creating high-quality surfaces in tool and moldmaking when combined with a Smooth Overlap feature.

New for HyperMill’s mill-turn capabilities, now “Smooth Overlap” is available for optimizing finishing paths in turning. This function enables optimal transitions when multiple tools or orientations are required for machining, and approach/retract macros can be used normally.

Also, for more flexible, simplified programming of free-form tools, groove plunging with free tool geometry has been enhanced, as all tool geometries can now be used for any type of workpiece contour when roughing. These same tool setting options, approach and retract macros are also available for standard tools.

With the introduction of HyperMill 2023, the NC Optimizer feature in the HyperMill Virtual Machining strategy now optimizes fixed rotary and parallel axes by automatically locating a kinematically correct and collision-free solution. This reportedly saves time by eliminating the need to manually interact with the axes.