The the improved clipping plane tool can beused to generate a planar section through a component in HyperMill 2015.1
HyperMill 2015.1, the latest edition of Open Mind’s suite of tools for CAM/CAD, is offering new optimisations and machining strategies, leading with a new 5-axis helical drilling.
This helical drilling cycle generates helical tool paths with the tool plunging into the material quickly, eliminating the need for pre-drilling operations.
By setting the milling tool inclination based on 5-axes, HyperMill suggests the user can benefit from efficient and tool-friendly machining with rapid swarf removal, particularly suited to difficult to cut materials.
The new ‘Print Box’ function should help when creating manufacturing plans
With internal process quality control becoming increasingly important, HyperMill has added three new probing cycles.
These include the measurement of rectangle and circle elements as well as measuring parallel to the axis, with the touch probe made easy to program in all cycles, just like a tool in HyperMill.
Users can choose between three measuring functions: the Informative Process Control, Active Process Control and Zero-Point Definition. Open Mind state that this will ‘drastically improve process reliability’ but for now, the setting offer three clear functions.
The ‘Informative Process Control’ feature makes it possible to create measuring data for the individual component geometries and access it from the controller, a plus point for any machine shop.
The ‘Active Process Control’ feature allows probing cycles to be integrated into the machining process in order to actively control parameters. Deviations in dimensional accuracy can be processed in the controller for actual machining based on the off-set value. This function is complemented by the new ‘Zero-Point Definition’ tool, which makes it possible to define the component zero-point, to allow more precise and efficient machining.
In addition to this, all movements are checked for collisions on both 3 and 5-axis machine tools.
HyperCAD-S, the CAD element within the HyperMill suite has also seen some updates. Toolbars can be individually customised and the desired commands can be pasted into or deleted from the toolbars via a drag and drop facility.
This should enable the programmer to personalise the system for more streamlined operation and programming times. Another new feature is the improved clipping plane, which is used to generate a planar section through a component.
The selected clipping plane remains active within other functions, but does not affect the existing geometry of the component, suggesting it makes it easier to analyse components whilst tool and tool paths remain unaffected.
Another HyperCAD addition is the ‘Print Box’ function – a tool to help create manufacturing plans. Users can compile or print out individual views as well as clipping planes and areas to create manufacturing documentation.
Component dimensions and text information are automatically adopted into the view and can be moved, hidden or shown there.
