New CAM technology introduced by Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division makes it possible to use complex six-axis milling machine tools for the production of large parts. The specialist programming tools provide accurate simulation and generate efficient six-axis tool paths to ensure that these advanced machines offer increased productivity.

Hexagon’s Edgecam software features new tools that focus on six-axis machines equipped with two rotary axes on the head and one rotary table, where this sixth axis enables milling tools to machine all sides of a large part, including areas that are otherwise impossible to reach without repositioning workpieces. The new dedicated six-axis tools provide greater tool-path control and more accurate simulation of processes, reducing the need for expert intervention on the shop floor, improving the utilisation of advanced machinery and avoiding the risk of costly damage.

Edgecam improvements additionally provide greater flexibility for five-axis milling by offering tools that allow CNC programmers to select the level of automation they prefer when creating tool paths. Using these tools, programmers can choose to automate tool-path generation, manually create all tool paths, or generate tool paths using a combination of automated and manual tools. The ability to customise programming preferences increases control over exactly how parts are machined, helping users reduce programming time on tasks that are simple to automate and making it easier to work more closely with complex tool paths when needed.

Productivity is also improved with rough grooving operation optimisation that eliminates unnecessary machine movement, resulting in a cycle time reduction of up to 60%.

For further information
www.edgecam.com

Open Mind’s hyperMILL Best Fit is a new function to help optimise the planning of machining operations. Instead of having to manually align the un-machined part that is clamped in the machine to the NC program, the hyperMILL CAM system aligns the NC program automatically to the component position. This method saves time and increases process reliability, especially with carbon fibre parts, as well as cast, forged, welded and additively manufactured stock featuring small or irregular allowances.

The hyperMILL Best Fit function takes full advantage of the options offered by the virtual machine in the CAM program and communication protocols within a five-axis machining centre that make it possible to undertake 3D measurements and eliminate the uncertainty which comes with manual alignment.

Up to now, it has been standard practice to adapt the stock and the clamping in the machine to the conditions of the NC program. One way to solve this time-consuming issue is to align the component in CAM in real-time. The unaligned stock is probed on the machine by way of a 3D measurement. Then, the measurement log is sent to the CAM system, and hyperMILL Best Fit adjusts the NC code to the actual position of the component. Virtual world programming is adapted to real world clamping, not the other way around. Finally, the adjusted NC code is simulated in the virtual machine on the actual clamping set up, followed by automatic optimisation.

“What makes this unique is that unlike previous solutions available on the market, hyperMILL Best Fit does not change the origin on the controller and generates completely collision-checked tool paths,” says Manfred Guggemos, product manager at Open Mind Technologies.

For further information
www.openmind-tech.com