“Efficient 5-Axis Programming”

OPEN MIND technical presentation at debut PDx/amerimold show

Needham MA – OPEN MIND Technologies USA will participate at the premier edition of the PDx/amerimold tradeshow at the Duke Energy Center in Cincinnati from May 11-13, 2010. In addition to demonstrating its hyperMILL^® software in Booth 725, OPEN MIND Account Manager John Welch will make a technical presentation entitled “Efficient 5-Axis Programming”, together with Gary Eckel, Programming Manager at Freeman Engineered Tooling Solutions.

PDx/amerimold is derived from the previous MoldMaking Technology Show (Gardner Publications) and is now co-sponsored by the same group that also produces the successful Euromold show. The event will include a tradeshow floor, a technical conference, and networking opportunities all dedicated to advancing business and technology in tooling, moldmaking, design and development.

  In Booth 725, OPEN MIND will demonstrate hyperMILL^® CAM software that is a key production technology for mold and die manufacturers. Recent enhancements to hyperMILL include increased automation through associative programming job steps, production-mode to reduce air time for insert, retract and transition moves, and technology-leading 5-axis solutions that enable use of shorter cutter lengths, reduce the number of set-ups, reduce machining times, and increase the overall part accuracy and surface finish.

The presentation, abstracted below, will explain the benefits of 5-axis machining and will showcase an application by our customer Freeman Engineered Tooling Solutions.

Mold and die makers are facing continuous pressure to produce more complex molds in less time with less cost and many of them have been hesitant to invest in 5-axis technology. Many suppliers are offering solutions to meet these demands, including machine tool builders, controller manufacturers, tooling suppliers and CAM software developers. We will focus here on the contribution that the right CAM software can allow you to meet these objectives. Five-axis technology has the potential to eliminate processes, optimize tooling, improve feeds and speeds, and in the end, produce better surface finish in a shorter time. We will look at all these aspects of implementing 5-axis technology starting with reduced setups, 3+2 vs. 5-axis simultaneous, and handling deep cavities and undercuts. In some cases, efficient 5-axis techniques can eliminate the need for EDM processes altogether. In any case, the use of shorter tools and varying tool axes provide improved machining parameters. Then in the end, it’s important to get programming done right the first time. So reliable 5-axis cycles, full machining simulation and accurate post processing are critical to success. We will review advanced software solutions for all these tasks.

OPEN MIND Managing Director Alan Levine states that hyperMILL^® provides a rational “multi-axis” technology set to users, combining 3-axis, 3+2 machining on tilted workplanes, 4+1 motion with one locked rotary axis, and full 5-axis toolpaths. These solutions are presented through a consistent user interface and the technology levels are often determined by the software based on collision detection and avoidance results, keeping the programming easy for the user.