NC programs generated within CAD environment

An Open Mind Technologies UK product story

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team Nov 28, 2001

The latest vehicle manufacturer to adopt Open Mind's hyperMILL computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software is Volvo Car Corporation. Volvo has installed it initially on five workstations.

The latest vehicle manufacturer to adopt Open Mind's hyperMILL computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software is Volvo Car Corporation.

During a three-month trial, the company's model-making, prototyping and design group in Gothenburg, Sweden, used hyperMILL in CATIA to produce models of mirrors, door locks and other parts for a new vehicle currently under development.

The CAM software was selected in preference to two other shortlisted systems, and Volvo has installed it initially on five workstations.

The company's engineers say the major advantage of hyperMILL is its full integration in their CATIA 4.2.2 system, allowing them to generate NC programs directly within the CAD environment.

They can use a single data model and user interface throughout the entire process chain.

Changes made to CAD models are automatically incorporated in the NC programs for moulds or prototypes.

Training only took a few days and Volvo is on record as saying that its staff quickly became proficient in all CAM functions.

"In addition, lead times are shorter than before and the next project can be started while the previous one is still in progress", said Anders Hjelm, NC-Specialist at Volvo Car Corporation.

Another advantage is the flexible floating-license for network installation.

All the group's workstations can access the CAM functions until the number of purchased licenses is reached.

This allows Volvo to make optimum use of the workstations at minimum software cost.

Volvo benefits from the simple, fast and reliable generation of NC programs for their specialised needs.

hyperMILL in CATIA offers powerful 2D and 3D functions which allow rapid programming of complex models.

While the cutter paths are calculated in background, the next project can be started.

If the geometry changes for a particular part, the milling paths can be recalculated immediately by selecting the new contour.

Other CAM groups and manufacturing plants within Volvo Car Corporation have shown interest to follow suit with the installation of Open Mind software, so more seats are anticipated.