hyperMILL^® comes out on top in benchmark tests

Wessling (Germany), Apr 18, 2016 – BMW AG has introduced OPEN MIND Technologies AG, developer of the CAM system hyperMILL^®, as one of its CAD/CAM software suppliers. Following multi-phase benchmark tests, the modular hyperMILL^® complete CAM solution won over the IT department at the BMW Group and the experts in tool engineering, prototyping and series production. As a result, BMW departments and plants all over the world can now use the high-end hyperMILL^® CAD/CAM system.

The results of the benchmark tests revealed that thanks to the exceptional advantages of the hyperMILL^® CAM solution, BMW AG has introduced OPEN MIND as a permanent CAD/CAM software supplier. The IT department, the specialist tool engineering and prototyping departments as well as serial production see hyperMILL^® as an intuitive, high-end CAD/CAM system with a high degree of technical fulfilment. BMW plants around the world can now select and employ hyperMILL^® in consultation with IT headquarters.

The selection process

18 months ago, the central IT department of the BMW Group began searching for a new CAD/CAM system. The goal was to find a CAD/CAM solution with a high level of coverage for the many different NC application areas in the specialist departments. This resulted in a comprehensive technical evaluation and a cost-benefit analysis for all participants in the benchmark tests together with the specialist departments.

Intensive benchmark tests

In the autumn of 2014, the BMW Group invited OPEN MIND and five other CAD/CAM manufacturers to take part in benchmark tests. A multi-phase selection procedure saw the CAD/CAM systems undergo intensive testing in the following main categories: ‘tool making’, ‘series production’, ‘prototyping’ and the internal BMW category ‘CAM light’. This was followed by a technical evaluation based on presentations and programming tasks. To make the shortlist, the system had to successfully pass the economic evaluation. OPEN MIND came out on top thanks to the technical and economic benefits of hyperMILL^®. This cleared the way for the pilot phase with milling tests in early 2015. Users from the specialist departments at BMW M GmbH, Material testing, Tooling in Munich and Dingolfing were provided with training and began to use the OPEN MIND system to programme components and tools.

High standards

hyperMILL^® is a modular CAM solution that integrates a comprehensive concept for 2D, 3D as well as 5axis milling/mill turning and machining operations like high-speed and high-performance cutting (HSC and HPC) in one interface. Complete machining with just one CAM software and one postprocessor for all turning and milling processes results in integrated processes and minimised machining times.

Automated CAM programming

Automation represents the highest degree of perfection in CAD/CAM systems. At BMW, the trimming dies for the automation task were selected in the benchmark tests. The task was to create NC programs automatically for ten trimming dies. “We defined an optimised process for these trimming dies and at the push of a button, it’s possible to reproduce these best practices on any of these geometries,” says Martin Herrmann, Product Development Manager at OPEN MIND. “In terms of automation, we are not only able to significantly reduce programming times, we can also create NC programs that guarantee perfect, highly optimised machining quality,” adds Volker Nesenhöner, CEO at OPEN MIND Technologies AG. The programming times and milling results achieved won over the specialist departments at the BMW Group.

Available images

The following images are available for download in printable format at:
http://www.htcm.de/kk/openmind

Image source (2): OPEN MIND

About OPEN MIND Technologies AG

OPEN MIND is one of the world’s most sought-after developers of powerful CAM solutions for machine and controller-independent programming.

OPEN MIND designs optimized CAM solutions that include a high number of innovative features not available elsewhere to deliver significantly higher performance in both programming and machining. Strategies such as 2D, 3D as well as 5axis milling/mill turning, and machining operations like HSC and HPC are efficiently built into the hyperMILL^® CAM system. hyperMILL^® provides the maximum possible benefits to customers thanks to its full compatibility with all current CAD solutions and extensive programming automation.

OPEN MIND strives to be the best and most innovative CAM/CAD manufacturer in the world, helping it become one of the top five in the CAM/CAD industry according to the NC Market Analysis Report 2015 compiled by CIMdata. The CAM/CAD solutions of OPEN MIND fulfil the highest demands in the automotive, tool and mould manufacturing, production machining, medical, job shops, energy and aerospace industries. OPEN MIND is represented in all key markets in Asia, Europe and America, and is a Mensch und Maschine company.

You can find more information at www.openmind-tech.com.

Contacts:
OPEN MIND Technologies USA, Inc.
1492 Highland Avenue, Unit 3
Needham MA 02492
USA
Phone: +1  339  225  4557 office
Phone: +1  888  516 1232 x0 toll-free
Fax: +1  270  912 5822
E-mail: Email Contact

OPEN MIND Technologies UK Ltd., Oxford
Units 1 and 2
Bicester Business Park
Telford Road
Bicester
Oxfordshire OX26 4LN
England
Fon: +44  1869  290 003
Fax: +44  1869  369 429
E-mail: Email Contact

Head office:
OPEN MIND Technologies AG
Argelsrieder Feld 5,
82234 Wessling,
Germany
Tel.: (+49-8153) 933-500
Fax: (+49-8153) 933-501
E-mail: Email Contact
website: www.openmind-tech.com

Press Contact:

HighTech communications GmbH
Brigitte Basilio
Grasserstrasse 1c
80339 Munich
Germany
Tel.: (+49-89) 500778-20
Fax: (+49-89) 500778-78
E-mail: Email Contact
Website: www.htcm.de