Major new CAD/CAM launch combines proven products

An Open Mind (Learning/HR) product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Oct 11, 2001

A new, fully featured, integrated CAD/CAM package called Hyperform Shape combines the attributes of the Think3 CAD kernel with Open Mind's existing Hypermill CAM software

Hitherto exclusively a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software company, Open Mind will launch in the UK at CIM 2001 a new, fully featured, integrated CAD/CAM package called Hyperform Shape.

It combines the attributes of the Think3 CAD kernel with Open Mind's existing Hypermill CAM software and is configured to support voice input of common commands.

The system therefore provides end users with a highly capable, single-source solution for component design and manufacture.

The design software incorporated into Hyperform Shape provides designers with a flexible range of options when developing component geometry.

These include direct creation of drawings using parametric shapes, objects and commands; development of 3D geometry from 2D drawings; reading in existing 3D geometry and creating parameterised variations using the source data; and generation of 2D drawings from 3D model data.

Open Mind's objective in developing its full CAD/CAM system has been to maximise the efficiency of customers' product development processes.

To that end, the system includes a start-up library of 'smart objects' representing commonly required components or features.

The end user can add to the library to provide a system that allows partial automation of the detailed design process, as the entities can be customised before being dragged and dropped into new designs.

Customisation of imported model data is assisted by a new tool, Global Shape Modelling, that allows metamorphosis of existing geometry into a revised form.

Hyperform Shape provides Global Modelling Bend in which the selected geometry is bent around one axis; Global Modelling Twist which twists the selected geometry around one axis; and Global Modelling Advanced which allows the user to define fixed and variable sections of the existing geometry.

Toolmaking and tool design applications are well catered for.

Hyperform Shape contains specific features for creating surface intersections, draft angles and split lines.

In addition there is a surface closing capability to fill in missing surface data from imported CAD geometry.

The CAD capability provides a highly effective front end for Open Mind's Hypermill CNC program development software.

The latter provides comprehensive toolpath generation facilities including multiple infeed strategies, support for taper cutters, collision detection and avoidance, rework cycles based on an existing tool path, and machining strategies intended to provide optimum finish.

The rework cycle capability works in conjunction with Hyperform Shape's automatic machining analysis, which separates areas of a workpiece that can be machined quickly and easily with minimal clamping from those that require a more considered approach.

The integrated package thus builds on the respected virtues of Hypermill, extending the application range of Open Mind products into the design arena.