Open Mind launches hyperMILL 2026 with new CAM features
Open Mind Technologies, headquartered in Wessling, Germany, has announced a new range of finishing and programming capabilities in its hyperMILL 2026 CAD/CAM Software Suite that are intended to save time and increase accuracy. For accurate and efficient 2.5D, 3D, precision 5-axis and mill/turn machining, hyperMILL offers users productive programming and powerful machining strategies.
“Open Mind continuously performs research and development based on customer feedback and market requirements, adding capabilities to hyperMILL to further improve the user experience and software functionality,” said Alan Levine, Managing Director of Open Mind Technologies USA, Inc. “We are very pleased to provide our customers with a broad scope of new CAM programming, finishing strategies and improvements in hyperMILL 2026 that increase speed and manufacturing reliability.”
The company states that the new and enhanced finishing techniques in hyperMILL 2026 are intended to provide greater control, further increasing machining efficiency and part quality. Rest Machining has reportedly been improved to optimise tool paths and create smooth transitions by automatically detecting rest material when taking clearance and feed specifications into account. The 5-axis Rest Machining strategy has been completely redesigned to offer new calculation algorithms for “Z-Level”, “Parallel” and “Normal” machining strategies, ensuring precise and reliable detection and machining of rest material. Determining 5-axis cutter orientation has also reportedly been optimised, and collision avoidance has been improved to provide smoother simultaneous movements. For even more tool control, a new “Minimum Clearance Angle” option ensures that machining is performed with a defined clearance angle.
For more reliable deburring of cross holes and internal threads, a newly designed “Hole Brush” tool optimises the “Hole Brushing” strategy. Additionally, new options have been added to hyperMILL 2026 to improve brushing process reliability such as a capability that automatically alternates the spindle rotation direction during multiple brushing passes. Reducing programming time, both the 5-axis Deburring and 5-axis Hole Deburring strategies have been enhanced to automatically optimise contour sequences and milling directions.
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When performing 5-axis multi-blade point milling, creating more robust toolpaths and smoother movements with simplified setups is now possible in an expanded range of applications for complex impeller and blisk geometries. The camberline mode for tool orientation determination has been completely redesigned in hyperMILL 2026 and is now able to address fuel pump and inducer geometries.
A new, specialised “2D Hale Machining” strategy option is intended to produce flawless surfaces without processing marks across the sealing direction, such as on seals required in watch and semiconductor manufacturing. Hale Machining is reportedly ideal for applications that require a scratch-free finish and offers an alternative to conventional milling due to material removal taking place without active spindle speed. The spindle axis is programmed to allow the tool edge to continuously align to the contour. Hale Machining is currently available with machines that have Siemens controls.
Programming in hyperMILL 2026 has been enhanced with new and improved capabilities. Key for cylindrical parts in the aerospace industry and more, for the first time in hyperMILL and hyperMILL VIRTUAL Machining, users can easily programme the right angle head in hyperMILL TOOL Builder, avoiding costly collisions.
New tool types, including those with complex geometries for a variety of machining applications, can be quickly created in hyperMILL TOOL Builder with increased reliability and automation via detailed simulation using Virtual Machining and collision tracking. New tool types include Hole Brush, Hale Tool, Indexable Cutter with Shoulder Mill Inserts, Indexable Cutter with Face Mill Inserts, Helical Thread Drill/ Mill Cutter and Front/ Back Chamfered Cutter.
A new “Minimum Clearance Angle” option is intended to further simplify reliable 5-axis programming with automatic orientation search and defined clearance angle between the tool shank and part when using hyperMILL “5-axis Automatic Mode”. Based on a preliminary analysis of the entire toolpath, 5-axis Automatic Mode automatically determines optimal tool positions and efficiently uses indexed and simultaneous movements.
The “CAM Plan Turning” strategy for turned and mill-turned parts has also been enhanced to reduce programming time and increase accuracy. Now programmers can quickly and consistently enrich turning contours with all relevant manufacturing information. CAM Plan Turning automatically generates production-ready contours, recognises features, and provides the necessary machining areas for NC programming.
