OPEN MIND Technologies AG, a global CAD/CAM software solution developer, announced that it has partnered with HAIMER of Igenhausen, Germany to accept the challenge of five-axis machining of aluminum panthers. HAIMER is the partner of the German Hockey League Augsburg Panthers professional ice hockey team. As a market leader in the design, manufacture and sale of high-precision products (including tool presetting machines, solid carbide tools, tool holders, etc.) for metal processing manufacturers in all walks of life, HAIMER has a good coverage of tools. In order to use the most advanced high-end technology, HAIMER contacted its long-term CAD/CAM software partner, OPEN MIND Technologies in Weslin, Germany, to learn about its hyperMILL software suite and programming expertise. OPEN MIND proved to be the choice for programming the completely free-form contours required by the Panthers.

The HAIMER and OPEN MIND team spent about three weeks of intensive time to complete the first standalone black panther. Once the processing parameters were in place and optimized, the approximately 20-inch (500 mm) long Panther was processed in less than 13 hours. In addition to being proudly displayed by the Augsburg Panthers hockey team, the Panthers model will also be exhibited at HAIMER and the OPEN MIND trade booth in future events.

Christian Neuner, Global Engineering Services Manager at OPEN MIND, explained: “Models like this are an excellent opportunity to test the versatility and flexibility of our software. HyperMILL has a wide range of functions that enable CAM users to truly optimize the machine’s functions to achieve expectations. Goals include manufacturing complex and challenging parts."

Jakob Nordmann, application engineer at OPEN MIND, worked with Daniel Swoboda, application engineer at HAIMER, to develop the ideal programming and machining infrastructure. Due to the very fine mouth and front teeth, and the slender tail shape, two settings are required on the linear five-axis DMG MORI HSC70 machining center. For rough machining, the four-blade milling cutter with round corner radius of Duo-Lock HAIMER MILL Alu series was selected. In the finishing process, the full-radius solid carbide end mill of HAIMER MILL Alu series was used because of its microscopic geometry. Features are designed for smoothness and top surface quality.

Nordmann said: "For particularly detailed areas, such as the creases of the mouth and tail or joints, we have generated additional surfaces that can be combined with the STL network in hyperMILL." For this reason, hyperCAD-S,'CAD used the OPEN MIND specially designed CAM system to help meet all the needs of programmers.

Also indispensable for milling Panthers is the hyperMILL VIRTUAL Machining Center, which is a process-safe NC simulation solution in which virtual machine motion completely simulates real motion and ensures reliable collision detection. VIRTUAL Machining Center recognizes in advance that parts cannot be machined in the basic direction due to X-axis limitations, and automatically generates solutions for feasible positions.