Editorial, News, and Products
Five-Axis Machine With Pallet Changer, 16k-Spindle, Versatile Control Makes More Accurate Molds Faster
The move from three- to five-axis machining with automation reduced setup times and improved surface finishes for this small but mighty Amish mold builder.
YCM Alliance Technical Center Grand Opening Highlights Customer-Centric Focus
The two-day event celebrated at the end of May brought in 300+ OEM and job shop customers, dealers and industry vendors for mold/die, general parts and high-speed machine demonstrations as well as industry expert presentations.
New Michigan Technical Center for YCM Alliance
YCM Alliance held a grand opening of its new Technical Center in Sterling Heights, Michigan, last week, which is the first in a series of centers designed to showcase and demo machining solutions for die and mold machining, ultra-high-speed machining and general parts machining.
3D Printing Technologies for Moldmaking Applications
3D printing technologies, from conformal cooling to complex mold building, are making an impact on the moldmaking industry, one innovation at a time.
CAD/CAM Software Generates Unique Additive Tool Paths for Mold Cooling Channels
The Open Mind hyperMILL Additive Manufacturing solution offers a variety of additive/hybrid functionalities, including toolpath strategies for designing intricate conformal cooling in a multi-axis machining setup.
Maintaining a Competitive Edge: EDM, Automation and Machining Technology Roundup
This month’s technology roundup features products, processes and services relating to EDM, automation and machining. For example, jig grinding for large molds, scheduling automation software, cobot integration, die sinker EDM and much more.
MoldMaking Technology's Most-Viewed Content 2022: Products
MMT shares the five top-viewed technologies, equipment and services of 2022 in each Engineer, Build, Maintain and Manage tenet based on Google Analytics.
CAM Software Automation Recognizes, Remembers and Standardizes Complex Process Flows
For the everyday mold builder, Open Mind Technologies’ hyperMILL software with automation technology and a comprehensive Automation Center make it easier to define and adhere to manufacturing standards.
Modular, Flexible CAM Speeds Five-Axis Programming, Boosts Profitability for Moldmaker
P and C Tool improves mold quality, minimizes secondary processes, takes on new business opportunities and increases profitability with new integrated CAM software.
IMTS 2022 in a Flash
With this still being the month of IMTS, I thought I’d highlight some of the technology mold builders have expressed growing interest in and are actively investigating, and what was on the show floor.
IMTS 2022: From Precision Products & Professionals to Podcasts & Parties
Four years since the last IMTS and this 2022 event served up plenty of product line expansions, technology enhancements, candid conversations about business challenges and deep discussions about using technology and training to stay competitive.
Ten Things You Need to Know about Circle Segment Milling
Considerations for evaluating if circle segment end mills or conical barrel cutters are right for your mold machining applications.
Mold & Die Workshop Co-Hosted by Three Leading Companies
The Mold & Die workshop – hosted by Emuge-Franken USA, GROB Systems Inc. and Open Mind Technologies – will be held on July 20, 2022 at the Emuge Technology Center in West Boylston, Massachusetts.
Customized CAM Strategies Improve Five-Axis Blow Mold Machining
The proper machining process and workflow can impact blow mold production, making your CAM software selection critical.
Repair, Repurpose Tooling in One Process with Hybrid/Additive Manufacturing
Open Mind Technologies offers an Additive Manufacturing capability option to hyperMILL to support 3D printing/additive processes, such as DED, WAAM and laser powder.
Metalworking Technologies Targeting Mold Builders
Inspection/measurement, cutting tools, design software, machining and automation equipment round out this technology roundup.
Three CAD/CAM Automation Advances
Feature-, attribute- and script-based CAD/CAM automation ease programming and skilled labor challenges.
Open Mind Technologies, Haimer Join Forces to Five-Axis Machine an Aluminum Panther
Open Mind provided its hyperMILL CAM software and Haimer its flour-flute cutter and a linear five-axis machining center for a 20-inch panther to be showcased by the Augsburger Panther hockey team.
CAM Software Optimizes Blow Mold Manufacturing
The hyperMILL software suite from OPEN MIND Technologies meets demanding blow mold requirements with automation processes, data import, efficient programming and NC code simulation.
CAD/CAM Software Augments Machining, Data Feedback, Convenience
The 2021.2 hyperMILL update from OPEN MIND Technologies enhances virtual machining, additive manufacturing, 3D finishing and hyperCAD-S features.
OPEN MIND Technologies Celebrates 25 Years of CAM Software Achievements
North American subsidiary reaches important milestone with hyperMILL CAD/CAM system, supporting Industry 4.0 initiatives and formidable consultation and services.
Technology Roundup: You'll Only See It Here!
MMT presents a compilation of digital-only new/proven product content. Cutting tools, machining, AM, software and inspection/measurement categories are showcased in this latest roundup.
Integrated CAM Solutions Improve CAD Data Access and Reuse
Integration of HOOPS Exchange, with OPEN MIND hyperMILL and hyperCAD-S tools maintain product manufacturing information and data integrity.
CAD/CAM Software Suite Enhancements Optimize Machine Tools and Molds
Latest hyperMILL 2021.1 CAD/CAM software suite updates offers several innovative features for efficient 3D, 5-axis and mill/turn machining
MoldMaking Technology's Top-Viewed October Content: Proper Cleaning, Efficiency and Troubleshooting
The MoldMaking Technology team has compiled this list of the top five items that you, our audience, have looked at the most. Check out these five items from October.
How to Select the Right Programming CAM Software for Directed Energy Deposition in Mold Repair and Modification
Selecting the right programming CAM software improves the use of directed energy deposition to repair and modify tooling.
Optimized Virtual Machining Enhances Mold Manufacturing
Virtual machining programs simulate computed tool paths as well as optimize machine tool capabilities and constraints, adding value to the computed tool paths.
Software Includes 3D, Five-Axis Machining Enhancements
Open Mind Technologies offers the advanced capabilities of hyperMill 2020.1 CAM software, including powerful 3D and five-axis machining enhancements for complex machining applications, including mold and die.
Software Enables Hybrid and Additive Manufacturing in One Process
OPEN MIND Technologies AG offers an additive manufacturing (AM) capability option in hyperMill CAM software to support 3D printing/additive processes that also provides efficient hybrid processing with simultaneous additive and subtractive processing on one machine.
OPEN MIND Technologies Announces Additive Manufacturing Capability
Open Mind Technologies AG announces it offers an additive manufacturing capability option in hyperMill CAM software to support 3D printing/ additive processes.
Latest Software Version Offers Process Reliability
Open Mind Technologies AG introduces hyperMILL 2019.2, a new version of its comprehensive CAD/CAM software suite.
Noteworthy News: Congrats are in Order
From anniversaries to new hires to awards, MoldMaking Technology has the latest news in industry success stories.
Tech Trends: SOUTHTEC 2019 Sneak Peek
Attendees at SOUTHTEC 2019 will have the change to discover latest technologies and services to help them grow their businesses from Open Mind Technologies AG, Hexagon Production Software, Mazak Corporation and Rego-Fix.
OPEN MIND Celebrates 25 Years
Open Mind Technologies AG celebrates its 25th company anniversary this year.
CAM Software Speeds Programming and Optimizes Production
Precision Mold and Machining Services gains more control, accuracy and capacity, and better surface finish, with high-performance CAM software.
Amerimold 2019: Software Solutions for Moldmaking
Looking for software options that are developed for moldmaking? Amerimold had plenty in store for attendees and we bring you some highlights here.
2019 Technology Review: Software
MoldMaking Technology’s July 2019 Technology Review and Sourcing Guide offers some of the latest highlighted products and services from supplier companies from a variety of categories, including software.
Software Offers Range of Features and Enhancements
Open Mind Technologies will showcase the advanced capabilities of hyperMILL CAM software at Amerimold.
OPEN MIND, GROB Announce Five-Axis Machining Technology Seminar
OPEN MIND Technologies USA announces a joint Five-Axis Machining Technology Seminar with Grob Systems.
Five-Axis Workshop Offers Advanced Strategies, New Products and Live Demos
Three companies collaborate to give attendees new approaches for achieving speed and efficiency in rough and finish machining.
Reducing Risk to Implement CAM Software Successfully
Following a training and implementation period, new software technology can provide a strong return to the business and be key to long-term success.
CAM Software Accelerates Complete Machining
Standard parts supplier and moldmaker Knarr Group (Helmbrechts, Germany) leverages Open Mind's CAM software to maximize productivity.
Open Mind Announces Partnership with Okuma
Open Mind Technologies announced it has joined the Partners in THINC collaboration, founded by Okuma America Corporation.
IMTS 2018: Process,Technology and Service Advancements
Advancements in automation and digital manufacturing took center stage during IMTS last week, but developments in additive manufacturing, cutter technology, machining solutions, simulation software, EDM, laser technology and customer service were other hot items.
2018 Technology Review and Sourcing Guide: Software
MoldMaking Technology’s annual Technology Review and Sourcing Guide is an accurate, comprehensive, easy-to-read and easy-to-use use guide for researching today’s technology, equipment, products and services. The year’s latest moldmaking product developments within mold engineering/design, build and maintenance/repair are broken down into 10 sections, including software.
Open Mind to Feature Advanced CAM Software Capabilities at Amerimold
Open Mind Technologies AG highlights the capabilities of hyperMILL CAM software in Booth 123 at Amerimold.
CAD Software Automates Die-Sinking Electrode Manufacturing
Advanced CAD/CAM software with dedicated electrode design capabilities greatly reduces electrode design, modeling and manufacturing time.
Technology Tuesday: A Mix of Machining Products
Cruise through this week’s Technology Tuesday slideshow to see the latest products in machining.
Software Technology Is More Versatile, Efficient and Simplified
Software suppliers are working diligently to provide moldmakers with relevant but easy-to-use solutions that speed processes and lower costs.
Technology Tuesday: Automation Fuels Productivity
Cruise through this week’s Technology Tuesday blog to see ways in which automation is boosting productivity and efficiency in moldmaking.
Improving Five-Axis Mold Finishing Operations
In an interview with MMT’s European Correspondent Barbara Schulz, Open Mind’s Peter Brambs explains how its five-axis tangent plane machining strategy can achieve time savings of up to 90 percent.
Technology Showcase: On Display at EMO 2017
EMO is a large, international metalworking tradeshow with thousands of exhibitors. Check out the slideshow to see what will be on display!
Technology Showcase: Machining, AM and Software
With Amerimold in our rear-view mirror for the time being, there are still several new products that have been released, or will be soon, to bring to MMT readers’ attention.
Technology Showcase: Case Studies
Here’s a Technology Showcase review of past case studies that you may have seen, but that may also be worth another look.
CAM Software/Machine Matchup Saves Time, Boosts Efficiency
A five-axis machining center and better CAM software helped this mold shop dramatically improve throughput and profitability.
Broadening CAM Applications for Barrel Cutters
This alternative cutting tool geometry, along with the right CAM software, can help moldmakers reduce finish-machining times.
5X Tangent Plane Machining
The ball end of a barrel cutter cleaning a corner feature, and then the barrel cutter quickly covers the surface.
Slideshow: EMO 2015
Here are some highlights from this year's event.
Barrel Cutters Going Mainstream?
This CAM developer is gearing up to release a new toolpath strategy for new standard-issue, circle-segment cutting tools that promise big gains in tool life, surface finish and cycle time.
CAM Automation is a Process, not a Goal
Automated NC programming requires a strategy to yield improved productivity, quality and consistency.
CAM Reduces Cycle Time when Machining Mold Bases
Feature recognition, CAM capabilities and machine controller interaction can reduce cycle time when machining mold bases.
CAM in Action
CAM demonstrated via a tire mold and shoe sole mold machining application.
Roughing Software
hyperMAXX
Four Key 5-Axis Programming Developments for Moldmakers
Recent advancements in CAM software offer new benefits while maintaining ease of use.
CAM Software Market Leaders Named by CIMdata
NC Market Analysis Report for 2010 Released.
Powerful CAM Software
OPEN MIND’s hyperMILL has always been a powerful CAM software product that enables the realization of complete machining in one system, even for complex geometries, supplying huge advantages for the user. hyperMILL enables the programming of 2D, 3D, HSC, 5-axis, and mill-turn strategies using a single interface.
The Benefits of a 4+1 Machining Process
The benefits of 4+1 machining can better the results of 5-axis machining: overall cutter life, cutting time and surface finish are improved.
Software Enhances Advancing Technologies
CAD/CAM’s improved features and new capabilities—combined with the latest in technologies like high speed and five-axis machining, new cutting tools and 3-D technologies—allow moldmakers to achieve the highest quality in the shortest time.
Maximizing Machine Tool Potential with CAM Software
Identifying specific items where CAM software can take advantage of machine capabilities to the benefit of the user and maximize exploitation of milling machine potential.
Automation and Moldmaking: Streamling Processes
Automation is coming into the forefront as moldmakers are on the hunt to automate with software and equipment to streamline processes for optimal productivity—and quality.
How to Achieve Economical Five-Axis Milling
Although moldmaking has not had great incentives to invest in five-axis technology like the aerospace industry, there are still many reasons for moldmakers to adopt five-axis machining, and there are a few interesting software functions that help to make five-axis programming economical.
Five-Axis Machining Is a Key Requirement for High-Precision Molds
Design and fabrication capabilities of advanced tool-cutting processes give toolmakers an edge in developing new business.
The Feature Technology Feature of CAD/CAM
CAM software should have forward looking features that allow you to work in a traditional programming approach and to step up into a more organized environment that includes storing process knowledge and corporate experiences.