Volvo chooses hyperMill CAM software for prototyping

Volvo Cars, the Swedish vehicle manufacturer, has selected Open Mind’s hyperMill CAM (computer aided manufacturing) software for the company’s Gothenburg-based model-making, prototyping and design group. Dean Palmer reports

Volvo Cars, the Swedish vehicle manufacturer, has selected Open Mind’s hyperMill CAM (computer aided manufacturing) software for the company’s Gothenburg-based model-making, prototyping and design group. In a three-month trial, five Volvo engineers used hyperMill in Catia to produce models of mirrors, door locks and other parts for a new vehicle currently under development. According to Volvo engineers, the major advantage of hyperMill is its full integration with Catia 4.2.2, allowing them to generate NC programs directly within the CAD environment. Changes made to CAD models are automatically included in the NC programs for moulds or prototypes. “Lead times are shorter than before and the next project can be started while the previous one is still in progress,” says Volvo’s NC-specialist, Anders Hjelm.