From the emphasis on 'high speed' to the emphasis on 'high quality', the transformation and upgrading of China's economy bred challenges and opportunities. In the manufacturing and processing industry, the share of five-axis processing equipment is growing rapidly, in order to meet cost and time pressures and quality requirements. The increasingly important issue of five-axis machining has become an important factor in determining the competitiveness of the company. How to give 'five-axis' opportunities, For business managers, it is time to re-examine the company's development strategy.
After 10 years in the Chinese market, the German CAD/CAM software developer OPEN MIND and its hyperMILL software will truly usher in the 'Golden Age'. They are most adept at simplifying complex five-axis machining programming and use it effectively and reliably. The solution helps the customer achieve the processing goal. OPEN MIND will open up the Chinese market with more perseverance, empower the development of Chinese companies, and help China to upgrade manufacturing.
Around the topics of changes in the Chinese market, industry trends, and future strategies of the company, Mr. Wu Qi, general manager of OPEN MIND China, shared some of his ideas and thoughts.
Picture: Mr. Wu Qi, General Manager of OPEN MIND China
Q: What changes have you observed in the Chinese market? Where can you improve?
A: Especially in the past two years, the wave of large-scale investment in equipment has passed, and investment in upgrading high-end equipment and special capabilities is being strengthened. Five-axis machining equipment has been more widely used since its inception, and its contradiction is also From 'Don't hit the plane, you can use it like it', it translates into 'use it fast and well.'
Machines that are not working do not produce benefits. However, many companies have not yet realized the potential of their five-axis equipment, and do not even know what their potential is. Data from our machine partners show that the effective processing of its vertical machining centers in China The average time share is only 20%. In other words, in the face of rising labor costs, such a low return on investment will undoubtedly cause companies to struggle into survival.
With the potential of five-axis machining, CAM software is not only crucial, but its impact on the entire production results may even be beyond imagination. We have assisted customers in shortening the processing time of one part from three hours to two hours. , 50% ahead of the competitor's delivery time, so as to win business opportunities. Modern production management is a complex system engineering, if only focusing on specific production efficiency, product quality, it is the ability to limit the CAM, narrowed. Optimizing production and improving 'process capability' is the current need for the management of business managers to strengthen, CAM can do more.
Q: OPEN MIND has been in China for 10 years. What is the greatest value it can bring to customers in the Chinese market?
A: Before officially setting up an office in China, the first user of hyperMILL software in China was Xi'an Aero Engine Group. It has always been the backbone of China's aviation equipment manufacturing. Tianjin Xinweixiang Company is currently the company with the largest number of applications. From the establishment of the factory to the expansion, from 3-axis equipment to 5-axis equipment, to the KUKA robotic intelligent online horse... The new requirements arising from each step of the business upgrade, OPEN MIND can meet the requirements from product, technology, service, etc. 10 years together, the two sides shared the storm has become a partner. Fortunately, when the new Lantech will expand into India, Serbia, is also still choose OPEN MIND cooperation.
For the past 10 years, we have grown up with our customers here. We have continuously accumulated energy and have an unmatched technical service team.
I remember that there was a customer who had invested in four large turning and milling complex machining centers to prepare wind power related parts and components. However, in order to survive, they began to try to process large-scale integrated impellers. The first processing task was due to process problems and They had the limitations of the software. Three months later, the critical dimensions were still not in place, and they had to give up. The loss was huge. Two months later, when the second time there was a chance to make a titanium alloy impeller with a diameter of 650mm This customer found us to seek help and expected to complete the processing within one month. With the cooperation of the OPEN MIND technical team, the actual processing time was only 6 days. A senior customer commented: “You are not selling software. Instead, I was responsible for the results of my processing. Your understanding of the process is so thorough, it is amazing and it convinces me. 'It is this trust that inspires the team to make unremitting efforts to help achieve the customer's goals.
CAM has a high technical threshold in this field, a small market size, and requires continuous innovation from the perspective of user value. Since more than 20 years ago, OPEN MIND has created the first CAD/CAM system that can be used for five-axis machining, and has always been adhering to it. 'The ultimate pursuit of processing' development concept, Today, as an independent, professional, CAM-focused technology company, our software product hyperMILL covers almost all of the user's processing needs - all operations, from 2.5D, 3D, Five-axis milling and turning and milling complex machining tasks, HSC and HPC machining, regardless of the complexity of the workpiece, can use hyperMILL software to facilitate programming in a convenient, intuitive way, so that simple, safe production. Even included in the increase and decrease In material composite manufacturing, we have cooperated with a number of machine tool industry giants and have launched commercial solutions. In addition, the hyperCAD-S software we developed is a CAD tool designed specifically for CAM programmers with the aim of CAM programming. More convenient and powerful.
Q: What are the strategic layouts of OPEN MIND for Industry 4.0 and China Manufacturing 2025? What are your plans for the development of 2018?
A: At present we have three aspects of exploration to share.
The first is virtual machining technology. Last September, OPEN MIND launched the hyperMILL® VIRTUAL Machining virtual machining solution. The five-axis machining tasks are mostly small-batch, multi-variety, often require trial cuts and adjustments, and are expensive in equipment and high in product value. Under the double pressure, the biggest challenge is how to realize the processing safely and efficiently. hyperMILL® VIRTUAL Machining virtual machining technology. By establishing a 100% consistent simulation environment with the on-site processing and two-way communication with the processing equipment, all processes can be inspected in advance. In order to eliminate possible problems, advance correction of the problems that may occur, greatly shortened production preparation time and avoided the occurrence of various risks. In addition, hyperMILL® VIRTUAL Machining virtual processing technology can even realize remote control of machine tools on the computer. We can use the machine like a printer.
The second is automatic programming. In CNC machining companies, many CAM programmers deal with a large number of different but similar artifacts every day. hyperMILL can generate templates based on the typical characteristics of the workpieces to achieve automatic programming. Automation not only frees humans, but also can Help companies better apply standardization and promote best practices.
Thirdly, it is the hyperMILL® MaxxMaching innovative high-efficiency processing technology that we recently promoted in the domestic market. hyperMILL® MaxxMaching innovative and efficient processing technology is a complete package including efficient roughing, high-efficiency finishing and efficient hole machining. It has been verified and widely accepted - it can increase roughing efficiency by 75% and finishing efficiency by 90%. It can also improve processing quality, reduce tooling costs and reduce machine tool wear, while significantly reducing processing time. At the exhibition in Shanghai in June, we will carry out on-site processing with machine tools and tool partners to jointly demonstrate these powerful functions. We would like to welcome you to visit and witness.
In 2018, we will provide more active training for our customers. In addition to basic training at regular high-density, we will also open more advanced open training courses to help users increase their understanding of 5-axis machining; Machine tool partners, through customer open days and other activities, more actively demonstrate our leading applications in five-axis machining. At the same time, we will continue to cooperate with vocational education institutions to cultivate professional talents, sponsor professional skills contests, and promote the development of the industry. Continue to contribute.