Leading Korean automotive manufacturer Hyundai has increased its investment in Delcam’s PowerMILL CAM system as part of a productivity drive aimed at making the company one of the world’s five largest automotive manufacturers by 2010.  The company believes that, in order to achieve this target, it must implement the world’s leading technology, including the best manufacturing software, within its tool- and jig-manufacturing operations. 

 Hyundai is unusual among the leading car manufacturers in that it still manufactures the majority of its press tools in-house.  Within these operations, the company is increasing its production volumes, while also working to shorten delivery times, optimise quality and improve productivity.  In addition, Hyundai expects its technology partners, including Delcam, to provide increased technical support to its suppliers so that they can also boost their productivity.

 Hyundai first selected Delcam software in 2000 after one of the most thorough series of benchmarking tests in the company’s history.  The company realized that it needed to change its CAM system following the introduction of high-speed machine tools at its main press tool manufacturing plant in Ulsan.  In particular, a system with a wider range of machining strategies was thought to be essential to give high-quality and high-efficiency results from the new machines.

 Sang Han Yu from the Hyundai Tooling Center highlighted a number of PowerMILL features that had proved especially valuable to the press tool operation.  "The main benefit has been a 60% saving in machining times,” he reported.  "We have seen a small increase in the programming times because we are using more sophisticated strategies, such as offset machining for roughing instead of raster machining.  Also, we are making much more use of rest machining and pencil finishing.  These also add to the programming times but give us a much better surface finish.  This means less hand finishing is required.”

 "Another benefit has been the improved control over cutting forces that we get from PowerMILL’s high-speed machining strategies,” he explained.  "This has significantly reduced tool wear and breakages, so saving time and money.  We often need to modify toolpaths when there is a change to the tooling design so PowerMILL’s powerful and flexible toolpath editing features are also essential.”

 Mr. Yu also stressed the value of the strong collaboration that has been built up between the users at Hyundai and the software developers, both with the local Hankook Delcam team and with the staff at Delcam’s Birmingham headquarters.  "Hankook Delcam provides a very fast customization service as part of the support we receive,” he said.  "Similarly, Delcam has developed many enhancements that we have requested to make the software even more productive in press tool manufacture.”