From NC programming to the shop floor – with hyperMILL® and Hummingbird
Key Takeaway
hyperMILL® delivers high-quality NC programming, while Hummingbird complements it on the shop floor. As a product of the OPEN MIND Group, Hummingbird bridges the gap between NC strategy, planning and production, helping manufacturers make effective use of their existing capacity. Its modular structure allows companies to introduce the system step by step through four key components, creating a digital manufacturing platform tailored to the demands of complex single-part and small-batch production.
From NC strategy to successful manufacturing
CAM users apply considerable expertise to create reliable toolpaths and NC programmes. hyperMILL® enables the creation of high-performance NC programmes, precisely tailored to the machine, tool and component. In practice, however, success is not determined by the CAM system alone. As soon as an NC programme leaves the CAM department, factors such as planning, priorities, machine availability, tool stock and feedback from the shop floor all come into play. This is precisely where traditional CAM software ends.
Hummingbird bridges this gap by ensuring that NC programmes reach the shop floor at the right time, on the right machine and with the necessary resources available. The result is greater process transparency, fewer queries and more effective production planning, even in high-mix manufacturing environments. For companies using hyperMILL®, Hummingbird is therefore a natural addition, helping them make the most of their existing production capacity.
Hummingbird – a modular approach to complex manufacturing
Hummingbird was developed as a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for production environments where orders, priorities and capacity utilisation are constantly changing. Rather than imposing a rigid MES across the entire organisation, Hummingbird takes a modular approach. Modules can be introduced where they deliver immediate value. Each module can operate independently while also forming part os an end-to-end process chain. This allows the system to evolve in line with production requirements without disrupting existing processes or requiring costly changes to established workflows. Particularly in single-part and small-batch production. This results in an MES that adapts to the realities of the shop floor, rather than the other way around.
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Hummingbird MES at a glance
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Agile planning options, from high-level to detailed
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Seamless integration with hyperMILL®
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Modular design
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Modules tailored specifically to hyperMILL®
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Low IT requirements
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The agile Hummingbird MES system
A modular MES for Digitalizing your Manufacturing Processes
Hummingbird in the OPEN MIND ecosystem
Hummingbird is a product of the OPEN MIND Group and is firmly anchored within its technology ecosystem. OPEN MIND has been developing high-performance software for NC programming for decades and is well established in demanding manufacturing industries worldwide. Hummingbird builds on this understanding of processes and fits seamlessly as an integral part of a coordinated software ecosystem for digital manufacturing.
For users, this provides confidence and peace of mind. Being part of the OPEN MIND Group combines innovative strength with long-term reliability, making Hummingbird a trusted component of modern manufacturing strategies.
MES FAQ: In a Nutshell
What is a CAM-centric Manufacturing Execution System (MES)?
A CAM-centric Manufacturing Execution System (MES) connects ERP planning with actual operations on the shop floor. It coordinates jobs and resources in real time while providing the relevant technical manufacturing data from a central source.
Why do we need an MES if we already have ERP?
ERP and MES perform different, complementary roles: ERP handles high-level planning, while MES controls jobs and resources at daily and hourly level. This makes shop-floor deviations such as downtime, delays, or missing resources transparent and provides direct access to the programs and information required for production.
How long does an MES implementation take and what does it cost?
For a mid-sized manufacturing company, implementation typically takes around three months per module. The modular approach supports a gradual rollout with manageable costs, without the effort associated with a large-scale ERP project.
How does Hummingbird differ from other MES solutions?
Hummingbird is modular by design and tailored to the requirements of CNC manufacturing. Its close integration with hyperMILL® enables a fast, smooth implementation and gives companies the flexibility to expand their MES solution step by step.