All posts by Kenney Skonieczny

I'm proud to say that I am a 3rd generation machinist ... I became a CNC Applications and Service Engineer / Manager for Yamazen and then Mori Seiki USA ... and I then took my acquired skills and entrepreneurial drive to start my own business in 1986. Since then ... Kentech Inc. and Kipware® software has become a leader and pioneer in machine shop software. Every day I strive to improve our products ... service ... and machining and machinists around the world.
Kipware® Programming Software, New Product Release Information

New Conversational 3D Menu for KipwareM® [ Tapered Straight Edge ]

We are always following up on user requests.

Our conversational 3D menus for KipwareM® have truly been a game changer for a lot of our clients … allowing them to create G code programs to machine “standard” 3D shapes like cones, troughs, curved surfaces, tapered holes, edges with radii and more … without having to rely on expensive and complex CAD/CAM software. Packed with powerful, real world machining features … KipwareM® 3D programming has proven to be groundbreaking, innovative and in-demand !!

Since it’s introduction in 2013 … many clients have suggested new “standard” shapes and we have tried to answer the call when we feel the shape requested would be beneficial to the general community. Our TAPERED – RADIUS EDGE is one of those that has proven to be quite popular and widely used by our clients.

But recently I handles a phone call where the client asked “Do you have a 3D menu to chamfer an edge?” I though to myself … geez we should have. But low and behold we had one for a radius but not a chamfer. Blew my mind … and I immediately reached for the Development Whiteboard and added that for immediate development.

I’m happy to report that as of June 15th, 2019 … the KipwareM® 3D option now contains conversational menus for BOTH cutting a radius tapered edge and a straight tapered edge.

It has already proven quite useful with a good client of ours how wanted to cut a radius tapered edge … but was looking for a quick way to rough out the shape before finishing. Using the straight tapered edge allowed him to utilize a fairly large step-over to rough out the material … then come back with the radius tapered edge with smaller step-overs to finish the contour with a nice smooth finish.

In addition … we revamped the radius tapered edge to clamp the step down along the taper for the Z axis. Previously we had it set to clamp the Y axis … but for shallow angles the Y step created a greater Z step that proved to be too heavy in some instances. This new concept insures that the Z step down will be the one that is clamped … and the Y axis step will most often be reduced … not increased.

Always innovating … always improving … that is our promise !!

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.
www.KentechInc.com

Kipware® Programming Software, New Product Release Information

KipwareT® Conversational CNC Software – Enhanced Sub-Spindle Programming

Kentech Inc. is pleased to announce the release of new conversational CNC features for our KipwareT® – Conversational CNC Programming Software for turning. This latest release of Version 20.1.0 add enhanced conversational sub-spindle programming to KipwareT®.

Each conversational menu now contains a checkbox through which the user can designate the operation as a SUB SPINDLE OPERATION. This designation will cause KipwareT® to insert the appropriate M codes and sub-spindle spindle commands to insure that this operation is configured by the machine for cutting using the sub spindle.

All sub spindle M codes and commands are user configurable through the KipwareT® LIVE TOOL SETTINGS for complete machine compatibility. This design and feature makes configuring KipwareT® extremely easy without the need for post processors or custom designed posts.

In the above example the SUB-SPINDLE MODE ON / OFF commands and spindle CW command were automatically included in the G code program after the checkbox was used to designate the operation as a sub spindle operation.

As of this posting of 4/30/2019 … these new sub spindle features are shipping standard with KipwareT® when the SUB SPINDLE OPTION is purchased.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

Kipware® Programming Software, New Product Release Information

Kipware® Conversational Programming Software – New 4 Axis Drilling Option Released

Kentech Inc. is pleased to announce the release of a new 4 axis DRILLING menu created in response to a customer request. As with all 4 axis conversatinal programming option … this new menu is available STANDARD with KipwareM® Version 19.5.0 as of April 22, 2019.

Screen #1 – Cutting Parameters

Initiating this programming menu in KipwareM® displays the cutting parameter input screen. Along with standard inputs for stock diameter, clearance, feedrates, spindle speed, depth of cut and retract (peck plunging parameters) … the user can select from (3) available machining cycles.

PLUNGE Cycle : most closely resembling a drilling cycle where the cutter will feed down in the Z axis only. Inputting a DEPTH OF CUT and RETRACT AMOUNT will initiate a peck drilling routine … whereas 0 values in these fields will initiate a straight drilling cycle.

POCKET Cycle : selecting this cycle will first execute a drilling / peck drilling cycle as defined using the PLUNGE cycle parameters … then a pocket mill cycle will execute including circular entry and exit to insure smooth machining and a smooth side wall finish to open up the hole diameter. This cycle is best executed when machining larger holes greater than the cutter diameter.

BOTH : selecting this cycle will begin the hole machining with a drilling / peck drilling cycle as defined like a PLUNGE cycle … and then execute a pocket milling cycle at the final Z depth to open up the hole diameter. This cycle is best executed when peck drilling to depth is required and the hole diameter is greater than the cutter diameter.

Screen #2 – Hole Locations

Once the cutting parameters are defined … user have the ability to define an UNLIMITED number of hole locations through the HOLE LOCATION screen.

Each location can include an X axis and Y axis coordinate … going beyond just center line operations … along with different Z depth coordinates … to avoid “air machining” … and 4 axis angular coordinates. In addition a different hole diameter can be included for each location … allowing the user the ability to program a wide variety of hole locations and diameters in one operation and with one menu.

We are always developing new options and new power for our Kipware® conversational. We were happy to work closely with this client and many others to develop new menus to help save them time and increase their programming efficiency.

KipwareM® Version 19.5.0 is now shipping with this new programming menu standard.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

Kipware® Programming Software, New Product Release Information

Kipware® Conversational Milling and Turning – New Releases for DXF Import and Multi Diameter Turning

Kentech Inc. is pleased to announce the release of (2) new features for KipwareM® – Conversational CNC Programming Software for Milling and KipwareT® – Conversational CNC Programming Software for Turning.

KipwareM® – Easy Hole Location Import from DXF Files

We have expanded the DXF hole location import options for both ID HELICAL MILLING and ROUND POCKET conversational menus. This new feature allows user to auto-import hole locations using a DXF file.

If the user has to machine round pockets or perform ID helical milling operations at multiple hole locations … they can now import those locations through a DXF file.

Options have already existed to auto-create a BOLT CIRCLE, GRID PATTERN or HOLES-ON-A-LINE pattern … but now locations can easily be imported using the READ DXF LOCATIONS option. Using this feature … KipwareM® will scan a DXF file for any and all POINT elements in the DXF and import those X and Y locations into the form. When the G code program is created … KipwareM® will auto program all locations for either the HELICAL MILLING or ROUND POCKET machining operations as described in the conversational form.

The number of hole locations is UNLIMITED making this feature a huge time saving when performing complex hole operations at multiple locations.

KipwareT® – Easy check for MULTI DIAMETER Turning Configurations

KipwareT® contains the easiest and most powerful conversational programming option for multi-diameter turning on the market in our SIMPLE TURNING and SIMPLE BORING menus. Our menu allows the user to describe an UNLIMITED number of OD or ID diameters to rough / finish turn … all with an unlimited and all user defined chamfer and / or radii options at all corners.

Making this option even more user-friendly and easy to program is the new VIEW SHAPE option. User can use this feature to quickly and easily visualize the finished contour as it is developed through the conversational menu. At any time while describing the shape … the VIEW SHAPE feature can be employed to visually see the shape described. Changes or alterations can then easily be made directly in the conversational form and re-checked using the VIEW SHAPE option.

All new features are currently shipping standard as of this writing.
The current Version of KipwareM® at this writing is 19.5.0
The current Version of KipwareT® at this writing is 20.0.0

User within their (6) month UPDATE window can request a new build by submitting a SUPPORT TICKET request here : https://kipwaresupport.on.spiceworks.com/portal

User can view UPGRADE pricing and purchase options through this link : Kipware UPGRADES

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

Kipware® Programming Software, New Product Release Information

KipwareT® New Release [ Sub Spindle Conversational CNC Programming ]

Kentech Inc. is pleased to announce the release of the conversational SUB SPINDLE programming option for KipwareT®
KipwareT® now offers conversational sub spindle programming where users can create TRANSFER and CUT-OFF TRANSFER cycles and G code cutting programs all conversationally using fill-in-the-blank forms.

For complete information on this upgrade we have prepared a video presentation which has posted to our YouTube channel … KTSoftware

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

Kipware® G Code Conversion Software, New Product Release Information

Fanuc to Fagor G Code Conversion Software [ New Release ]

Our CNC XChange applications have helped thousands of clients around the world overcome the “control incompatibility” issues between Fanuc … Okuma … Haas … DMG Mori … Mazak … and more … G code formats for equipment on their shop floors.

Kentech Inc. is now pleased to announce the release of our latest version of CNC XChange that can auto convert Fanuc and “fanuc compatible” G code to Fagor format for 2.5 and 3 axis milling programs. All models of Fanuc controls are supported as the “convert from” format … and Fagor models 8055 / 8037 / 8060 / 8065 / 8070 are supported as the “convert to” format.

An option is also available to auto convert Fanuc MACRO B code to Fagor Variable Prgramming format.

For additional information and an in-depth look at how CNC XChange operates … we offer a brief release / informational video below.

Please visit www.KentechInc.com for more information on CNC XChange and ALL our Real World CNC / Machine Shop Software products.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

Kipware® Programming Software, New Product Release Information

KipwareM® New Release : Auto Tool List Creation

We are pleased to announce the release of our auto-tool list creation feature for KipwareM® – Conversational CNC Programming Software for milling.

As the name describes, this feature will create a tool list for tools used in the currently developed program and includes for every tool in the program :

  • Tool #
  • Height Offset #
  • Cutter Compensation Offset #
  • Tool Diameter
  • Work Offset

This information is critical in set-up and users have the ability to have that tool list created :

  • And inserted directly into the G code program as text blocks at the start of the G code
  • Displayed in the KipwareM® EDITOR where it’s contents can be edited / added to directly in the Editor and also to have the ability to print the Tool List from within the Editor.

Below is a video link that illustrates this new feature in action :

Auto tool list creation is now shipping standard with all new KipwareM® orders … and is available in all KipwareM® UPGRADE purchases.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

General, Kipware® Programming Software

Product Review / Comparison — G-Wizard Conversational vs Kipware® Conversational

If you do a google search for “conversational cnc software” … one of the displayed option is for a product from CNCCookbook called G-Wizard Conversational CNC. OK then … if you’re taking up market space then you are fair game … so let’s see what it is.

Conversational CNC is part of the G-Wizard Editor package. The editor is a G code creation / editing / plotting application and the conversational “wizards” allow you to create snippets of G code to be inserted into the editor as you build a G code program. It truly is what I would call a “wizard” … quite limited in scope with only a very few simple operations available for G code generation. CNCCookbook touts that “conversational CNC is free during beta testing” … you can see why. The product hasn’t changed much in over two years and seems to be something that has lost the interest of the developer. However … as I stated above if you’re taking up market space … you are fair game for an honest and thorough review.

Here’s a quick video of our review of the TURNING wizards …

A couple of other annoying / unprofessional “features” :

(1) It outputs TONS of lines of code … most simply messages … but if your control has limited memory capacity … it’s an issue.

(2) There doesn’t  appear to be any way to go back and edit code that was already created through a wizard … you have to start all over again in a new instance of the wizard. KipwareT® allows for complete recall into the conversational menu or direct edit of the cycle G code created.

(3) Roughing and finishing are always done … doesn’t seem to be any way to select ROUGH only or FINISH only … both are independently selectable in KipwareT.

Overall … the look and feel of G-Wizard conversational is that of a “wizard”. It will generate snippets of G code but is very limiting and without many options if you are trying to use it as a replacement for complex CAD/CAM for simpler workpieces … and there is no DXF import if the shape you are programming has some non-standard features.

DUMP the WIZARDS …
GO PRO with Kipware® Conversational

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

General, Kipware® Programming Software

Product Review / Comparison : CAD/CAM vs. Kipware® Conversational [ Fusion 360 vs Kipware® Conversational ]

FACT : Using a CAD/CAM system to program the simpler, everyday workpieces is costing you money.

FACT : CAD/CAM OVERKILL is real … and is costing shops in labor hours and dollars.

FACT : CAD/CAM was NEVER designed to be a G code generating tool first and foremost … it is a design tool first and foremost. If you’re not designing … DUMP the CAD and KEEP the CAM with Kipware® conversational.

FACT : Fusion 360 may be cheap … but even FREE software can disrupt efficiency and productivity if you can’t produce G code … and chips … in a timely manner.

Here’s the proof :

Get the low down on real world software that can save you time and money … Kipware® conversational … at our website : www.KentechInc.com

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

General, Kipware® Programming Software

True Conversational Programming for a Tormach CNC Mill and Lathe [ Kipware Conversational CAM for Tormach ]

Did you know that KipwareM® and KipwareT® will allow you to program your Tormach PCNC Mill and / or Slant-Pro Lathe completely conversationally?

It’s true. KipwareM® (milling) and KipwareT® (turning) are 100% compatible for programming your Tormach mill or slant-pro lathe RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX !! No “post processor” or anything additional is required.

Now some user will say that Tormach already includes “conversational” programming … but the fact is it is not TRUE conversational programming. It is what is more commonly referred to as a programming “wizard”. It allows you to create simplistic G code for simplistic shapes … not true robust conversational CAM like Kipware® conversational. Why limit yourself? … and your potential? … and for that matter, the type of work you can produce?

Simply put Kipware® conversational allows users to do more … kick your programming up a notch … be real world … such as :

(1) Create multi tool programs that can machine a workpiece complete with multiple operations.

(2) Import DXF files and create G code for non-standard shapes.

(3) Use professional programming and “best programming practices” like cutter compensation … canned cycles … and more.

We have hundreds of Tormach users who found the standard Tormach wizards too confining or limiting … and have graduated to real world programming with Kipware® conversational with great success.

If you are a Tormach owner or thinking about a Tormach purchase … we invite you to contact us at any of the options below to discuss in detail how Kipware® conversational can take your Tormach mill or lathe to the next level.

Want a Kipware® conversational crash course … click the link below to view our in-depth Kipware® conversational videos on our YouTube channel :

Milling : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQjgskQuLfsSSOaztXUfV7Namy7iGoT8M

Turning : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQjgskQuLfsS8j4Wb72o_fRGloXIIPzDw

Contact us by voice in the USA : 508.754.1198

Contact us via email : Sales@KentechInc.com

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.