Category Archives: New Product Release Information

This category contains posts related to information for new released features for all Kipware® software titles.

New Enhanced Kipware® ONLINE MANUAL and VIDEO TRAINING Sites Up

Over the last months we have been hard at work enhancing and updating our video training site and adding a new OnLine Manual site that covers all Kipware® titles. We have updated and enhanced the internal, behind the scenes structure that will make it easier for us to add and update content on a more regular basis.

Both sites will forever be a work in progress … but that’s what it means to provide our clients with the most up-to-date content for training.

You can access the new Kipware® OnLine Manual through this link :  https://www.kentechinc.com/Kipware_Manual/index.htm

You can access the updated Video Training Site through this link : https://www.kentechinc.com/Kipware_Video_Training_Catalog/index.htm

In addition … most Kipware® software titles have direct access to these sites directly from the software by clicking the VIDEO or MANUAL links in the menu bar of the software.

Both sites are browser based but follow the same structure as most Windows HELP applications. They are extremely easy to navigate through the menu on the left side of the screen. In addition, a new SEARCH function is available to help users find content faster and easier.

As mentioned, we will be constantly adding and updating content as needed …. so check back often.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

New Release : Unlimited Grooving Options in Conversational OD ID Grooving Profiles [ Conversational CNC CAM for Turning ]

Creating corner chamfers and radii on OD or ID grooves can be a challenge. Whether programming these profiles manually or through a complex CAD/CAM package … hitting the correct dimensions and tolerances is a tough task.

That’s why we have invested considerable time, effort and testing in the newest feature of our KipwareT® – Conversational CAN Programming Software for Turning … OD, ID and FACE GROOVE PROFILING.

Through a simple conversational or fill-in-the-blank form … users can easily describe any chamfer or radius on the outside corners … any radius on the ID corners …  and have KipwareT® auto-generate the profiling toolpath in seconds … all the math, all the calculations are done automatically in seconds. The best part is if actual cutting conditions cause an out-of-spec part … changes and revisions can be made in seconds … all done conversationally … and sent back out to the machine for prove-out.

KipwareT New Grooving Features Released
KipwareT New Grooving Features Released

Now we all know that “ideal” numbers don’t result in an “ideal” part, Cutter deflection … cutter pressure … cutting conditions can all cause a deviation from desired specs. This new feature in KipwareT® makes any alterations or edits to bring the actual dimension into spec quick and easy.

Below is a video illustrating the grooving options available in KipwareT® :

This new feature in KipwareT® will make anyone … novice or beginner programmer … a grooving master in no time.

You can check out all the features of KipwareT® conversational by a) visiting our website HERE
(b) visiting our YouTube channel HERE

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

New Release : Backturning Options in KipwareT® [ New Turning CNC CAM Conversational Features ]

Kentech Inc. is pleased to announce the release of Version 21.0.0 of our KipwareT® – Conversational CNC Programming Software for Turning.

This version release includes (2) new backturning menu options for both STRAIGHT and TAPER turning. 

STRAIGHT Backturning Menu

TAPER Backturning Menu

As with all KipwareT® conversational menus, these new menus offer the user multiple options to create powerful G code programs. The user has the ability to select from the following :

  • Rough and / or Finish cutting … create separate operations or combine roughing and finishing with the same tool.
  • Turning ( cutting along the Z axis ) or Facing ( cutting along the X axis ) type cutting … and these can be different for roughing and finishing.
  • Any configuration with any taper can be defined in the menus.

Version 21.0.0 is shipping standard as of 12/10/2019 with these new backturning menus options a standard, included feature.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

New Length of Cut Calculators for CLC [ New Release ]

We have been touting for years that calculating the amount of time a tool is actually engaged in the cut is the best method to use when calculating machining cycletime. Cycletime based on things like “volume of material removed” are not as accurate as using length of cut … and we all know that if the cycletime isn’t accurate … if speeds and feeds are not based on what actually happens on YOUR shop floor … you might as well just guess the time. Your cycletime will not reflect the time that will be achieved on YOUR shop floor … so what’s the use?

Our KipwareCYC® has always been built on the length of cut feature … and the newly released version 11.1.0 of our Cut Length Calculator app for KipwareCYC® makes it even easier for users to calculate length of cut. CLC is , of course, a standard app that is included free with KipwareCYC®.

Here’s a breakdown of the new calculators :

 

#1 

We have included new 3D calculators for milling which can calculate length of cut for complex 3D milling operations as shown above. Using just a few simple inputs … the powerful calculations in CLC will auto calculate the tools length of cut.

#2

All pocketing menus now include the option to specify an island or number of islands that may be contained in the pocket. This feature is available is square / rectangular pockets as well as round pockets. After intense testing … a simple description of the outline of the pocket in round or rectangular format has proven sufficient enough to produce an accurate length of cut … without having to go overboard and describe an island shape greater than just contained in a square or rectangle or circle.

Again … the point of cycletime estimating is to produce an accurate estimate … without spending too much time or going overboard in terms of complexity.

#3

A new taper cutting feature has also been added on the turning side … to enable length of cut for tapers which the user may feel is not covered accurate enough using the various straight turning options in CLC. Again … simple inputs employ powerful behind-the-scenes calculations in CLC to produce the length of cut.

These new menu options are now shipping standard with KipwareCYC® as of this writing. Users who wish to UPGRADE to the latest version of KipwareCYC® which includes the latest version of the Cut Length Calculator … click here.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

Conversational C Axis Polar Interpolation for Live Tool [New Feature in KipwareT® ]

August 12, 2019 – New release

Kentech Inc. is pleased to announce the release of Version 20.2.1 of KipwareT® along with Version 12.0.0 of the Kipware® SketchPad.

These two new versions have enhanced C axis polar interpolation features for live tool turning centers. Although Y axis turning centers are the newer version of CNC lathes that include live tool milling, our clients have told us that they are still purchasing older live tool centers that have C axis milling capabilities and no Y axis features.

As a result of these numerous requests for conversational C axis milling features … we have added new capabilities to both KipwareT® and the Kipware® SketchPad.

The following video example illustrates some of the new features and capabilities.

These new features create G code compatible with Haas … Fanuc … Okuma … and all “fanuc compatible” controls straight out of the box. No “post processor” or anything additional is required … as is the case with all Kipware® conversational output. Complete user configurable settings … and the ability to select DIAMETER or RADIUS programming … insure that users can further configure M codes and other machine specific functions for their specific machine and control.

We invite you to visit www.KentechInc.com for more or contact Sales@KentechInc.com to arrange a live, online demonstration to see the complete range of Kipware® conversational features.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech inc.

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

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® 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® 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.

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.