Tag Archives: machine shop quoting

New KipwareQTE® Release – Auto Quotation and Invoice Numbers

Version 17.0.0 of KipwareQTE® has been released as of 9/30/2020.

This version now includes the ability to configure KipwareQTE® to use auto quotation numbers and auto invoice numbers when creating these two reports. In addition … the user can configure these values to be auto incremented whenever the software closes.

The first to set up this feature is through the KipwareQTE® SETTINGS page … a screenshot is below.

Checking the checkbox will allow the software to load the configured current values for quotation and invoice reports when the software loads. Unchecking these values will allow the user to configure the values manually on each form when required.

The user can also configure the CURRENT NUMBER and INCREMENT value for both quotations and invoices.

When the software closes … the user is now presented with a screen that gives the ability to auto increment the values for either or both quotations and / or invoices.

Checking the appropriate box will cause the software to auto increment the current value by the increment value configured in the SETTINGS.

Version 17.0.0 of KipwareQTE® is shipping standard as of 10/01/2020.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

New MRP Features Released for KipwareQTE® [ Simple MRP and Cost Comparison for Machine Shop Estimating ]

Kentech Inc. is pleased to announce the release of Version 16.0.0 of our KipwareQTE® – Machine Shop Job Costing and Estimating Software.

With Version 16 we have moved beyond just quoting and estimating and have included optional modules that integrate with KipwareQTE® to provide cost review and analysis as well as real time material resource tracking and planning.

KipwareCRM® – Cost Review / Analysis Module

KipwareCRM® was developed to allow users to see clearly estimated costs vs. actual costs between what was estimated and was was actually utilized in production. This module will give users a clear view of profit and loss for each of the major areas of quoting with KipwareQTE® – material, tooling, labor and non-machining costs.

Users can load a previously created KipwareQTE® estimate and either load a report that can be generated either on the shop floor or use manual inputs to create an ITEMIZED or GENERAL analysis for each area. Through these features actual costs incurred during production can be entered … and KipwareCRM® will create a cost analysis to reflect profit or loss for each area.

The screenshot above illustrates a sample cost analysis showing profitable areas in blue and non-profitable areas in red. The costs analysis is a complete itemized breakdown to keep your quoting and estimating on track.

KipwareMRP® – Real Time Material Resource Tracking

KipwareMRP® was developed to integrate with KipwareCRM® and to allow for real time material resource tracking and planning. The KipwareMRP® module can be installed on an unlimited number of computers on the shop floor to allow shop floor personnel to input resources used in production in real time. Items like number of inserts used, number of bars used, number of end mills used, time spent deburring, or packing can be logged into the report from KipwareMRP®. That report can then be loaded into KipwareCRM® and used to auto-generate a cost report / analysis against the original KipwareQTE® estimate to view profit and loss.

As illustrated in the above screenshot, KipwareMRP® allows for tracking of material … perishable tooling … labor … and all non-machining hours that are applicable.

You can watch an in-depth video on KipwareCRM® and KipwareMRP® below :

As with ALL our software … KipwareCRM® and KipwareMRP® bring cost analysis and resource planning and tracking to the Real World. Without the clutter, the big bucks or the unnecessary complexity … any size manufacturer can realize realistic and profitable quoting … estimating … and production with KipwareQTE®.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

Keys When Estimating Machining Cycletime

At Kentech Inc., we have spent a lot of time over the last 25+ years working and perfecting our KipwareCYC® – Machining Cycletime Estimating Software.  KipwareCYC® started out as a resource for estimating cycletimes for machine purchase justification. Clients would come to us with the request to estimate machining time based on equipment they were considering purchasing. THIS WAS A BIG DEAL to be sure. The client was going to lay down some serious cash to purchase  a new piece of CNC equipment … based heavily on our cycletime estimate to machine their workpiece on that equipment.

Well over the years we have produced quite a few happy clients … enjoying a nice revenue increase thanks to those cycletime estimates and new equipment purchases. So we know a little about accurate machining cycletime estimate … from hands on experiences.

Two of the main factors we have used over the years to incorporate into our machining cycletime estimating are :

  1. Cutting  parameters used in the estimate MUST reflect the speeds and feeds being used on your shop floor during the machining. Using book knowledge … pie in the sky parameters … other people’s data and processes … will only lead to inaccurate estimates. This is one of the fundamental keys to accurate machining cycletime estimating. You can read more about our feelings on this issue in our previous BLOG post  … CLICK HERE to read that post.
  2. The time that a tool is actually engaged in the cut … the “length of cut” … is the most accurate way to estimate that tool’s cutting time. Using other factors like volume of material being removed … does not accurately reflect a tools cutting time. The volume of material being removed does not reflect the path the tool takes in the cut … only the amount of material being removed. The path the tool takes in the cut … the true length of cut … is the only factor that will produce an accurate cutting time.

Our KipwareCYC® application always has used a tools length of cut when calculating cutting time. Coming from the shop floor … we also realize that this is not an easy factor to obtain. That is why we created our companion app for KipwareCYC® … the Cut Length Calculator. This ingenious application uses a mix of conversational, fill-in-the-blank forms as well as the ability to import DXF files yto assist the user in calculating a tool’s length of cut quickly and easily. Our patented Machinist Mode transforms the mouse into a cutting tool … all the user need do is click around the part to simulate the cutter path … and CLC will turn that into a length of cut calculation … for either turning or milling calculations.

For more information on the Cut Length Calculator … included standard with KipwareCYC® … we invite you to watch the video below.


Quoting and estimating is the lifeblood of your business … and any accurate quote begins with an accurate machining cycletime estimate. It is undoubtedly STEP #1 !!

We invite you to check out all the features and power of KipwareCYC at our website … https://kentechinc.com/kipwarecyc/.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.