This Chapter will deal with some information specific to KipwareCYC® - Machining Cycletime Estimating Software
For complete video training for KipwareCYC® ... please visit our Video Training Catalog through the link below :
https://www.kentechinc.com/Kipware_Video_Training_Catalog/index.htm
This chapter will deal with some general operation notes and offer some hints for operating KipwareCYC®.
Database Notes :
•The capacity of all KipwareCYC® databases is unlimited ... any number of machines or material cutting parameters can be stored.
•Databases are loaded when the software is started.
•It is recommended that if you intend to add or alter a database, you perform the required operation and then re-start KipwareCYC® prior to using the new information in an estimate. This will ensure that all data is populated and up to date as you create an estimate.
•The Cutting Parameter Database is based on the general principal that when executing a specific machining operation on a certain material, users have a favorite insert or cutting tool that is preferred. Following that principal, the database is designed so that the user has the ability to enter up to (10) commonly used tools and cutting parameters for the major machining operations associated with a material. For example ... the user prefers to use an 80 degree and / or 55 degree specific grade insert when rough turning 303 stainless steel. Selecting the rough turning operation for 303 stainless will revel (10) sub categories for listing speeds and feeds. The user can then enter the specific SFM and IPR for both the 80 degree and 55 degree insert configurations. That still leaves the user with (8) additional sub-categories to populate if needed.
•Note that in the Cutting Parameter Database there are two operations whose name can be set by the user. the names are set using the fields located in the SETTINGS. One option uses SFM and IPR for parameters (usually a workpiece turning type operation) and the other uses an IPM parameter (usually for a cutting tool turning type of operation).
•The information stored in the Machine Parameter Database can be manipulated to reflect different scenarios. For example ... the same machine can be stored with different MAX X Stroke and MAX Z Stroke which can make the RAPID TIME calculations slower or faster. A user might utilize this typo of set-up if they machine very long as well as very short workpieces on the same machine.
•Interfacing with KipwareQTE® : to interact and interface directly with KipwareQTE®, machine names entered into the KipwareCYC® MACHINE DATABASE and the KipwareQTE® WORKCENTER DATABASE MUST BE identical. When a cycletime is created in KipwareCYC® and then imported into KipwareQTE® ... the labor costs are calculated by comparing workcenters used in the cycletime estimate with workcenter hourly rates and efficiency factors contained in the KipwareQTE® workcenter database. If the machine names don't match completely ... those comparisons and calculations will not take place.
General Software Operations :
•The best method to move from field to field is by using the TAB key. Enter the information in the field and then press the TAB key which will act like the ENTER key and will move the cursor to the next field.
•When performing a turning operation ... in the Operation Data screen ... the "average tool or work diameter" field should be used to reflect the average diameter of the area being machined. For example ... if you are turning a shaft with a major diameter of 3" and a minor diameter of 1" ... the average diameter would be roughly 2". Although not specific, this system does allow for easier data input and the slower minor diameter RPM and FEED combined with the faster major diameter RPM and FEED will combine to still yield an accurate result.
•When a previous estimate is loaded ... the user will need to calculate or re-calculate at least one operation for the all the cycletimes to become available. Simply load a previous cycletime, open the cycletime estimate operations to operation #1 ... and select calculate. Now any cycletime operations and it's associated times can be viewed.
•Deleting, Copying and Re-Ordering operations can be done in the VIEW OPERATIONS screen.
•Although the design of KipwareCYC® is to yield a cycletime estimate for a single part ... viewing multiple part cycletimes can be achieved using the MULTI PART MILL and MULTI PART TURN options in the top menu bar. These options will allow users to see possible time advantages when a fixture or 4th axis indexer or multi-spindle turning center are employed. Cycletimes for multi-spindle turning centers can be manipulated and then saved to reflect the time using the multi-spindle center ... which essentially means all operations on the faster spindle are eliminated leaving only the operations on the slower spindle as part of the cycletime estimate.
•User can utilize the RUN TIME CALCULATOR option to obtain rough calculations for total hours ... total days ... and total labor cost for specified scenarios using previously created cycletime estimates or specific manual inputs. RTC also interfaces and can read machine hourly rates and efficiency ratings from the machine cost database in KipwareQTE®.
•NETWORK USERS ... although not supported for use over a network, KipwareCYC® provides a SETTING which allows users to store the KipwareCYC® database files in a central location and then use this setting to point KipwareCYC® to look in the designated location and use the database files located there. This allows multiple users to all utilize the same database files for consistence and accuracy. To accomplish this ... copy all database file ( files with the extension .DAT ) and place them in the selected central location on the network. Then each user should open the SETTINGS page in KipwareCYC® and point the DEFAULT DATABASE PATH to this central location. Re-starting KipwareCYC® will make that setting and the contents of the centrally located databases to become active.
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