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Kipware SketchPad

 

 

 

This Chapter will deal with some information specific to Kipware® SketchPad - Conversational CAD/CAM application.

 

For complete video training for Kipware® SketchPad ... please visit our Video Training Catalog through the link below :

https://www.kentechinc.com/Kipware_Video_Training_Catalog/index.htm

 

 

The Kipware® SketchPad has been designed to be a simplistic drawing application ... with the capabilities to convert those drawings or DXF imported files to G code programs quickly and easily. It was not our intention to create a CAD/CAM application ... there are more than enough of those cluttering the market. Our intention was to focus on the CAM portion and for the SketchPad to be a companion application to Kipware® conversational.

 

Whereas Kipware® conversational is designed to create G code programs for the simpler, everyday type workpieces without having to create a CAD drawing ... we also realized that not every workpiece can be programmed in this manner. Sometimes the contour or workpiece to be programmed cannot be described in a conversational, fill-in-the-blank form. It is for these instances that we created the SketchPad companion to Kipware® conversational.

 

This Chapter will outline some of the design thoughts, features and use of the Kipware SketchPad in creating G code programs for "non standard" type shapes. Below is a general outline and description for some of the options available on the main menu screen.

 

 

Design Concepts of the Kipware® SketchPad :

 

Since the primary design of Kipware® conversational is to create programs for "standard" shapes through the conversational, fill-in-the-blank forms ... the SketchPad's primary use is for contours and shapes that are not "standard". Drawing tools and features concentrate on creating G code programs for those types of shapes. Unlike CAD/CAM where the complete part drawing is created ... including features that may not even be machined and dimensions ... the SketchPad only wants to be concerned with the contour or the toolpath. It has no use for dimension lines or features that will not be machined ... users should not attempt include them in the sketch. Likewise ... when importing a DXF file ... unused elements and dimensions should not be exported nor included in the DXF. When creating a sketch ... users should try to make a contour with a continuous flow. When using the drawing tools ... start at one end and draw a continuous contour to the other ... this is the best drawing approach for the SketchPad.

 

 

 

 

 

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