KipwareCYC® – New Release – Multiple Part Machining Time Estimating

The design of KipwareCYC® from the start has been to assist users accurately create machining time estimates for their workpieces … and has been based on creating that time to machine one part from start to finish. Estimates are created while users walk the part through each machining operation for each machine required … creating a time to complete each operation on each machine.

This release of version 7.0.0 of KipwareCYC® now includes the ability to take that single part estimate and research and calculate how that single part time will be effected by using :

  • Multiple pieces in a fixture
  • Multiple fixtures
  • 4th axis or tombstone fixturing using multiple pieces per side of the tombstone while machining multiple sides of the tombstone
  • Multi-axis spindle and multi-turret turning centers
  • Swiss style turning centers

Making use of many of our proprietary formulas already employed inside KipwareCYC® … rapid time, cutting times and handling times ( indexing times ) can now be easily incorporated through the use of these new features and the Multi-Milling and Multi-Turning option screens.

Details are outlined in detail below … or you can watch the video :

MILLING OPTIONS

mill_screenUsing the MILLING option … users have the option of choosing either a MULI-FIXTURE or INDEXER type set-up. Using the FIXTURE TYPE option … users can define

  • # of pieces per fixture
  • # of fixtures
  • distance between the fixtures

Using the INDEXER type option ( designed for HMC’s utilizing a tombstone or 4th axis indexer ) … users can define

  • # of pieces per side of the tombstone
  • # of sides that will be used for machining
  • Indexing time of the table or 4th axis indexer.

KipwareCYC® will then auto-calculate the additional RAPID TIME, CUTTING TIME, and HANDLING TIME ( indexing time ) required and present the user with all the new calculations for comparison. This new feature will not only produce a  more accurate cycletime for multiple parts … but will allow the user to research and compare what might be the better fixturing options to employ.

TURNING OPTIONS

lathe_screen

The TURNING option was designed with multi-spindle and multi-turret type as well as swiss-style turning centers in mind. The cycletime on a multi-spindle machine is in essence the time for that turret with the longest machining time. In KipwareCYC® the user now has the ability to move operations between the turrets to define that turret’s cycletime … and in essence the cycletime to machine the part that was originally estimated using a single spindle machine.

The user is presented with a drop-down list of all the operations from the estimate created for the single spindle machine … and can then move the operations between turrets to find the optimum time and sequence of operations.

Estimating

What does it all mean?

In addition to quickly and easily turning a single part machining time estimate into an estimate for multiple parts on multiple fixtures or time using a more powerful and capable machine … users have new power to research and explore the best machining option to obtain the optimum machining time available on their equipment.

These new features are … once again from Kentech Inc. … cutting edge and innovative. These options coupled with the proprietary formulas employed inside KipwareCYC® give users added power and flexibility to not only win more work … but win more profitable work.

Kenney Skonieczny – President

Kentech Inc.

 

 

 

Web Search Popularity VS. Reality

When you do a Google SEARCH … what is the “thing” that makes you visit a site in the list?

  • TOP result? … First name on the list.
  • Description provided under the site name? … “We have exactly what you searched for!”
  • “Big name” recognition … “Wow Home Depot has it!”
  • Paid Ads … those ads on the top or side of the list.

Whatever your preference … in today’s day and age … it really is BUYER BEWARE.

Definitely the SEARCH results should and will pull you into the site … but once there … you need to really be your own person. Why do we say that? Basically people and companies PLAY the system … they PLAY the search engines and play the search results. Google and Bing and all the rest try their best to make the playing field fair … but, of course,  the digerati know the rules and play the system. Do you hate how “the big banks” play the system … how government and lobbyists play the system … this really is no different.

And what does it mean for internet content … popularity doesn’t translate into quality.  Companies or websites touting the fact that they are first on Google … get a million hits … billions of visitors … whatever … are sometimes strictly touting their success at playing the system. Popularity doesn’t necessarily translate into Quality.

I would like to highlight (2) main issues to make my point :

TOP SEARCH RESULTS

TOP Results can be influenced by flooding your site with information and using key words on the site or in blog posts on the site so that no matter what a user searches for … as long as it’s “in the ballpark” … your site will fair favorably. Let’s take our genre of CNC for instance. If I load my site with articles about CNC machines … programming … software … cutting tools … things I don’t even know anything about … blah … blah … blah … there’s a pretty good chance my website and name are gonna be bouncing off the searches left and right. I have all the bases covered by using all the key words that I can find in the genre of CNC. But just because that site is top of the list … doesn’t mean that it’s the best or has quality products … or has even the right products for you. It just means some digerati may have flooded his website with crap that has some vague relationship to the topic you are interested in. Don’t be fooled by these people and companies that play the system … sure visit the site if you want but just don’t think that it is at the top of the list because it’s the best.

SEARCH & SITE DESCRIPTIONS

Once the site is found and listed … under the URL is a brief description of the content of the site … or what’s suppose to be the content of the site. This description is provided by the site in the HTML code … so again … site owners play the system. Since the description is one of the things “bots” ( the robots that crawl the sites for Google, Bing,  Yahoo or whomever ) look for .,.. site owners load the description with not what is necessarily the theme of the webpage … but rather what will get the most favorable listing from the bot.  Again … digerati paying the system.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR EVERYONE ELSE

As a business owner and website developer … getting listed in the search engines near the top so we can get visibility and hopefully attract some business is a major task we struggle with every day. It is the essence of success for an online business. Businesses and people that play the system make our life … our job harder … and our survival harder every day.  BUT ONE THING WE WON’T DO IS PLAY THE SYSTEM. We are committed to keeping our search results as accurate and on the up and up as possible. Maybe we won’t be the first on the list … but you can rest assured that we will conduct our internet content just like we conduct the rest of our business … ethically and honestly.

OK … rant over. Thank you … I feel better.

Finally … Thank you for coming to our website or our Blog. Thank you for investing your valuable time in exploring our products. I believe that you found our website or Blog because we actually have products or services or information that you were honestly searching for … I hope we do … and I hope you agree.

Kenney Skonieczny – President

Kentech Inc.

Kipware® Compatibility with Inventables ShapeOko and X-Carve

As word gets out about the ease-of-use and power of KipwareM® conversational CNC programming software … we are starting to get more and more inquiries from the MAKER community concerning one of the more popular MAKER machines out there … the ShapeOko and now the X-Carve from Inventables. Clients want to know if the code generated by KipwareM® is compatible with the G code requirements for the X-Carve.

Looking and researching the extensive information available from Inventables … we can find the information below :

“The X-Carve is using GRBL81 An open source, embedded, high performance g-code-parser and CNC milling controller written in optimized C that will run on a straight Arduino. Standard g-code is supported.”

While GRBL81 is still basically operational and functional … it also appears to be in a state of constant development and enhancements. Great job guys !! It is still a very basic system … but it does support basic standard programming … G01/G02/G03 … and is completely compatible with the KipwareM® standard output.

Conversational

Here is a list of G codes for GRBL81 … and all supported out-of-the-box by KipwareM® :

“The G-code interpreter implements a subset of the NIST rs274/ngc standard and … linear, circular and helical motion are all fully supported.”

  • Supported G-Codes in v0.9i
    • G38.3, G38.4, G38.5: Probing
    • G40: Cutter Radius Compensation Modes
    • G61: Path Control Modes
    • G91.1: Arc IJK Distance Modes
  • Supported G-Codes in v0.9h
    • G38.2: Probing
    • G43.1, G49: Dynamic Tool Length Offsets
  • Supported G-Codes in v0.8 (and v0.9)
    • G0, G1: Linear Motions
    • G2, G3: Arc and Helical Motions
    • G4: Dwell
    • G10 L2, G10 L20: Set Work Coordinate Offsets
    • G17, G18, G19: Plane Selection
    • G20, G21: Units
    • G28, G30: Go to Pre-Defined Position
    • G28.1, G30.1: Set Pre-Defined Position
    • G53: Move in Absolute Coordinates
    • G54, G55, G56, G57, G58, G59: Work Coordinate Systems
    • G80: Motion Mode Cancel
    • G90, G91: Distance Modes
    • G92: Coordinate Offset
    • G92.1: Clear Coordinate System Offsets
    • G93, G94: Feedrate Modes
    • M0, M2, M30: Program Pause and End
    • M3, M4, M5: Spindle Control
    • M8, M9: Coolant Control

While there is still a lot of functions … like spindle control … that is dependent on the controller and it’s set-up … KipwareM® can support most modes and set-up … out-of-the-box.

Using the unique “Post Editor” in Kipware® conversational … users can easily create the auto-output of the HEADER lines required for the GRBL language. The G code output needs to place an initialization block at the beginning of your program to set all of the G-code modes explicitly for your program. These are things such as mm/inch modes ( G20/G21) , incremental/absolute modes (G90/G91), feedrate modes(G94/G95), plane selection (G17-G18-G19), or work coordinate system (G54-G59). These can easily be set-up in the Kipware® conversational Post Editor.

It also appears that DRILLING cycles are not yet included … but KipwareM® gives you a standard, long hand G code output capability for drilling that will enable you to go beyond the Inventable’s EASEL programming software and create drilling operations for your machine. All from a fill-in-the-blank format.

Users are referred to use the UNIVERSAL G-CODE SENDER application that is written in JAVA that will send the G code and communicate with the machine to run the G code created outside of Inventables EASEL application. You can get additional information on the Universal G Code Sender HERE.

As of this post writing … Kentech Inc. is looking into the possibilities of purchasing an X-Carve from Inventables and testing and developing our KipwareM® software to be more and fully compatible with the X-Carve.

So stay tuned … we are looking forward to an opportunity to work with Inventables and their equipment … and the MAKER community. It should be a fun ride

You can check out KipwareM® by CLICKING HERE.

Kenney Skonieczny – President

Kentech Inc.

Machine Shop Quotation Tracking … The Difference Between Trudging Along and GROWING.

Let’s face the facts … shall we. If you are like most shop owners :

  1. You do your best to make sure that you get your quotes and estimates out the door on time and as accurate as possible.
  2. Once the quote is sent … you might even follow-up with a phone call or email … sometimes.
  3. You might even check to see what quotes are outstanding … occasionally.

But the dirty truth is … You don’t REALLY track and analyze your quoting and estimating process … DO YOU ??

If the above show fits … we invite you to click the link below and watch our fun and informative animation on our KipwareTRK – Quotation Tracking and Analyzing Software.

As the animation points out :

  1. KipwareTRK® is a completely user-configurable software application that allows users to quickly and easily analyze their quoting and estimating process.
  2. KipwareTRK® will present you with views and information on your quoting and estimating process that you never dreamed of. Information that will help you to find the weaknesses … the problems … so you can formulate a process to address them and keep your business and your profits strong.
  3. Users can create an UNLIMITED number and type of sort and search criteria … so you’ll see what you want to see … when you want to see it. Having access to the data that will be presented to you through KipwareTRK® can be the difference between growing your business … winning profitable work … or just trudging along.
  4. When used in seamless conjunction with our KipwareQTE® – Quoting and Estimating Software … you don’t even have to do anything to build the database of quotes and estimates that will be tracked and analyzed. When you create a quote in KipwareQTE® it can be automatically added to the KipwareTRK® database.

We invite you to look at your quoting and estimating process in a new light … and in new ways … with KipwareTRK®. Please visit our website or YouTube channel through the links below for additional information and video presentations on all our Kipware® Business Software titles.

Estimating

Website : www.KentechInc.com/KipwareBusinessSoftware.html

YouTube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/user/KTSoftware

Kenney Skonieczny – President

Kentech Inc.

Kipware and the MAKER Culture

Since the early 1990’s, Kipware® software has been assisting varieties of professional machinists and professional machine shops work around the bloated, overpriced, “big name ” software guys by creating and providing a line of what we refer to as “REAL WORLD” machine shop software. Called REAL WORLD software because they were born from what we saw was missing and needed as we worked and gathered our experiences over last roughly 30 years. We are proud of both our contributions and the reputation we have acquired in the thousands of professional machine shops around the world.

But times are changing. CNC is now more available “to the masses” than ever before. And the new MAKER culture is spreading like wildfire. It gives us great pleasure to see people using their “tinkering skills” in various engineering and metalworking endeavors … and qwe salute all the MAKERS and in all forms.

maker logo
Go Get ‘Em MAKERS … Make It Happen !!

BUT A QUICK NOTE : Please note that while we encourage and support the MAKER community … we have loathe and disgust for the term “hobby machinist”. Having apprenticed and worked many long and hard hours / years to obtain the title MACHINIST … I do not give the title away frivolously. Simply because someone “tinkers” with metal in some hobby or “for fun” project … IMHO … does not thus make them a MACHINIST. Just like the simple fact of brushing your teeth does not make you a “hobby dentist” … or the fact that you replaced a plug-end does not make you a “hobby electrician.” You wouldn’t think of using those terms … being a machinist is no different. OK … Nuf Said … just one of my pet peeves.

Does Kipware® Have a Place in the MAKER World?

We think it certainly does. Are we saying that just ’cause we’re trying to sell you? I don’t think so … and here are a few reasons why but judge for yourself.

  • Kipware® conversational is a great CAM alternative for bench-top milling machines, all type and sizes of routers and homemade or professional lathes … allowing you to quickly and easily get the simpler, everyday brackets, mounts, couplings and the like programmed and machined in short order … without the need for CAD or even a drawing.
  • Although CAD may be in the cards for most design work … and there are tons of FREE drawing apps out there … the heavy priced and complex CAM end is a turn-off for some MAKERS. Kipware® conversational … which can be had on a Subscription basis for a little over $200 … will give you all the power without the financial down-side.
  • We designed Kipware® conversational to output generic and basic G code … so no need to fuss with CAD/CAM type post-processors. The majority of the code output out-of-the-box by Kipware® conversational is compatible with about 98% of the machines out there … home made or professional. Mach3/ Mach4, LittleMachineShop, Tormach, PathPilot, Carbide3D, Intructables, Probotix … and most anything similar.
  • Many “hobby machines” tout their canned “wizards” and even some external software “wizards” are available for purchase. While the price may make then tempting … don’t be fooled. They are so overly simplistic that given your aptitude for going the MAKER route in the first place … you will outgrow these simplistic tools in not time … or they WILL hold back your potential.
  • Kipware® is a profesional CNC program creation package that is designed and priced to be easy-to-use … powerful … and will give you plenty of room to grow. We not only handle the “standard” type parts … the included conversational CAD/CAM Kipware® SketchPad can handle almost any type of non-standard shape.
  • Search the web and you may even find some “we give it away FREE during BETA testing” software … which I find incredible.  So … let me get this right … you want me to make junk and get frustrated, delay or ruin my projects because your software is not fully done and …. while I’m making junk you want me to test and report bugs and fix your software also ?? RIGHT !!! In what world is this OK ?? And another reason it’s FREE … it’s a hobby for them too and they don’t want to, can’t afford to or don’t want to be bothered to support the product. Kipware® is our LIFE and we Support all our software 24 / 7 / 365 … Nuf Said.
  • Decide to try and make some money off your labor? Our cycletime and cost estimating Kipware® titles will fit both your budget and your requirements very nicely. And as above … will give you features to grow into with the bloat.

Conversational

For these reasons and many more … if you are a member of the MAKER community … we would highly recommend a look at Kipware®. We have made plenty of resources available to help get you the info you need … here are a few :

Our website : www.KentechInc.com

Our YouTube Channel : KTSoftware

If you need anything further … the website has more resources … or you can always call and have a chat … 508.754.1198 Extension #1.

Kenney Skonieczny – President

Kentech Inc.

Conversational 3D CNC Machining with KipwareM®

Kentech Inc. continues to turn the conversational CNC programming software world on it’s head releasing unprecedented and powerful fill-in-the-blank programming options for it’s Kipware® conversational CNC programming software for milling and turning.

In late April, the most powerful and easy-to-use conversational TURNING and BORING menus hit the market for KipwareT® – Conversational CNC Software for Turning … bringing unprecedented ease of programming for complex shapes that can include unlimited and unbounded radii and tapers. The success has been unbelievable … thank you to all the professional machinists that have added true, powerful conversational CNC programming to their arsenals for their turning programming.

In 2014 Kentech Inc. released it’s ground-breaking conversational 3D options for KipwareM® – Conversational CNC Programming Software for Milling … the ONLY conversational 3D programming ON THE MARKET …. whether PC based or CNC control based !! In June … responding to a request from one of our clients … we created and added an option to create a bending die 3D menu. Using a simple fill-in-the-blank form,  users can create the G code to ROUGH and / or FINISH the MALE BENDING DIE using a 3D machining toolpath.

We are pleased to announce today the release of the FEMALE BENDING DIE option as the companion to the MALE DIE. Using the same powerful options and features as the MALE menu … users can create the G code program for the FEMALE side using only the simple, efficient fill-in-the-blank form as illustrated below.

conversational 3D CNC machining

As You can see from the screenshot … we have also included powerful programming options in this menu as well … just as in the MALE side menu. Options such as :

  • The ability to use EITHER a square OR ball end mill with the software automatically calculating all tangency points as well as the allowable depth to machine to insure the square end mill will not over-machine along the bottom radius.
  • The ability to ROUGH and / or FINISH in one or separate operations.
  • The ability to CONVENTIONAL and / or CLIMB mill for EITHER roughing or finishing operations.

female_bending_die_simulationWe are proud that Kipware® continues to set the bar for conversational CNC programming software … a bar that no other software company can even come close to touching.

Our commitment to our clients and our resolve to be the best … drives our developers to continue this trend with many new releases in the pipeline for 2015.

For an additional video look at all the groundbreaking and EXCLUSIVE 3D machining options available in KipwareM® … please take a few moments and explore our video link below.

Thank you in advance for considering KipwareM® for your programming requirements.

Kenney Skonieczny – President

Kentech Inc.

Dump the "wizards" and GO PRO with Kipware>