Category Archives: General

General musings and information.

General

Kipware Software – The FASTEST ROI (Return on Investment) in the MACHINING INDUSTRY

In today’s “trump economy”, every CNC machine shop is feeling  the pinch. From higher material costs to the ever widening skills gap, “trump’s economy” has caused havoc in the industry.

Now more than ever, it is imperative that when buying tools for your shop, you see a fast retun on investment (ROI) to recoup your costs as soon as possible.

KIPWARE software are just such tools. With the average total cost of a KIPWARE title at $495 … and the average shop charging $75 per hour … KIPWARE software only has to save you 6.6 hours before that total KIPWARE purchase price is recouped !! THAT is one of the fastest ROI’s in the industry.

YOUR KIPWARE ROI = $495 / $75 = 6.6 hrs.

Whether it’s quoting and estimating software or the industrry’s best conversational advanced CAM … KIPWARE software is one of the smartest purchases a CNC shop can make in the “trump economy”.

Don’t let 2025 end without making a real IMPACT PURCHASE for your shop … you know, a purchase that REALLY makes a difference.

Check it all out at www.KIPWARE.com

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

General

New KipwareM® Release – AUTO CHAMFERING

Kentech Inc. is pleased to announce the release of Version 25.0.0 of KipwareM® – Conversational Advanced CAM for MILLING. This release includes the new AUTO CHAMFERING feature which allows users to create chamfering toolpaths for multiple types of shapes with just a single button push.

Below is a in-depth video with more details :

Here is a link for a video short covering this new feature as well :

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/N_fbQ-jI1Ig

Version 25.0.0 is now shipping standard … for pricing and purchase info CLICK HERE.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

General, Kipware® Programming Software, New Product Release Information

New KipwareM® Feature COMING SOON !! Auto-Chamfering !!

We have received quite a few suggestions from user looking to add easy CHAMFER capabilities for KipwareM®. currently it is fairly easy to add chamfering to any menu shape … just offset the shape,  use the correct Z depth per the chamfer tool angle and use the FINISHING option to create a chamfering toolpath.

But we have created an AUTO CHAMFER routine that we will be applying to all KipwareM® menus in the coming months. With this new option, creating a chamfering routine / toolpath will be as simple as clicking the CREATE CHAMFER button on any KipwareM® menu … SOOOOO EASY !!

Here is a little video teaser …

Full release is set for mid-September 2025 … check the UPGRADE LOG at www.KIPWARE.com for up to the minute information.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

General

Why CNC G Code Conversion is the SMART CHOICE … Over Re-Posting and Re-Programming

The Core Message Why Convert Instead of Repost?

  • Save time and reduce downtime
  • Preserve proven toolpaths and edits
  • Avoid costly reprogramming or CAM software use
  • Lower risk of introducing errors

Business Impact — Quick Wins for Your Shop Floor:

  • 85% faster transitions between machines or shops
  • Zero CAM license needed for minor changes
  • Higher uptime for machines and operators
  • Lower cost per part for legacy runs

Cases Where G-Code Conversion Shines:

  • Moving old G code programs to new machine
  • Migrating proven parts to newer equipment
  • Sending jobs to suppliers using different controls
  • Reusing family-of-parts toolpaths with slight machine variations

Head-to-Head Comparison

Task Reprogram/Repost Convert G-code
Time to result 4–8 hours < 30 minutes
Required expertise CAM Programmer Machine tech
Risk of new errors High Low
Software license needed Yes (CAM system) No
Proven toolpaths reused? No Yes

Addressing Concerns

Objection Response
“Is it safe?” Proven motion paths are preserved and verifiable
“What if I need CAM logic?” Use CAM only when needed; convert for legacy/proven runs
“Will it affect quality assurance?” Converted code can be validated just like reposted output

Hybrid Strategy Smart Workflow = Flexibility

  • Use G-code conversion for speed and safety
  • Repost/reprogram only when geometry changes
  • Keep both tools in your toolbox

Case Study / Demo Opportunity Real-World Savings:

  • Converted 40-part legacy job to new machine in 1.5 hours
  • Avoided $2,000 in CAM reprogramming labor
  • Zero scrap on first run with converted code

Ready for the FUTURE of CNC PROGRAMMING?

Kipware® G Code Conversion is the ANSWER … learn more through the link below :

EXPLORE KIPWARE G CODE CONVERSION HERE

Kenney – Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

General, Kipware® Programming Software

Learn G Code While Making Parts With Kipware Conversational CAM

KIPWARE® Conversational CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software simplifies the process of programming CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines by allowing users to generate G-code through an intuitive, conversational interface rather than manually writing the code line by line. Here’s how it can help you learn G-code programming effectively:

1. Visual Feedback

  • KIPWARE® Conversational CAM provides a graphical interface where you can visualize toolpaths and machining processes as you input parameters. This immediate feedback helps you understand the relationship between G-code commands and the resulting machine movements.

2. Simplified Input

  • Instead of writing raw G-code (e.g., G01 X10 Y10), you use fill-in-the-blank menus like “hole” or “pocket” using natural language or simplified fields. KIPWARE® then generates the corresponding G-code, helping you see how specific operations translate into code.

3. Step-by-Step Guidance

  • KIPWARE guides users through each step of the process (e.g., selecting tools, defining speeds and feeds, choosing cutting paths). This structured approach builds your understanding of CNC programming fundamentals.

4. Editable G-Code

  • The generated G-code can easily be viewed and edited within the software. This allows you to learn by comparing your manual code attempts with the automatically generated code, giving insight into best practices and syntax.

5. Error Reduction

  • KIPWARE® Conversational CAM includes built-in error checking and simulation tools, helping you identify mistakes in your code and understand how to correct them without risking damage to equipment or wasting material.

6. Gradual Transition to Manual Coding

  • Once you’re comfortable using KIPWARE® conversational CAM, you can start manually modifying and writing G-code. Over time, this helps you gain confidence in coding directly while maintaining the safety net of the CAM system.

7. Real-World Applications

  • KIPWARE® conversational CAM teaches you how G-code applies to real-world machining operations. As you work through projects, you’ll learn the practical applications of commands like G02 (circular interpolation) and M06 (tool change), enhancing your theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience.

8. Integration with CNC Machines

  • The generated G-code is ready to be transferred to CNC machines for execution, allowing you to see how your learning translates into actual machining processes. Observing machine behavior reinforces your understanding of G-code programming.

By bridging the gap between theory and practice, KIPWARE® conversational CAM serves as a valuable tool for beginners learning G-code and for advanced users looking to streamline their programming process.

Learn more abut KIPWARE® Conversational CAM through the link below : https://kentechinc.com/kipware-programming-software/

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

General, Kipware® G Code Conversion Software, Kipware® Programming Software, Kipware® Quoting and Estimating Software

The 3 Biggest Obstacles Facing Machine Shops Today – And How KIPWARE® Solves Them All

Machine shops today face THREE major challenges, driven by technological advancements, market pressures, and labor dynamics.This article lays them out clearly … and gives you the good news of how KIPWARE® software can help solve them all. Let’s dive in !!

1. Skilled Labor Shortage

  • Problem: There is a shortage of skilled CNC programmers and with shops relying heavily on CAD/CAM … those operators are hard to find and are in short supply. In addition … entry level G code creators who are not experienced in CAD/CAM in general … and your CAD/CAM in particular … are being exclded from the CNC programming process.
  • Impact: These factors extremely limit productivity and increases the costs of production, and lead directly to production bottlenecks.
  • The KIPWARE Solution : By adding Kipware® conversational CAM to your CNC programming arsenal … you can get more people involved in the G code creation process and it requires no CAD/CAM, no drawing and even G code experience to quickly asnd easily create quality G code. This increase productivity … output … and increases your shop’s turnaround capability. And every clients is looking for faster turnaround.

2. Customer Expectations for Short Lead Times

  • Problem: Customers are increasingly demanding faster delivery and custom, high-quality products.
  • Impact: Machine shops must optimize workflow and  reduce downtime.
  • The Kipware Solution : Again, relying on complex expensive CAD/CAM and CAD/CAM operators slows down the CNC programming and G code creation process. Adding Kipware® conversationa CAM can help grow your shop through increased output, efficiency and faster turnaround.

3. Inceased Competition

  • Problem: Competition from low-cost shops, perhaps outside the U.S. especially in Asia, puts pressure on pricing and profitability.
  • Impact: To stay competitive, machine shops need to find ways to respond to RFQ’s faster …. but more accurate. The rush to assume AI will help generate quotes and estimates faster and easier is acually leading to just faster … inaccurate … money losing … quotes and estimates.
  • The KIPWARE Solution : Today’s shops have to find new tools to help generate both machining cycletime estimates and cost estimates and quotes faster and with hair thin margins … more accurate. Using over 40 years of real world machine shop experiences, KIPWARE quoting and estimating software are easily tailored to YOUR shop … to produce quotes and estimates that can actually be reproduced on YOUR shop floor. After all … if you cannot reproduce what is outlined in your cycletime estimate and cost quotation … you’re still guesstimating and still losing money.

These obstacles can create a complex landscape for machine shops to navigate, but they also present opportunities for innovation, improved efficiency, and differentiation from competitors. KIPWARE software are proven-in-the-trenches solutions for these opportunities.

Check out all the REAL WORLD Kipware® solutions at www.KIPWARE.com

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

General, Kipware® Programming Software

Kipware Conversational #CAM … It’s Like Driving a Sports Car !!

Kipware® Conversational CNC programming is like driving a sports car, while CAD/CAM is akin to driving an older car. Let’s break it down:

  1. Conversational CNC Programming (Sports Car):
    • Speed: Like a sports car, Kipware® conversational is agile and quick. It allows programmers to create CNC toolpaths directly at the machine interface without relying on complex software.
    • Flexibility: Just as a sports car can swiftly adapt to different road conditions, Kipware® conversational enables quick adjustments and modifications to machining operations on the fly.
    • Intuitiveness: Similar to how a sports car’s controls are designed for a seamless driving experience, Kipware conversational’s interface is user-friendly, allowing operators to input machining parameters without extensive training.
    • Efficiency: Sports cars are engineered for high performance; likewise, Kipware conversational optimizes machining processes for efficiency and productivity.
  2. CAD/CAM (Old Car):
    • Complexity: CAD/CAM systems, like older cars, can be more intricate and require a learning curve to master. They involve designing parts in CAD software and then generating toolpaths using CAM software.
    • Reliability: Just as an older car may require more maintenance and upkeep, CAD/CAM systems require regular updates and troubleshooting to ensure smooth operation.
    • Precision: CAD/CAM systems excel in producing intricate and precise machining instructions for complex parts and require extensive training to operate. When simpler parts are involved, that precision and training often removes good chipmakers from the programming process.

In essence, Kipware® conversational CNC programming software offers speed, agility, and simplicity akin to driving a sports car, while CAD/CAM provides the precision and automation capabilities reminiscent of an older car’s reliability and complexity.

We invite you to explore Kipware® conversational in more detail HERE.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

General, Kipware® G Code Conversion Software

KipwareXC® – The Intelligent Post Processor Alternative … Maybe Genius Level !!

One of the biggets, constant and universal struggles in machine shops around the world is the “control incompatibility” issue. G code formats between CNC controls are different … Fanuc different than Okuma … different than Fagor … different than Mazak … different than Haas … and on and on. The result is that G code created for one machine won’t run in a different machine … leading to re-posting … or re-programming … or worse.

But the GENIUS developers at Kentech Inc. have created the ultimate solution.

Kentech Inc. has been developing pioneering and ground-breaking G code conversion since 1986 when first commissioned by Raytheon Corp. to help with their shop’s control incompatibility issues. Those years of experience went into the development of both our KipwareXC® and Kipware® CNC XChange applications … resulting in easy-to-use and powerful conversion applications. thousands of shops around the world use KipwareXC® and CNC XChange to allow all their shop floor machinery to operate seamlessly … putting an end to the time consuming and error prone re-posting or re-programming of proven G code programs.

But what are the advantages of G code conversion software?

Kipware® conversion software is a bit mind blowing because not many similar type of applications exist. But once you see the advantages … it all becomes clear and makes enormous sense. Here goes :

  1. Proven G code running on the shop floor more often than not contains tweaks and edits that were needed due to cutting conditions, re-design or to just plainly increase efficiency. Converting that proven G code from one format to another using Kipware® means none of those nuance’s are lost … whereas re-posting or re-programming means basically going back to square one … resulting in hours of lost time and re-prove-out meaning non-productive machining.
  2. With the cost of post processors ever on the rise … Kipware® conversion allows users to generate G code using one post processor … and then convert that standard G code output into output compatible with other machines and controls with just a single purchase of an application like KipwareXC®.
  3. KipwareXC® allows users to create an unlimited number of PROFILES … the what-to-convert-into-what … and select the desired PROFILE at the time of conversion to auto-convert the original file to the new format.One purchase can handle an unlimited number of conversion scenarios.
  4. Since KipwareXC® is completely user-configurable … you have control of the output rather than being at the mercy of some CAD/CAM post processor developer.
  5. KipwareXC® and CNC XChange uses plain English and simple forms to tell the software what-to-convert-into-what. Editing a post processor usually requires some coding experience and the cryptic post-processor language is difficult to understand and edit. And making mistakes can have devestating consequences.
  6. Having the ability to easily and confidently convert proven G code into another format gives shop’s the choice to purchase the new machine that best fits their needs … not one that matches the G code format already in play. The ramp up time is much quicker because programmers don’t need to learn the new programming format as quickly … since they will be auto-converting proven G code to the new format and will be up and running while they ramp up.
  7. In order to re-post files from one format to another … the original CAD file must be accessable. Often times those files are not available or are outdated … with edits / changes made to the G code directly on the shop floor. Sinec Kipware® only requires the G code program … that problem is eliminated.
  8. Are you a machine tool sales professional? KipwareXC® and CNC XChange can eliminate the control incompatibility from your sales resulting in increased sales and happier clients.

The Genius of KipwareXC® as a Post Processor with Kipware® Conversational CAM

Kipware® conversational CAM has changed the landscape for thousands of shops around the world by freeing them from the “CAD/CAM only” model … by allowing more chipmakers to get involved with the evryday G code creation … and by speeding up the G code creation by eliminating the need for a CAD model or drawing as the starting point for G code creation. But here is the GENIUS of the combination of Kipware® conversational and KipwareXC® :

  1. Programmers use the same Kipware® conversational CAM interface to create G code. Kipware® creates Fanuc, “fanuc compatible”, Haas and Okuma G code out-of-the-box … no post or anything additional is required. For machines that are not “fanuc compatible” we offer KipwareXC® as an option at a reduced price.
  2. Users can continue to create G code using the same Kipware® conversational interface … regardless of what machine / control they are creating G code for … spend more time creating G code and less time learning software. Once the program is completed … they run that G code through KipwareXC® using the PROFILE desired … and the standard Kipware® output is auto-converted to the format desired.
  3. And KipwareXC® can be employed for ANY G code file … whether created in Kipware® conversational CAM or not … GENIUS !! That opens even more options to eliminate control incompatibility.

Using our years of G code conversion development means that many features have been employed in KipwareXC® and CNC XChange so the applications can handle any conversion scenario. Options have been developed to handle G code rigidly formatted created with a CAD/CAM system to unformatted G code created by hand programming.

It’s time to re-think the shop floor. Think about what it would mean for your productivity and profitability if all your shop floor machine’s ran seamlessly.

Interested? Check out all the Kipware® conversion titles through the links below … or give Kentech Inc. a call today and let’s re-imagine your shop floor.

More Info on KipwareXC® … Click Here

More Info on CNC XChange … Click Here

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

General, Kipware® Programming Software

Benefits of KIPWARE® Conversational CNC CAM vs. CAD/CAM

As we update steadly in this BLOG, there has been constantly growing interest in KIPWARE conversational CNC programming software as an alternative to traditional CAD/CAM systems. So much so that KIPWARE® is now the fastest growing brand of PC based conversational CAM in machine shops around the world. Clients are discovering that KIPWARE Conversational CNC programming offers several advantages over CAD/CAM, particularly for certain applications and user scenarios. Here are some benefits of KIPWARE® conversational CNC programming software:

1. User-Friendly Interface: KIPWARE® Conversational CNC programming software employs a user-friendly, intuitive interface that allows users without extensive CNC programming knowledge to create CNC programs easily. The software presents questions and prompts in a conversational format, guiding users through the programming process step by step.

2. Reduced Learning Curve: CAD/CAM systems can be complex and require significant training to use effectively. KIPWARE® Conversational programming is simpler to learn and use, making it more accessible to operators and less experienced CNC programmers.

3. Faster Programming: For simple and standard machining operations, KIPWARE® conversational CNC programming can be much faster than traditional CAD/CAM systems. Users can quickly input the required parameters without the need to create detailed 3D models or use extensive toolpath strategies.

4. Ideal for Prototyping and One-Off Jobs: When working on prototypes or one-off parts, KIPWARE® conversational programming can be more efficient. It allows programmers to quickly create simple toolpaths without investing significant time in CAD model creation and complex CAM strategies.

6. Accessibility for Small Shops: Smaller machining shops or hobbyists find KIPWARE® conversational CNC programming software more affordable and suitable for their needs compared to full-fledged CAD/CAM solutions, which can be expensive.

7. Simplified Updates and Maintenance: KIPWARE® Conversational CNC programming software is less complex than CAD/CAM systems, making updates and maintenance potentially more straightforward and less time-consuming.

As technology evolves, and the skills shortage has become more pronounced, KIPWARE® conversational has become one of the fastest growing brands in machine shops around the world.

Check out the full KIPWARE® line of conversational CAM here : https://kentechinc.com/kipware-programming-software/

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

General

Why KIPWARE® Conversational CNC Programming Software is BETTER than CAD/CAM

Conversational CNC programming software is better than CAD/CAM for several reasons.

First, it is much easier to learn and use. Conversational CNC programming software uses a point-and-click interface, which makes it easy for even beginners to create CNC programs. CAD/CAM software, on the other hand, requires a much higher level of technical knowledge.

Second, conversational CNC programming software is much faster. With conversational CNC programming software, you can create CNC programs in minutes, while CAD/CAM software can take hours or even days. This is a major advantage for small businesses and shops that need to be able to quickly turn around orders.

Third, conversational CNC programming software is much more affordable. CAD/CAM software can be very expensive, while conversational CNC programming software is much more affordable. This makes it a great option for small businesses and shops that are on a budget.

Here are some of the benefits of using conversational CNC programming software:

  • Easy to learn and use
  • Fast and efficient
  • Affordable
  • Versatile
  • Powerful
  • Accurate
  • Reliable

If you are looking for a CNC programming software that is easy to learn, fast, and affordable, then KIPWARE®conversational CNC programming software, the gold standard in PC based conversational, is the best option for you.

Check it all out here : https://kentechinc.com/kipware-programming-software/

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.