Category Archives: General

General musings and information.

General, Kipware® G Code Conversion Software, Kipware® Programming Software, Kipware® Quoting and Estimating Software, New Product Release Information

New KentechInc.com Website Launched

With an internet based business … your website is your company. It is your “brick and mortar store”. So it’s gotta be good !!

Kentech Inc. has been business since 1986 … and launched the first version of www.KentechInc.com around 1989. Since then it has gone through quite a few versions as we try to keep it modern, fresh and employing the latest technology. We have always designed and coded on our own and made it a point to learn the latest in web publishing and to employ that technology in our website.

In today’s day … it’s not enough to simply put together a website … it MUST function well on all devices. That means on everything from that big PC screen to that small iPhone or Android cell phone screen. Well … we are software people … so we put the same thought, consideration and testing into our website build as we put into our CNC and machine shop software products.

If you’re shopping around for CNC and machine shop software … take a look at the website of the company you are considering on multiple devices. If it doesn’t function well on everything … do you really want to consider their software?

The latest version of our website was COMPLETELY DESIGNED — CODED — CREATED by our staff of programmers and engineers … no outside assistance whatsoever. And we are  pretty proud of it.

We invite you to visit the latest version of www.KentechInc.com … and send along any feedback to our Sales Team at Sales@KentechInc.com.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

General, Kipware® Programming Software, SaaS for Manufacturing

Fusion 360 [ and Why CAD/CAM Companies JUST DON’T GET IT !! ]

CAD/CAM companies and developers JUST DON’T GET IT !!

If you are a machinist and / or job shop CNC programmer … this article is for YOU !!

Let’s start at the beginning …

CAD/CAM was originally designed “back in the day” for the design and manufacture of COMPLEX aircraft components. And for that complex programming … yes it is indispensable. But once all those aircraft manufacturers had their CAD/CAM … the market started drying up and the CAD/CAM companies looked to diversify … to look to push their products into other areas … like everyday manufacturing. Gotta keep developing markets to keep those BIG profits coming in.

BUT the reality is …

CAD/CAM was never designed to be a PRIMARY G code generating tool … it’s a design tool first and foremost … thus the need for a drawing to program even the simplest part. This fact can lead to a number of job shop / everyday manufacturing / G code generating issues … such as :

  1. Removing good chipmakers from the manufacturing process. If you can’t draw … you can’t program.
  2. Slowing down the programming process … have to always create a drawing first.
  3. Adds unnecessary complexity to the programming process … CAD/CAM packages are so complicated with cryptic icon driven menu systems making it necessary to weed through tons of unnecessary menus to accomplish even the simplest tasks.

What’s CONVERSATIONAL about this ???

This is a screenshot for creating a RADIAL SLOT in the “latest and greatest” conversational app out there … REALLY ??? Complex … icon driven … too many options that complicate things … overkill !!!  Yes pretty pictures maybe … but come on … pretty pictures doesn’t mean easy or efficient … be real.

Compare it with the KipwareM® RADIAL SLOT menu below … simple … easy to use … yet still contains tons of powerful machining options.

Developers who are NOT MACHINISTS … who DON’T LIVE IN THE REAL WORLD … design software that is OVERKILL !!

The alternative ????

Shop Floor Programming … plain and simple.

Shop Floor Programming pretty much describes the programming that is done on 95% of job shops around the world every day. Simpler … everyday parts. A shaft with 3 diameters … a groove … and a thread. A round milled pocket with a bolt circle at the bottom. A simple 2D contour for a metal bracket.  You get the picture … you know the workpieces I speak of.

For the above … why on earth would I need to waste my time to create a drawing to create some G code ???

Shop floor programming is the answer. A simple tool that was designed specifically for G code generation … not design primarily … G code generating primarily.

Some machine tool builders will tell you that their cryptic, archaic “conversational” control is “shop floor programming”. But the fact is that their CNC control is NOT a PC … and doesn’t have a PC’s capabilities or user-friendly-ness. AND … it’s specific for their machine … and is locked to the machine. You gotta program in the shop … at the machine … and what about all your other machines?? There’s a BETTER alternative …

Kipware® CONVERSATIONAL CNC Programming Software

Load Kipware® conversational CNC programming software on a laptop … BOOM … conversational, fill-in-the-blank programming for EVERY machine in your shop. Program at the machine … in the office … at home on the couch with a beer … wherever !!

Kipware® CONVERSATIONAL CNC PROGRAMMING SOFTWARE is the ESSENCE of Shop Floor Programming.

Pull up a round pocket fill-in-the-blank screen … answer some questions … BOOM … G code.

Pull up a bolt circle menu … answer some questions … BOOM … G code.

Pull up a shaft menu … enter some diameters and lengths … BOOM … G code.

You get the picture.

If you agree with the facts outlined here …. if you’re fed up with having to go down the CAD/CAM road where CAD/CAM companies FORCE you to go … 

DUMP the CAD … KEEP the CAM … click HERE to DO IT !!

Kenney Skonieczny
President — Kentech Inc.

General, Kipware® G Code Conversion Software, Kipware® Programming Software

Kipware® Reseller Opportunities are Available

Are you a machine tool salesperson looking to add CONVERSATIONAL PROGRAMMING options to your machines?

Are you a machine tool salesperson running into the CNC CONTROL INCOMPATIBILITY issues when offering your equipment?

Are you a connected metalworking individual interested in generating some additional income?

If so … Kipware® software can help !!

CONVERSATIONAL PROGRAMMING

Many machine tools now offer conversational or shop floor programming as an option on their CNC controls. While we are HUGE believers in conversational and shop floor programming over CAD/CAM only model … having your programming being locked to the machine tool has many disadvantages that can be easily exploited when offering a PC based conversational alternative like Kipware® conversational. CLICK HERE to watch the video for more on this topic.

If the machine tool you or your company offer does not include conversational programming but it’s what your customer is seeking … or your CNC control conversational option is sub-par … becoming a member of Kentech Inc.’s REFERRAL PROGRAM with the ability to offer Kipware® conversational as an option is a GREAT alternative. Our REFERRAL PROGRAM is easy to join … has no commitments … and requires nothing on your part other than a referral. Basically … refer a client and earn $100 !!

TAKE CONTROL INCOMPATIBILITY ISSUES OFF THE TABLE

Over the years … we have helped hundreds of FANUC and OKUMA based CNC machine tool users realize complete seamless integration between their machines with our CNC XChange G code conversion software.  In addition … our KipwareXC® G code conversion software has helped thousands of CNC programmers quickly and easily convert their G code from one format to another to make their shop floors run smoothly and efficiently.

Machine tool sales professionals oftentimes find themselves in a situation where the customer comments “I love your machine but my operators and programmers don’t know the control.”  or “I have hundreds of programs written for my current machine … can I use them?”

As a member of the Kipware® REFERRAL PROGRAM … you can not only offer a proven-in-the-trenches solution that can mean the difference between a sale and a bust … but you can earn $$$ in the process.  Our REFERRAL PROGRAM is easy to join … has no commitments … and requires nothing on your part other than a referral. Basically … refer a client and earn $100 !!

YOU LIVE IN THE TRENCHES … PROFIT FROM IT !!

Our Kipware® titles are powerful … easy-to-use … and proven-in-the-trenches applications that include :

We are always looking for knowledgeable, connected manufacturing professional who are looking to help other manufacturing professionals find solutions to their shop floor issues. Perhaps a Kipware® title can help … and by joining our REFERRAL PROGRAM you can point your friend or colleague in the Kipware® direction and even earn some $$$ in the process. We invite you to explore our Kipware® titles and the Kipware REFERRAL PROGRAM. Let’s all work together to make manufacturing strong.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

General, Karv Woodworking, Kipware® Programming Software, New Product Release Information, SaaS for Manufacturing

The 2016 Kipware® Development Report

Another year … come on !!! It’s hard to believe that we are about to add another year to our journey … our 31st year in business … in CNC and in CNC software development. Saying THANK YOU to all our customers who went REAL WORLD with us … who put their faith in our ideas, designs and development … it wouldn’t even begin to reflect our real gratitude. Without our customers we wouldn’t be here … and that’s why we continue to listen to your feedback … your requests … your ideas … and will continue to implement them as best as we can to continue to develop our world famous line of Kipware® … REAL WORLD MACHINE SHOP SOFTWARE.

At the beginning of each year we like to take a look back … to reflect and evaluate what we have accomplished during the past year for our products in terms of development and enhancements … and of course for our clients.

Versus other software vendors who boast “millions of hits on our website” … or who search the internet for good ideas and then make them their own … we’re doers. We don’t talk about it … we do it … and we’re more than happy to publish our doing it and lay it out there for all to see. We’re proud of our hard work and results and the fact that THOUSANDS of real world machinists … from the one man shop to fortune 500 companies like SpaceX and General Dynamics around the world use Kipware® software. I guess they’re doers too. Are you a doer?

Why do we feel it is important?

Since 2012 … the first year we started blogging regularly … we have posted our year-in-review article highlighting the main items of development over the year.  We feel this is SOOOO VERY IMPORTANT for a number of reasons … but let’s focus on the top two.

  1. To show clients and potential clients that Kentech Inc. and Kipware® software is constantly on the move … innovating … inventing … improving … and enhancing. So clients and potential clients can compare our rate of the above against other competition and developers. We are by far the busiest in terms of enhancing and upgrading our machine shop software … all our market leading titles. If you follow our blog you’ll know we are a big fan of software Version #’s. For developers who adhere to the software version norms … major release, minor release and build numbers ( e.g. 10.1.0  )  … these are an actual reflection of the number of releases which usually illustrates the amount of new development. As the major release number grows … it reflects the number of major upgrades and enhancements. The reverse … software with Version #’s that are low … reflect the lack of development and lack of major releases. This is a good indicator of how much work and effort a company is putting into development. We always encourage any potential client to compare our version numbers with any competitor … the result is always astounding. We have posted the current version #’s next to each title along with the release information for the last year for your review. Nothing to hide here.
  2. So existing clients can view the various changes and enhancements to titles they may own … and help them decide if these changes warrant an UPGRADE investment. Kentech Inc. does not have any maintenance agreements and no yearly fees. Our UPGRADE policy basically allows the user to pick-and-choose when they wish to upgrade based on features released. At any time the user can UPGRADE … and will receive the latest version of the software with ALL the current features. So if we release an UPGRADE and the features are not of interest this time but they are the next time … an UPGRADE purchase will get you ALL the features that have been released to date.

By the way … if you missed any of our previous end of the year reports or wish to see our progress … here are some links to help :

So without further ado ….

curtain

Let’s raise the curtain on this years highlights !!

This year we really stepped it up a notch … and went beyond just software development to branch out into some new endeavors. We introduced our Kipware® Cloud – SaaS for Manufacturing … and we started a sister company KÄRV to put our quoting and estimating and conversational CNC programming software to work in a real woodworking environment. We will be blogging more about KÄRV and how we are using Kipware® software in it’s operation in the upcoming months.

Below is a list of our accomplishments for 2016 … with links to articles with in-depth information about each. Enjoy.

The Kipware® CLOUD

This was BY FAR our biggest new undertaking … and judging by our subscription rate … you thought so too !! After about 2 years in planning … in April 2016 we finally unveiled the Kipware® Cloud – SaaS for Manufacturing. We worked very closely with our hosting partner to insure we “got it right” … and have been extremely happy with the roll-out, the stability, the security and mostly the performance of The Kipware® Cloud.

Our subscription rate continues to climb ( we don’t publish the numbers for the competition to use for their research … losers !! ) and customers who sign-up continue to maintain and in some cases even grow their subscriptions and number of titles they include. Cloud computing is the future … and we are proud to say we have once again have broken new ground to be innovators and pioneers in manufacturing. While companies offer one cloud based app … mostly CAD or CAM … the Kipware® Cloud offers users a whole host of real world applications from quoting and estimating to conversational CAM programming to G code conversion to CNC training. And all at a cost less then the single application offerings.

If you haven’t followed along with our Kipware® Cloud Blog posts … here is a list of some of best posts to gather some additional information :

What is SaaS and What is the Kipware® Cloud

Why Cloud Computing Makes Sense … EVEN FOR AN OLD GUY !!

The Kipware® CLOUD — SaaS For Manufacturing

We invite you to explore the Kipware® Cloud and it’s features through the links above. There are a lot of benefits to the Kipware® Cloud … and can help you move your business to the next level and into the future !!

KipwareT®

Conversational CNC Programming Software for Turning
Current Version : 19.1.0

  1. Conversational Tapered Radius Groove menu released … for more info CLICK HERE.
  2. Conversational Ball Turning Menu released … for more info CLICK HERE.

KipwareM®

Conversational CNC Programming Software for Milling
Current Version : 16.13.0

  1. New conversational 3D EDGE RADIUS menu released … for more info CLICK HERE.
  2. We have a lot of new menus up for development in 2017 including new hole menus … new slotting menus … new multiple fixturing menu and options … STAY TUNED !!

KÄRV Woodworking Is BORN !!

In October 2016 we decided to take our talents to the world of woodworking and we set-up a sister company to Kentech Inc. called KÄRV. KÄRV will be a company that produces custom handmade furniture and unique wood carvings using both our X-Carve CNC router and custom , hand woodworking. We fully intend to implement our KipwareCYC® ( cycletime estimating software ), KipwareQTE® ( cost estimating software ) and our KipwareM® conversational CNC programming software in this business and will be blogging extensively in 2017 about that implementation. Stay tuned to the Kipware® Blog for more !!

We have already started blogging … you can read some of those initial articles in the list below :

We’re Taking our Talents to …

Building the X-Carve for KÄRV Woodworking

The above illustrates only the MAJOR releases … there are also tons of minor tweaks behind the curtain along with User Interface changes that have been released without any fanfare. Unlike some developers who tout screen color changes or pop-up tips as MAJOR enhancements. I guess it comes from our on-the-shop-floor no-nonsense experiences … don’t give me something unless it truly makes a difference.

We invite you to compare this type of development and enhancements with any software developer you are considering. We like to use that famous New England clothiers marketing phrase … “An educated consumer is our BEST customer.” or “Shop us last … you’ll love us.”

Of course … we couldn’t accomplish anything without the dedicated crew here at Kentech Inc. nor our fabulous family of Kipware® users. Thank you to everyone for your support and we promise to keep working hard … dedicate our efforts … to create and enhance our REAL WORLD software to make a difference in the REAL WORLD.

Happy New Year to ALL !!

Wishing all the best to everyone in 2017 !!
Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

General, Karv Woodworking

Building the X-CARVE for KÄRV Woodworking

As mentioned in our previous post … we are in the process of creating and setting up a sister company to Kentech Inc. … called KÄRV.

KÄRV will allow us to take our metalworking talents … along with the Kipware® software we designed and built at Kentech … to the woodworking stage as we create custom, handmade furniture and unique wood carvings and introduce them to the KÄRV product line.

We will be using our quoting and estimating software to help determine pricing … and our conversational CNC programming software to help create G code programs for our X-CARVE CNC router.

And all along the way … we will be blogging about it all here. So we invite you to visit often and see Kipware® in action … and maybe even discover some KÄRV products that you might like to own !!

We began back on October 22 by registering KÄRV as a business in our city … started setting up our workshop … ordered our X-CARVE … and now we have completed the build and test cut for the X-CARVE.

20161102_114331

We waited for a little over (3) weeks to receive the X-CARVE … which seemed like an eternity … after we placed the order. That was a little disappointing. Of course the X-CARVE came un-assembled … and in many many pieces. But the good new was the step-by-step instructions available from INVENTABLES … the creators of the X-CARVE were just fabulous. Very in-depth … easy to follow … and coupled with some patience we went from box to completed assembly in about 24 total hours. One not-so-nice event was that while we were able to build the complete machine … the controller was back-ordered. So the completed machine sat and waited for almost 1 week while we waited for the controller. Finally we had to make a few calls to INVENTABLES to gently nudge them and we received the controller … and set out to test carve.

20161115_185658

We decided to program some simple lettering for our test cut … and make a little sign for the workshop. We used Vectric VCARVE software which we bought from INVENTABLES when we purchased our X-CARVE. The software appears to be quite powerful and it was real easy to create our desired toolpath.

image_list

We cut the letters reversed … leaving .010 of material on the back edge just to hold everything together. Then we glued the letters to a backing piece of wood … turned the whole assemble over and sanded off the .010 of material to reveal the letters. Not bad for a first sample.

So now we are ready to move onto bigger and better things !!
Stay tuned … or visit us at www.KarvWoodworking.com

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

General, Karv Woodworking, Kipware® Programming Software, Kipware® Quoting and Estimating Software

We’re taking our talents to …

After 30+ years in the metalworking industry … we are about to expand our scope as I TAKE MY TALENTS TO … WOOD !!

decision

On October 22, 2016 … KÄRV was born !!

Personally I have been dabbling in woodworking for quite a while and I felt the time had come to take it to the next level.  I mean why not?? Through Kentech Inc. we have developed all the software needed to operate a manufacturing business through our quoting and estimating … CNC programming … and shop utility software. When you come right down to it … making products from wood is very similar to making products from metal. A collaboration between Kärv and Kentech is a NATURAL !!

We invite you to follow our progress along here at the Kipware Blog and on our CNC Machinist Blog as we rev up. We will be detailing our progress as we receive and set-up our X-CARVE cnc router from Inventables. We we will be illustrating and blogging all the steps from unpacking to first cut at the blogs … so please follow along.

After we get the X-CARVE up and running we will be illustrating and blogging about how we integrate our Kipware® quoting and estimating software and Kipware® programming software into winning work … and producing work !! … so please follow along.

karv_sign2

We will also be publishing more on the offerings from Kärv on the Kärv website … www.KarvWoodworking .com. So please visit the website as well. Who knows … you might even find some items of interest for yourself or for gifts.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Craftsman and Maker … www.KarvWoodworking.com

General, Kipware® Quoting and Estimating Software

Guidelines for Calculating Machine HOURLY RATE

We tout this fact all the time in our marketing … at Kentech Inc. we are MACHINISTS … we cut chips, we programmed, we ran shop floors for years … then we became software engineers and designers and built software products we saw were lacking during those years. What we refer to as Real World Machine Shop Software. 

As a result, many of our clients come to us to take advantage of that experience … especially those just starting out. Since quoting and estimating is one of the first tasks a new shop needs to get right … we get asked quite a lot of questions about these areas. Our KipwareCYC® ( machining cycletime estimating software ) and KipwareQTE® ( cost estimating / quoting software ) titles are two of our most popular titles. One of the “hot” topics we encounter during online presentations of these titles is often concerning the cost to charge for a machining or a shop rate. So we thought it was a good time to add a blog post with some guidelines we feel are simple enough … but important enough … that can get you to an accurate figure.

Since many shops will utilize an hourly rate as a basis for charging for machining time, this post is dedicated to some helpful guidelines on how to calculate that machining hourly rate. Below are some points we consider important when calculating the hourly rate for a particular machine. The areas requiring calculations include :

Equipment – Cost Per Hour of Operation … a common formula : (machine purchase cost + expected lifetime maintenance cost) / expected hours of operating life.

Direct Labor Cost per Hour … a common formula : (total annual labor costs + taxes + benefits + paid time off) / (total annual hours worked – breaks and training time)

Overhead Cost Per Hour  : Any costs not directly involved in machining a part is overhead. These include costs for administrative staff salary, equipment, furniture, building lease, maintenance and office supplies. Calculate the annual costs of these, then divide by total labor or machine hours for the year. This will be your overhead cost per hour

Once the above costs are calculated … you can use the formulas and guidelines below to arrive at either a “general” shop hourly rate or an hourly rate based on a specific piece of equipment.

General Machine Shop Hourly Rate … a common formula : Average overall shop rate = (average machine cost per hour + labor and overhead cost per hour) x markup

Machine Specific Hourly Rate … a common formula : (specific machine(s) cost per hour + labor + overhead cost per hour) x markup

Somewhat simplified … and usually a work in progress as factors may change. It is important to gather all the figures in the formulas above as best you can … as accurate as you can … and to keep tabs on any factors that may change along the way.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

General

Custom CNC / Machine Shop Software Development

Since 1986 … over 30+ years … Kentech Inc. has been creating CNC and machine shop software applications to meet the challenges of manufacturing. From conversational CNC programming software … to quoting and estimating software … to our groundbreaking and innovative G code conversion software.

Along the way … clients have frequently requested features to our out-of-the-box applications to handle their specific needs … unique to their shop or their manufacturing environment. This has resulted in the addition to new features for our applications … as well as many custom developed applications to meet those client’s requirements.

In August of 2014 … due to increased demand … we initiated our CSD ( Custom Software Development ) strategic business unit to concentrate and focus development on custom CNC and machine shop software requests. Since it’s inception in 2014 … we have created numerous custom applications from conversational CNC programming software to handle a client’s specific shop floor programming needs … to custom G code conversion software for individual corporate client’s and larger CNC control manufacturers like FAGOR automation.

CSD_Logo_Small_White

We are always looking for the next challenge.

If your shop is facing a manufacturing challenge and you can’t seem to find an off-the-shelf solution … we encourage you to contact the Kentech Inc. CSD unit and let us help you explore a custom developed application.

We have a lot of coding background … and a lot of bits and pieces of CNC, machining and machine shop custom code … which perhaps with a little “tweaking” can become your custom developed solution. Or should your solution require a completely new direction … Kentech Inc. has the experience and knowledge to develop a solution in a time frame and within a budget that can fit your requirements.

You can get additional information on the Kentech Inc. CSD unit … view some of our projects … or get some answers to FAQ’s … at our website … www.KentechInc.net

Or you can contact the CSD UNIT directly at Sales@KentechInc.com

If You Can DREAM IT … We Can CODE IT !!

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

General

The U.S. Productivity Decline … and Your Shop?

The Wall Street Journal reports on 8/10/2016 that the longest slide in worker productivity since the late 1970’s is still haunting the US economy. “Nonfarm business productivity … the goods and services produced each hour by American workers … decreased at a .5% seasonally adjusted annual rate in the 2nd quarter as hours worked increased faster than output.”

This was the 3rd consecutive quarter where productivity fell … making it the longest streak since 1979. And the annual decline was the worst in 3 years … and the trend shows little sign of reversing.

Is Your Shop Getting Dumber?

We have been harping for years that today’s technology and it’s move more and more toward “artificial intelligence” is making the workforce dumber … and leading to a lack of creativity and worker competence.

WSJ_IMAGE

See our post ” Is CAD/CAM Making Your Shop Dumber” HERE

The WSJ article goes on to blame the slowdown on weak business investment in new equipment … software … and facilities that could boost worker efficiency.

I would agree partially … but would add that investment should be made in equipment and software that facilitates and sharpens worker’s skills  and know-how … because when TOO MUCH automation is employed … skills suffer.

My belief … in manufacturing anyway … is that complex software that performs ALL the tasks automatically are to blame for today’s “dumber” shops … and possibly the skills drain that shops are experiencing … and in this case the productivity decline. Human-focused software … like our Kipware® … engages the operator with lots of prompts and pushes people harder to think, act and learn. Our skills develop and get sharper only through practice when we use them regularly. In our recent article I made the point that … programming a rectangular pocket or the roughing of a multi-step shaft is not rocket science … but it is tedious. Kipware® can assist by creating this simpler G code quickly and easily … but it’s imperative that the user have the ability to create that G code manually if he had to. The message … ” I could do it if I had to but it’s faster and more efficient this way.” … must be valid. If the user can’t do it … and is relying on the computer to perform a task he is incapable of … that’s a problem. The pilot having the ability to land the plane if he had to … is a lot different than him relying exclusively on the auto-pilot because he doesn’t know how to land the plane.

The WAY Forward?

If measuring your shop’s productivity puts it in step with the overall decline in productivity … it’s time to step up. How? Invest in human-focused software and equipment to GROW your workforce … not in numbers but in effectiveness. Statistics show that advances made from newer technologies is less than compared with those from past technologies.

Again a point we constantly harp on … just because a technology is out there doesn’t mean it’s a must-have.  Driverless cars? Come on … doesn’t the thrill of driving mean anything to anybody ??? And aren’t we a richer person through the driving experience?  A more skilled person? But I digress.

The point being that rushing out to purchase the latest technology is not necessarily a guarantee of increased efficiency and productivity. Instead … expand the “human focused ” technology available … and grow the potential of your workforce … and thereby grow it’s potential for greater productivity.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

Estimating

General, Kipware® Programming Software, SaaS for Manufacturing

PC Based Conversational vs Conversational CNC Controls

1 Comment

As the creators of the industry’s premier PC based conversational CNC programming software  … Kipware® conversational … we hear the question quite often “Why should I consider your PC based conversational software over a CNC control with conversational built in?”

It certainly is a valid question … and we would like to take this post to explain what we consider to be the TWO MAIN facts that anyone considering purchasing a CNC machine based on the fact that the control includes conversational programming should consider. There certainly are others … but we consider the two outlined here to be the most important.

FIRST … Consider the PC vs the CNC Control

cnc_vs_pc

The first consideration is to start at the basics … the hardware. A CNC control is designed around it’s ability to RUN the CNC machine and it’s axis. That means that it’s components … screen … keyboard … processor … are designed and created to make the axis move with speed, precision and accuracy. After all … that is the main job of the CNC machine. And … it’s designed to withstand and handle the harsh shop floor environment. Those factors dictate the features and capabilities included in the CNC control. The main point of the CNC machine and therefore it’s controller … IS TO BE A MACHINE !!

Professional CNC controls are NOT computers … in the vain of “personal computers”. The harsh shop floor environment means the exclusion of features we take for granted every day with our PC … that make it’s operation seamless and easy. A mouse … full QWERTY type keyboard … screen resolution … file storage and retrieval … and so on. Conversational CNC controls are forced to use cryptic, backward operational  features like using the handwheel or arrow up and down keys or cryptic F keys to maneuver around.

Screen size and resolution along with the lack of “standard” computer hardware and lack of real “computing power” further restrict control based conversational. The ability to import a DXF file … for example … for program creation of non-standard type shapes is often lacking. And if present … is severely restricted by the screen size and resolution … often allowing for only the simplest of file importation.

Because the CNC conversational is married to the particular CNC machine … the conversational interface is restricted by the CNC machine capabilities. Menus are often cryptic … with simplistic images and prompts. The conversational layout and design often feels like an extension of the CNC control rather than a “programming system”. In some respects that is good … because the programming is output being 100% machine specific. But again it’s locked to that machine … the output is only good for that machine … and the programming must be done at that machine. Lack of portability means lack of expandability … and who wants to stay stationary in their business life?

The CNC CONTROL HARDWARE makes operating conversational programming on a CNC machine less intuitive … less powerful … slower … more error prone … and more time consuming when compared to operating CNC programming software on a PC.

Conversational

SECOND … Portability

portability

Second … consider the fact the your CNC conversational programming is locked and tied to the machine. That means ALL of the programming MUST be done at the machine … on the shop floor. Oftentimes … that means the machine is NOT cutting chips while programming is being done … or if programming and machine operation are done simultaneously, the operator is performing two tasks at the same time. Come on … seriously … that’s a recipe for disaster.

Consider that PC based conversational like Kipware® conversational  comes with multiple “real world” shop floor features.

  • The ability to move the programming from machine to machine … making ALL your machines conversational. Your shop can program multiple machines with one PC or laptop. Loading PC based conversational like Kipware® onto a laptop … or today on a Microsoft tablet … adds new and powerful programming options to the shop floor. The tablet makes the “programming system” portable … being able to be moved from machine to machine … or into the office for some “quiet time” programming. Smaller shops can even take the laptop / tablet home for programming offsite.
  • Since you are using the same laptop / PC and the same software … all conversational programming for all machines is done using the SAME interface. Professional conversational software like Kipware® conversational uses the same interface for both milling and turning programming. This means that users spend less time learning the software and more time creating programs that cut chips … and make profits.
  • Professional PC based conversational like Kipware® has power that allows for the program creation for machine with different controllers. For example … Kipware® conversational can create G code programs for Fanuc … Haas … Okuma and any other “fanuc compatible” controls standard, out-of-the-box. For non-fanuc-compatible machine / controls … our powerful KipwareXC® option allows Kipware® conversational to handle them as well.
  • File storage and retrieval can be done off the machine … even on a server … which means safer and more secure data. Repetitive programs can easily be recalled and edited and updated … and done using the same conversational interface if using Kipware® conversational. Most CNC controls do not have the capability to recall a conversational program or cycle … which means family of parts or similar parts must always be re-created from scratch. Professional conversational software like Kipware® … and you can compare this feature on other “hobby software” … can recall any cycle created through the conversational menus. This means that if you are programming a part similar to a part you programmed one month or one year ago … you can simply recall that cycle … make a few changes using the conversational, fill-in-the-blank form … and create a completely new cycle in seconds. Kipware®‘s unique cycle recall feature even allows you to maintain the same, proven speeds and feeds used in the original cycle.

AND … we didn’t even mention cost !!

Almost always on professional CNC controls … conversational programming is an OPTION ,,, and an expensive option. Consider this … for less than $1,000 you can ADD conversational programming to multiple machines on your shop floor through a Microsoft tablet and Kipware® conversational software !!

As I mentioned earlier … these are only two of the many factors that really make PC based conversational software a much more powerful … efficient … profitable option than CNC control based conversational software. If you are contemplating making a purchase of a CNC machine … and the fact that the control has a conversational programming option … we invite you to take a look at Kipware® conversational … arrange for a live, online demonstration … and let us show you why a PC based, professional conversational application like Kipware® conversational is the smarter option.

You can use any of the links below to get additional information … or to arrange a live, online demonstration of Kipware® conversational.

Our Website : www.KentechInc.com

Arrange a LIVE – ONLINE Demo here :
http://www.kentechinc.com/Webex_Request.html

Thanks so much for exploring our Blog !!

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.