Category Archives: Kipware® Programming Software

Posts pertaining to Kipware® Conversational and CNC Programming Software.

Kipware® Programming Software, New Product Release Information

New KipwareT® Release – Simple Turn & Simple Bore Menus

We have received requests from our KipwareT® users for a quick, down-and-dirty menu to help create G code to machine very simple one diameter OD or ID bore with chamfers or radii on the corners. Although our current SIMPLE TURNING and SIMPLE BORING menus can easily handle from one to an unlimited number of diameters … with any angles or radii … the idea presented was for a very simple one diameter part with corner chamfers or radii to enable anyone to quickly and easily create that roughing and / or finishing toolpath.

We have now released Version 23.4.0 of KipwareT® … that now contains both a turning and boring menu for workpieces containing only one diameter which has corner chamfers and / or radii on the ends. The new menus are illustrated below :

Simple Bore Menu

Simple Turn Menu

For more information on KipwareT® … CLICK HERE

To watch our YouTube Playlist for KipwareT® … CLICK HERE

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

Kipware® Programming Software, New Product Release Information

New KipwareT® Release – Pulley Groove / Undercut Turning Option

Kentech Inc. announces the release of Version 23.3.0 of KipwareT® – Conversational CNC Programming Software for Turning.

Included in this release is a new and powerful turning option for our OD PULLEY GROOVE Menu making it easier to create more efficient G code for shapes like the image below :

We have always had the ability to create a grooving type toolpath for this menu … and this new release gives users the option to create a turning type toolpath as well. For more information … please review the video below :

For users still within their 6 month free upgrade window … please email Sales@KentechInc.com to request an updated build with this new feature.

For users outside the window … please review all Kipware® UPGRADE options here : https://www.buykipware.com/product-category/kipware-upgrades/kipware-programming-upgrades/

For more information on Kipware® conversational software … please visit www.KentechInc.com

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

Kipware® Programming Software, New Product Release Information

New KipwareM® Release – Helical Mill and Thread Mill EASILY in Multiple Locations

We have received numerous requests from our clients to enhance some of our milling menus to EASILY accommodate for operations like OD and ID THREAD MILLING and OD and ID HELICAL MILLING to be performed in multiple locations. Currently the user can create one cycle … then copy that cycle and change the X/Y locations to create a cycle for the same operation in a different location. Not to hard … but cumbersome when you have 30 or 100 locations to accommodate.

So we got to work … and have released version 21.1.0 of KipwareM® with the following upgrade feature.

(1) OD and ID THREAD MILLING and OD and ID HELICAL MILLING now have the following option button …

Instead of just simple X and Y location fields … the user will then be presented with the following menu …

Users can then generate an UNLIMITED of X/Y locations where the cycle will be performed using :

(1) A BOLT CIRCLE conversational menu that allows the software to auto-calculate the locations for holes along the user defined bolt circle.

(2) A GRID PATTERN conversational menu that allows the software to auto-calculate the locations for holes along the user defined grid pattern.

(3) A HOLES-ON-A-LINE conversational menu that allows the software to auto-calculate the locations for holes along a user defined line at any angle.

(4) Read locations directly from a DXF file … every location of a POINT in the DXF will be recorded as a hole location in the form.

(5) MANUALLY enter an unlimited number of X/Y locations.

Our users have told us that this type of simple, conversational option is not available in any package they have been exploring … and we’re happy to provide this powerful option to our KipwareM® family of users.

This new feature is shipping standard with all KipwareM® orders as of 2/11/2021. Existing users can explore UPGRADE options by CLICKING HERE.

This newest feature is proving once again that Kentech Inc. developers are INNOVATORS and PIONEERS and illustrating why Kipware® conversational is the gold standard in PC based conversational CNC programming software.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

Kipware® Programming Software, New Product Release Information

New KipwareM® Release – Tapered Trough 3D Menu

KipwareM® is the only conversational CNC programming software on the market that gives users the ability to create standard 3D shapes through the use of conversational, fill-in-the-blanks menus.

As illustrated below, the KipwareM® 3D options include :

  • Tapered Cone
  • Tapered Hole
  • Tapered Square / Rectangular Boss
  • Tapered Square / Rectangular Pocket
  • Horizontal & Vertical Troughs
  • Male & Female Bending Dies
  • Curved Surface
  • Bowls
  • Radius Edge
  • Tapered Radius Edge
  • Straight Radius Edge

…. and we are pleased to announce the addition of the newest conversational menu … Tapered Horizontal Trough.

This menu allows for the creation of G code to machine a trough along the horizontal axis where the radius at the two ends is different. Our HORIZONTAL and VERTICAL trough menus handle troughs where the radii on both ends are the same … this menu accounts for instances where the radii on both ends are different.

This groundbreaking and innovative TAPERED HORIZONTAL TROUGH menu is now shipping standard with the 3D OPTION for KipwareM®.

KipwareM®’s groundbreaking and innovative 3D menus allow for the quick and simple creation of G code programs to machine standard 3D shapes without the need for CAD models nor CAD experience. Just answer the questions … and KipwareM® creates the G code in seconds.

For more information and video presentations of all our REAL WORLD machine shop software … please visit our website at www.KentechInc.com

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

Kipware® Programming Software, New Product Release Information

New Kipware® SketchPad Release – Enhanced Cutter Comp Controls for Turning

Version 12.1.0 of the Kipware® SketchPad has been released and includes enhanced cutter compensation controls for turning.

In some model Fanuc controls, errors can be generated when G41 / G42 commands are included inside a canned cycle contour profile. To assist user that need to employ cutter comp commands outside the canned cycle contour … or who wish to eliminate cutter comp altogether when roughing but still employ it in finishing … this new release will address these issues.

The SETTING above allows the user to select from -3- options to set the cutter comp command when ROUGHING :

(1) Turn cutter comp off … no G41 or G42 command will be issued during roughing … it will still be commanded during finishing.

(2) OUTSIDE the Cycle … will cause the G41 / G42 command to be executed prior to the roughing canned cycle command lines.

(3) INSIDE the Cycle … will cause the G41 / G42 command to be executed after the roughing canned cycle command lines for controls that can accept that format.

Regardless of the above roughing setting … G41 / G42 commands will be executed during finishing in the normal format if cutter comp on is selected in the turning operation. Since finishing is performed under long hand G code format and not canned cycle format it will be employed as normal during the start-up block prior to the finishing contour.

Version 12.1.0 is currently shipping standard as of 12/15/2020.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

Kipware® Programming Software, New Product Release Information

New KipwareM® Release : O.D. Boss Contouring Menu

Kentech Inc. recently released version 20.0.0 of our KipwareM® – Conversational CNC Programming CAM for Milling.

This new release includes a new contouring menu for O.D. square / rectangular bosses. The new menu allows the user to describe any chamfer, at any angle, or any radius on any corner of the boss. The chamfers / radii can all be different … or all be the same … some / all corners can also be left square … and the description is quick and easy to configure as the screenshot below illustrates.

Climb and conventional milling is configurable with the click of a button and the boss can be rotated at any angle with a single input.

Below is a video presentation with additional details :

Kentech Inc. continues to add innovative and ground breaking options to KipwareT® and KipwareM® … maintaining Kipware® conversational as the GOLD STANDARD in PC based CNC conversational CAM.

Please visit www.KentechInc.com for more information, pricing and purchase options for the complete line-up of Kipware® – Real World Machine Shop Software.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

Kipware® Programming Software, New Product Release Information

New KipwareT® Release – Auto-Tool List Generation

We are pleased to announce the release of our auto-tool list creation feature for KipwareT® – Conversational CNC Programming Software for Turning.

As the name describes, this feature will create a tool list for tools used in the currently developed program and includes for every tool in the program :

  • Tool #
  • Offset #
  • User’s note for tool description

This information is critical in set-up and users have the ability to have that tool list created :

  • And inserted directly into the G code program as text blocks at the start of the G code
  • Displayed in the KipwareT® EDITOR where it’s contents can be edited / added to directly in the Editor and also to have the ability to print the Tool List from within the Editor.

Below is a video link that illustrates this new feature in action :

Auto tool list creation is now shipping standard with all new KipwareT® orders … and is available in all KipwareT® UPGRADE purchases.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

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

Covid-19 … CNC Machine Shops … and Kipware®

I think we have all heard this more than enough … “these are unprecedented times,” We all know it … because we are all living it. Unfortunately.

First off … we salute everyone for their efforts from staying at home to social distancing to the most needed front line workers. You have our gratitude for fighting the good fight … without all our efforts we, the fortunate ones, would not be here … surviving. And we remember the ones we lost. The numbers are staggering but we remember that each one was a mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister … each was a vital member of a family that will never be the same again. Each one will be missed … and forever remembered.

As business … including machine shops … begin “opening up” … the workplace looks much different than it did at the start of the year. Kentech Inc. is an internet based company and we have been up and functioning throughout … but now we are hearing from a different clientele.

Machine shops are functioning in a different light … smaller workforce with oftentimes a limited skill level … or smaller workforce just due to the financial consequences of limited work and trying to make the most with what you have. Everyone is being asked to do anything … and sometimes a little help is all we need.

BUT … Kipware® Was Made for THIS !!

Since our birth in 1986, Kentech Inc. and Kipware® software was built from the shop floor up. Built by real world machinists, engineers, chipmakers and shop foreman and leaders. We know that not everything is rocket science … not everything requires a bachelors degree … sometimes all we need is a simple tool to give us a leg up … and that is Kipware® software.

For CNC Programming …

We all know it … not EVERY job requires complex CAD/CAM nor a programmer well versed in CAD/CAM. Kipware® conversational was made to help good chipmakers become good G code generators … and that takes the burden of the CAD/CAM programmer and opens up the programming capability of any size machine shop. And that means increased efficiency and increased output.

Agree? CLICK HERE to explore Kipware® conversational for milling and turning.

For Winning PROFITABLE Work …

Now more than ever margins are tight and the work you win has got to be WORTH WINNING. Kipware® ESTIMATING software was created on the shop floor and has been proven in the trenches since 1986 !! KipwareCYC® will ensure that your machining cycletime estimates accurately reflect what happens on your shop floor … the ABSOLUTE KEY to real world estimating. KipwareQTE® will, ensure that you are not only winning work … but winning PROFITABLE work.

CLICK HERE to check out our Kipware® REAL WORLD ESTIMATING software.

For Ending CNC Control Incompatibility …

With time constraints and more … moving jobs from machine to machine is more and more common. Re-posting or manual editing is NOT AN OPTION !! Kipware® CONVERSION software makes the machine and CNC control incompatibility simply go away !! KipwareXC® and CNC XChange can make all your shop machines … all your CNC controls … run seamlessly. And that means moving that job from the DMG Mori to the Okuma or the Fadal to the Haas can be done in seconds … not hours.

CLICK HERE to check out how Kipware® cam make your shop floor run seamlessly !!

And We ALL Need a Good ROI !!

And Kipware® can accomplish ALL of the above without breaking the bank. Kipware® has simple interfaces to get you up and running quickly. And priced for the REAL WORLD … a Kipware® purchase means a fast return on your investment. That’s a WIN-WIN for productivity and profitability.

CLICK HERE for Kipware® Pricing and Purchase information.

So Sure … Times are Different

But Kipware® is here to help.
And we’ve been here since 1986 … creating tools for the Real World.
So grab some Kipware® and let’s discover the “new normal”. Because now more than ever … it’s REAL !!
Oh ya … it’s REAL !!

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

Kipware® Programming Software, New Product Release Information

New Release – Mutli Sided Conversational Menu for Pentagons, Octagons … any -OGONS !!

While performing an online demonstration the other day, a client asked if KipwareM® had a menu to perform multi sided milling of shapes other than a hex. Of course, the hex shape is a standard feature. KipwareM® can also mill square, rectangular and round bosses using the conversational menus and non standard shapes through the SketchPad. But his question got us wondering about easily programming the milling of pentagons, heptagons, octagons and so on. We thought the answer would be to create a conversational, fill in the blank menu that can quickly and easily create G code milling for a figure with any number of sides, so we did.

The video below will illustrate the use of the newly released multi sided milling menu, now a standard menu in KipwareM®

The form allows the user to define a shape with any number of sides, by just entering the diameter of the circumscribed circle and the required number of sides. The user can also input the radius of the cutter along with all the machining parameters required to machine the shape to the desired depth.

At Kentech we are innovators and pioneers. This new menu illustrates not only the constant innovation being done on Kipware® software, but also the level of real world development being poured into Kipware® to ensure that it continues to be the gold standard for PC based conversational CNC cam software.

Kipware® conversational is a powerful and easy to use tool for anyone’s CNC programming arsenal. Click HERE or visit www.KentechInc.com to put Kipware® conversational to work for you.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

Kipware® Programming Software, New Product Release Information

New Release : Unlimited Grooving Options in Conversational OD ID Grooving Profiles [ Conversational CNC CAM for Turning ]

Creating corner chamfers and radii on OD or ID grooves can be a challenge. Whether programming these profiles manually or through a complex CAD/CAM package … hitting the correct dimensions and tolerances is a tough task.

That’s why we have invested considerable time, effort and testing in the newest feature of our KipwareT® – Conversational CAN Programming Software for Turning … OD, ID and FACE GROOVE PROFILING.

Through a simple conversational or fill-in-the-blank form … users can easily describe any chamfer or radius on the outside corners … any radius on the ID corners …  and have KipwareT® auto-generate the profiling toolpath in seconds … all the math, all the calculations are done automatically in seconds. The best part is if actual cutting conditions cause an out-of-spec part … changes and revisions can be made in seconds … all done conversationally … and sent back out to the machine for prove-out.

KipwareT New Grooving Features Released
KipwareT New Grooving Features Released

Now we all know that “ideal” numbers don’t result in an “ideal” part, Cutter deflection … cutter pressure … cutting conditions can all cause a deviation from desired specs. This new feature in KipwareT® makes any alterations or edits to bring the actual dimension into spec quick and easy.

Below is a video illustrating the grooving options available in KipwareT® :

This new feature in KipwareT® will make anyone … novice or beginner programmer … a grooving master in no time.

You can check out all the features of KipwareT® conversational by a) visiting our website HERE
(b) visiting our YouTube channel HERE

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.