When we talk to programmers who are using a CAD/CAM system … and we love to do that BTW … the major complaint we hear is regarding their post processor. There are basically TWO TOP compaints …
- The G code generated always needs to be “tweaked”
- They have to purchase posts for various machines / controls
The next question is inevitably … Does Kipware® have a solution?
The Answer is DEFINITELY!! … and for both scenarios !!
KipwareXC® for G Code Tweaking
With tools like KipwareXC® and Kipware® CNC XChange … manually tweaking G code is SOOO yesterday. Like any good process … the more you can automate it and remove the “human factor” from the process … the more rock solid that process can become. Whether you are performing simple edits on the shop floor or complex changes including variables and line coordinate changes … KipwareXC® can automate the process … and once set-up, will allow anyone to perform the changes … even non-programmers.
KipwareXC® is a completely user defined application where the user can use a mixture of pre-defined conversion options and our cutting edge macro variable language to basically tell the software what-to-convert-into-what. This combination allows the user to automate virtually any G code conversion required. From simple stuff … like M51 to M75 … to complex line conversions involving multiple addresses on the line such as converting G71P—-Q—-U—-W—-D—–F—- to G85N—U—W—D—F—.
Pre-defined conversions are conversions that are defined inside the source code of the software … just pick it and it all gets done automatically. Some pre-defined conversions are :
- ADD or REMOVE or REFORMAT decimal points
- Convert from INCH to METRIC or METRIC TO INCH with a single mouse click
- Tons of circular options like convert INCREMENTAL I/J/K to ABSOLUTE I/J/K … and reverse … or convert R to I/J/K.
- Convert X from DIAMETER to RADIUS … and reverse … for turning G code.
- Invert X coordinates … reverse G2/G3 and all related I/J/K information.
- Convert Fanuc SINGLE line canned cycles to DOUBLE LINE commands … and reverse.
- … and SOOO much more.
KipwareXC® allows the user to create an UNLIMITED number of Profiles ( the what-to-convert-into-what statements ) … that means you only need to purchase the software once … and ALL the machines in your shop are covered.
In addition … the cutting edge, real world design of KipwareXC® allows users to piggy-back Profiles … which adds a whole ‘nother layer of flexibility.
For more info on KipwareXC® …. CLICK HERE.
Kipware® CNC XChange for MASSIVE G Code Conversion Between Different Machines
Whereas KipwareXC® is completely user-defined … CNC XChange is almost completely defined inside the source code. This means basically that we have done all the work … the user does have options for non-standard code conversion like M functions … but for the most part all the code conversions have been defined inside the source code.
We build CNC XChange for specific G code conversions … our most popular is our Fanuc <–> Okuma version will auto-convert G code created for Fanuc controls into G code formatted for Okuma controls … and reverse. We do also have other versions available … for a complete list please CLICK HERE.
So if you have multiple machines on your shop floor … and suffer from the “control incompatibility” issue … re-programming for every machine / control … Kipware® CNC XChange has you covered. Just ask PETE …
So where a software sales guy might praise the features of their G code editor … we say, “editing G Code manually is sooo yesterday.” If you are making the same edits over-and-over again … or you have multiple machines and controls on your floor and suffer from “control incompatibility” … we invite you to explore KipwareXC® and Kipware® CNC XChange … and kick your shop floor efficiency into the next level.
Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.