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Most Important Post : Is Conversational DEAD in Today’s Machine Shop?

I have been in manufacturing for close to 40 years now. I have worked for multiple machine tool builders including DMG Mori and at multiple machine shops and types of machine shops. From one or two piece job shops to large volume production shops. So I have been around the block … more than once.

After starting Kentech Inc. in 1986, one of the first software products I developed was our Kipware® conversational. Why … because being on the shop floor taught me the power and need for a fast, easy-to-use CNC programming tool that could eliminate the need for running to the “CAD/CAM guy” every time a CNC program or program tweak was required. Tasks like qualifying stock, boring jaws, adding operations to existing G code, complete programming of simpler “everyday” parts … and similar … are perfect for conversational software and for getting good chipmakers involved in the CNC programming process without the need for CAD drawing or CAD/CAM experience. There have always been rumblings that conversational programming is no match for CAD/CAM and with the upswing of “cheap” ( but believe me they are not cheap $$ ) like Fusion 360 … those rumblings have gotten louder and louder. BUT … I’m here to tell you that if you let those rumblings effect your shop … you will be sadly mistaken and you will miss an important key to greater productivity.

In surveys conducted of shops with some form of conversational running, 88% of those users still find conversational programming helpful and useful, and find it a relevant way to produce parts – even in today’s supposed “CAD/CAM only” manufacturing environment.

The “OLD” Machine Shop vs the “NEW” Machine Shop

In the past, shops received electronic drawing files along with a paper blueprint from their customers. Since the majority of job-shop work consisted of machined features and drilled holes, , it was easy to see how conversational can help with faster programming.

However, as CAD/CAM software has become more prevalent, and manufacturers use CAD/CAM for design, shops began receiving more solid models from their customers instead of blueprints and/or DXF or DWG files. Creating paper copies from these files or extracting the data from the solid model files to use for conversational programming seems too time consuming and maybe not worth the effort. These additional steps in the programming process simply appear to defeat the overall benefit of speed and ease that conversational programming offered shops in the past.

So, this must mean that conversational programming is dead?

Absolutely not!

Why Conversational Then?

Time and again, shops that say they won’t ever use conversational, change their minds once they see just how powerful Kipware® conversational is and how fast and easy conversational programming is … especially for the programming of simpler parts, operations like stock preparation and boring of jaws or programming operations for fixture machining . Kipware® conversational opens up all kinds of efficiency avenues and allows for good chipmakers to get involved in G code creation without having to have CAD drawing or CAD/CAM experience.

With today’s “experience-less” shops … Kipware® conversational gets more good chipmakers involved in G code creation with minimal training and takes them to new levels adding productivity and efficiency to the shop floor. The day of the exclusive “CAD/CAM programming department” are quickly disappearing … and shop floor programming has come alive.

Kipware® conversational has become the GOLD STANDARD in PC based conversational because it includes so many unique and powerful features combined with an easy-to-use powerful interface and the ability to import DXF files for programming of complex workpieces. Kipware®’s design and capabilities have taken conversational programming to new heights while maintaining an easy-to-use approach that requires minimal training to ramp up to full speed.

All the benefits of Kipware® conversational are too numerous to mention in this one post … but you can explore many of the benefits of Kipware® conversational through the THIS LINK … CLICK HERE.

Below are a couple of other links that can help you realize the benefits of conversational programming vs. the CAD/CAM only model :

Why a CAD/CAM only model puts your CNC programming at risk.

The DUMBING down of the CNC machine shop.

Think that the CAD/CAM model is the only model for G code creation? Dismiss the benefits of conversational programming and Kipware® conversational at your peril.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

Kipware® Quoting and Estimating Software, New Product Release Information

New Reporting features Released for KipwareCRM® – MRP / ERP Cost Review Module for KipwareQTE®

We continue to improve and innovate our KipwareCRM® – Cost Review Module for our KipwareQTE® – Machine Shop Job Costing and Estimating Software.

KipwareCRM® allows users to easily compare estimated costs vs. actual costs as related to quotes and estimates created with KipwareQTE®. After client suggestions and requests for enhanced reporting features … we are pleased to announce the release of Version 2.0.0 of KipwareCRM®. Two new enhancements contained in Version 2.0.0 are :

(1) The ability to PRINT either a side-by-side or actual cost only report for cost reviews created with KipwareCRM®.

(2) The ability to SAVE as a CSV ( Excel compatible ) spreadsheet a side-by-side or actual cost only report for cost reviews created with KipwareCRM®.

Cost review report enhancements for KipwareCRM®
Cost review report enhancements for KipwareCRM®

These new reporting features will allow users the ability to dig even deeper to insure that work being won is actually profitable work and to take the necessary steps to make any cost corrections as required.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

General, Kipware® Programming Software

The DUMBING DOWN of the CNC Machine Shop

Many people believe that the rise of CAD/CAM has also meant the dumbing down of the machine shop. CAD/CAM operators do not have to be chip making machinists … the only requirement is to know how to operate the CAD/CAM system. As result whatever method the CAD/CAM system comes up with is the method of production. Speeds, feeds, process … it’ all set by the CAD/CAM system and your production and machining are at it’s mercy … whether right or wrong.

Analogy : Sure the pilot uses auto-pilot to fly … but the pilot also knows how to fly the plane manually if needed. Does your CAD/CAM programmer know G code? Can he intervene if necessary?

READ the FULL ARTICLE HERE

It’s time to RISE UP … time to make your shop smarter and more efficient. Time to enhance the HUMAN FACTOR … and KIPWARE® can help.

CLICK HERE to explore Kipware® in detail.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

General, Kipware® Programming Software

Why Using a CAD/CAM ONLY Model Puts Your CNC Programming at Risk

It may seem that your current CNC programming is comfortable with your CAD/CAM system and can “whip up” new G code in no time. But think about the long term … think about these points :

  1. Your CNC programming is at the mercy of your CAD/CAM system. You need to pay any monthly / yearly fees to stay current and stay supported. You are locked in.
  2. You need to find personnel to hire who are familiar with, at least, CAD and CAM and at best YOUR CAD/CAM system. This limits your candidate selection and ability to get the best person for the job.
  3. You have good chipmakers on the shop floor who could lend valuable assistance to the creation of the simpler, everyday G code creation … but they don’t know CAD, CAM and struggle to create G code from scratch. Kipware® is a tool where G code experience is not even required … good chipmakers make GREAT Kipware® programmers.
  4. The ability to hand off the everyday programming to a Kipware® programmer and keep the “CAD/CAM guy” focused on the more complex programming opens up a whole new world of efficiency for your shop.
  5. A lifetime license for Kipware® conversational ( 2 seats ) is equal to (1) year of Fusion 360 !!

CAD/CAM was never intended to be a primary G code creation tool … it is a design tool first and foremost. Everything starts with a drawing. If you’re not designing … DUMP the CAD … KEEP the CAM and increase output with Kipware® conversational.

Create G code FASTER and EASIER with Kipware® Conversational … CLICK HERE TO LEAR MORE

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

Kipware® Quoting and Estimating Software, New Product Release Information

INCH / METRIC Enhancements for KipwareCYC® – Machining Cycletime Estimating Software

Kentech Inc. is pleasesd to announce the release of Version 10.0.0 of our KipwareCYC® – Machining Cycletime Estimating Software.

The first enhancement deals with the inclusion of separate INCH and METRIC databases for BOTH the cutting parameters database and machine specification database. Previously inch and metric settings were contained in a single database … but we feel the two separate databases give users more flexibility and options when having to change between creating estimates in inch and metric. When the user selects INCH or METRIC in the KipwareCYC® SETTINGS page … the appropriate databases will automatically be loaded at start-up.

The second enhancement allows the user to have KipwareCYC® automatically convert the INCH specific database to METRIC … and REVERSE. This new feature allows users to create the database contents using, say, inch specific parameters and then have KipwareCYC® automatically convert that database and save it as a file with metric settings automatically. The reverse can also be accomplished with a single button push … as the image below illustrates.

The third enhancements was a soft-release in 2021 and allows the user to easily create back-up copies of all the KipwareCYC® databases with a push of a single button. The date of the last back-up is saved and displayed on the SETTINGS page.

KipwareCYC® Webpage : https://kentechinc.com/kipwarecyc/

UPGRADE Pricing and Purchase Options : https://www.buykipware.com/product-category/kipware-upgrades/kipware-estimating-upgrades/

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

Kipware® G Code Conversion Software, New Product Release Information

KipwareXC® – New Release Feature – Auto-Calculate Tapping Feedrates

Kentech Inc. is pleased to announce the release of Version 18.4.0 of our KipwareXC® – G Code Conversion Software.

Among other “under the hood” revisions and improvements, Version 18.4.0 contains a new feature that will reverse calculate feedrates for standard tapping and rigid tapping cycles.

Users have been requesting this feature because they have run across G code conversion scenarios where one machine uses a tapping feedrate based on IPM ( pitch x RPM ) and the other machine utilizes the F(eedrate) expressed as a function of the thread pitch.

As you can see from the screenshot below …

… users can define a few parameters in the PROFILE to effect this conversion. Among them are :

  1. Turn the function ON or OFF using the “Reverse Calculate Tapping F” checkbox
  2. Designate the tapping G code that will act as a “trigger code” to activate the conversion.
  3. Designate the direction of the conversion … IPM to PITCH or PITCH to IMP.

The TAPPING G CODE acts as a trigger. When KipwareXC® sees this G code, and the function is turned on, the conversion will be executed based on the direction specified and the original F command will be replaced by the newly calculated F command. This is a powerful feature that will remove the need for any manual calculations  and eliminating the potential for calculation errors.

Version 18.4.0 and this new feature is currently shipping standard with all KipwareXC® purchases as of this writing.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

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® G Code Conversion Software, New Product Release Information

KipwareXC® G Code Conversion Software — Hidden Gems #1

After 30+ years of working and living on the shop floor, Kentech Inc. develops REAL WORLD software solutions. Our experiences have shaped and molded our thinking and development goals to push us to create software solutions that make huge impacts in our clients manufacturing systems and processes.

No where is this more in show than in our INNOVATIVE and GROUNDBREAKING G code conversion applications, KipwareXC® and Kipware® CNC XChange. In this post we look to highlight #1 in a series of HIDDEN GEM videos that feature some of the innovative and groundbreaking features, somewhat hidden away in our G code conversion apps. There are so many features included in KipwareXC® that we want to make sure to highlight some of these maybe unknown features … all standard … all there for the taking … but maybe missed in the everyday use of KipwareXC®.

Let’s start with a couple of questions :

(1) Have you ever wanted to take a proven G code program and adjust … up or down …  all S commands or all F commands by a certain percentage?

(2) Have you ever needed to shift all X and / or Y commands by a certain amount? Or lower all Z commands by a certain amount?

If you answered YES to either of the above … or some other similar situation you can think of … then  the video below is well worth the watch … enjoy !!

For more information and details on all our G code conversion applications … please use any of the links below :

KipwareXC® Information : https://kentechinc.com/kipwarexc/

CNC XChange Information : https://kentechinc.com/cncxchange/

Kentech Inc. MAIN Website : https://kentechinc.com/

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.

The place for all things Kipware® from www.KentechInc.com

It's TIME to WAKE UP CNC People
and END the MADNESS !!

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The MADNESS of CAD/CAM Overkill !!
Create G Code FASTER & EASIER with Kipware® Conversational CAM

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The MADNESS of "WINNING" unprofitable work !!
Win Work that ACTUALLY MAKES PROFITS with Kipware® Estimating applications

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The MADNESS of CNC Control INCOMPATIBILITY !!
Our innovative and groundbreaking G code conversion software can make ALL your machines operate seamlessly.

START the JOURNEY HERE