Tag Archives: conversational cadcam

Kipware® Programming Software, New Product Release Information

Kipware® Conversational Programming Software – New 4 Axis Drilling Option Released

Kentech Inc. is pleased to announce the release of a new 4 axis DRILLING menu created in response to a customer request. As with all 4 axis conversatinal programming option … this new menu is available STANDARD with KipwareM® Version 19.5.0 as of April 22, 2019.

Screen #1 – Cutting Parameters

Initiating this programming menu in KipwareM® displays the cutting parameter input screen. Along with standard inputs for stock diameter, clearance, feedrates, spindle speed, depth of cut and retract (peck plunging parameters) … the user can select from (3) available machining cycles.

PLUNGE Cycle : most closely resembling a drilling cycle where the cutter will feed down in the Z axis only. Inputting a DEPTH OF CUT and RETRACT AMOUNT will initiate a peck drilling routine … whereas 0 values in these fields will initiate a straight drilling cycle.

POCKET Cycle : selecting this cycle will first execute a drilling / peck drilling cycle as defined using the PLUNGE cycle parameters … then a pocket mill cycle will execute including circular entry and exit to insure smooth machining and a smooth side wall finish to open up the hole diameter. This cycle is best executed when machining larger holes greater than the cutter diameter.

BOTH : selecting this cycle will begin the hole machining with a drilling / peck drilling cycle as defined like a PLUNGE cycle … and then execute a pocket milling cycle at the final Z depth to open up the hole diameter. This cycle is best executed when peck drilling to depth is required and the hole diameter is greater than the cutter diameter.

Screen #2 – Hole Locations

Once the cutting parameters are defined … user have the ability to define an UNLIMITED number of hole locations through the HOLE LOCATION screen.

Each location can include an X axis and Y axis coordinate … going beyond just center line operations … along with different Z depth coordinates … to avoid “air machining” … and 4 axis angular coordinates. In addition a different hole diameter can be included for each location … allowing the user the ability to program a wide variety of hole locations and diameters in one operation and with one menu.

We are always developing new options and new power for our Kipware® conversational. We were happy to work closely with this client and many others to develop new menus to help save them time and increase their programming efficiency.

KipwareM® Version 19.5.0 is now shipping with this new programming menu standard.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

Kipware® Programming Software, New Product Release Information

New 3D Feature for KipwareM®

Today we are proud to be introducing a new conversational feature for our KipwareM® – Conversational CNC programming software for milling for our groundbreaking 3D conversational option. This option allows for the creation of G code programs to machine a radius along the edge of workpiece using only a conversational or fill-in-the-blank form. As we often do … this conversational menu was created because of a request from one of our clients …. and we are happy to help make their shop more efficient through our development.

edge_radius_screenshot

As the menu screenshot above illustrates … we have included many powerful options such as :

  1. The ability to select any of the (4) locations to correspond with the workpiece set-up and radius edge location. In addition … the user can use multiple operations which each different quadrant to machine a complete “box” configuration.
  2. Any angle of the sidewall which means the radius does not have to be inside a 90 degree edge but virtually any edge and sidewall combination.
  3. The ability to select ZIG-ZAG or ONE WAY machining where zig-zag cutting will take depths of cut via a user defined stepover in both directions for a faster operation or with one direction cutting only.

edge_radius_screenshot2

KipwareM® and our 3D conversational operations has become the PREMIER PC based conversational programming software on the market. The complete array of available conversational 3D options is illustrated in the menu screenshot below and includes Tapered Cone … Tapered Hole … Tapered Boss … Tapered Pocket … Horizontal and Vertical Troughs … Male and Female Bending Dies … Curved Surface … Bowl shape and now the Edge Radius option.

edge_radius_screenshot3

For additional information on KipwareM® and our family of Kipware® CNC and machine shop software family of products … please visit our website at www.KentechInc.com.

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.

Conversational

Kipware® Programming Software

Top 6 Reasons Why Kipware® Conversational … vs “the wannabees”

Since 1986 … almost 30 years … Kentech Inc. has been creating powerful and professional conversational CNC programming software … marketed under our Kipware® trademark. That’s a LOT of experience … a LOT of customer feedback … a LOT of improved toolpath features based on the feedback.

Nowadays … if you take a trip around the web and you’ll find a lot of CNC programming options out there. From CAD/CAM to conversational controls to simplistic “G code wizards” that create what we call “kindergarten toolpaths”.  No canned cycles … no cutter comp … limited math calculations … and on and on. Many can be classified basically as Kipware® wannabees … developed to be “like” Kipware® … the undisputed conversational CNC software market leader. But the truth is in the saying … “Often imitated but never duplicated.”

Doubtful? We present the facts in this post … “The Top 6 Reasons Why Kipware® Conversational … vs the wannabees.” There are  a lot more than 6 but let’s keep it short and focus on the best. These come straight from our clients … based on their trials and experience between Kipware® conversational and other “wizard” type applications.

Number One

The ability to create cycles using a fill-in-the-blank form is not unique to Kipware® … but the ability to re-load previously create cycles back into the conversational menu IS. Only Kipware® can recall previously created cycles … whether created minutes or months ago … back into the fill-in-the-blank form allowing users to re-create the cycle with new parameters ( say different depth of cut ) or create a totally new cycle without having to re-enter data based on a previously created cycle. Time saver and quick and easy editing.

Number Two

The ability to go beyond standard shapes when required to create non-standard toolpaths. The Kipware® Sketchpad … included standard with all Kipware® conversational titles … gives users the ability to draw directly or import a DXF file … and then to easily create a toolpath from the “sketch” by simply selecting the START and END points along the contour and inputs in a simple fill-in-the-blank form. Only the Kipware® SketchPad also contains the patented and ground breaking Machinist Mode that literally makes your mouse a cutter and allows the user to create ANY toolpath desired by simply moving the mouse. Creating roughing toolpaths for non-standard shapes cannot be any easier !!

Number Three

Say good-bye to simplistic hobby machining toolpaths … “kindergarten toolpaths” … with tons of professional machining options included in all Kipware® conversational screens like :

  • Milling and Turning Kipware® : Rough and / or finish machining  can be included with a simple mouse click
  • Milling and Turning Kipware® : Automatically have cutter comp included in the toolpath … Kipware® does all the start-up and shut-down moves and programming all automatically.
  • Milling Kipware® : Select climb or conventional mill with a simple mouse click. Separate selections can be employed for roughing and finishing if desired.
  • Milling Kipware® : Rotate any shape at any angle with one simple input.
  • Turning Kipware® : Select canned cycle or long hand G code output for most standard shapes … power to the people.
  • Turning Kipware® : Select Z axis cutting ( turning ) or X axis cutting ( facing ) for most standard shapes … more power to the people.
  • and on and on and on.

It is amazing to us that some programming applications DO NOT give users the ability to invoke either canned cycles or long hand G code … and don’t include cutter compensation !! Any machinist worth his weight knows that turning a radius or angle without cutter comp will only result in an incorrect part … but some “wizards” don’t even give the user the ability to invoke cutter comp in these instances. Come On !!!

Conversational

Number Four

Integrated KipwareCSF® – Speed and Feed Wizard for Kipware® Conversational makes including YOUR SHOP’S cutting parameters quick and easy. You know your cutters … your cutter inventory … your shop’s speeds and feeds. Creating a database that contains YOUR SHOP’S … not some pie in the sky … parameters means less fiddling on the floor and more real world programs cutting chips and making money faster.

Number Five

Integrated KipwareTP® – Editing and Toolpath Plotting Software makes double checking your toolpaths quick and easy. With the ability to create cutter shapes to be included in the plot and the ability to import a DXF models or choose standard shapes as stock … KipwareTP® has all the features you need all in a no-frills … down to earth interface. Animations are nice but these app’s never tell you all the work and effort that goes into the set-up. Well our clients have told us that our no-nonsense, simple app gives them what they need fast and easy. That means more time spent cutting chips.

Number Six

Constant development. Kipware® is not a hobby for us … it’s our life and the developers at Kentech Inc. are CONSTANTLY developing new ground breaking features and re-developing and improving already released features to make them even more powerful. Some enhancements are based on tried and tested user input … or based on our over 30+ years of real world chipmaking experiences. This is more than evident in these facts :

  • Only KipwareM® offers 3D conversational milling menus.
  • Only KipwareT® offers conversational LIVE TOOL programming options.
  • Only KipwareT® offers conversational Y AXIS programming options.
  • Only KipwareM® offers CONVERSATIONAL 4th AXIS options … standard !!
  • Only Kipware® conversational is a COMPLETE PROGRAMMING SYSTEM … not an after-thought or add-on … and includes conversational CAM, conversational CAD/CAM, toolpath plotting, auto speed and feed generation, a standard DNC application, a standard machininst toolbox application and a CNC programming assistant / wizard all standard … all in one package.

We could go on and on about all the reasons our clients tell us they choose Kipware® …

  • adding good, shop floor  chipmakers to the programming process to cover the simple, everyday programming means faster program creation, more chip making and better delivery time frames.
  • our powerful, intuitive design puts an end to the time consuming, non-productive tasks of having to maintain “tool cribs”, lists of cutters, cutter geometry and others. Kipware® unshackles your inner machinist with our intuitive, real world software design.
  • intelligent, simple, easy-to-use, no-nonsense user interfaces means less time learning the software and more time cutting chips.
  • the ability to use each included app as a stand-alone or as part of the system means more “bullets” in your programming arsenal.
  • anytime, unlimited access to our powerful and complete video training website means answers to questions are only a simple video away.
  • and much, much more.

How about you? … Ready to go Real World?
Ready to unshackle your machinist skills? … or do you want to be referred to as a “cnc’er” forever?
Ready to get your good chipmakers involved in the programming process for better productivity?

If you’re ready to STEP UP … we invite you to explore all the Kipware® Conversational titles at our website :  www.Kipware.com

Kenney Skonieczny – President
Kentech Inc.