New Release -- KipwareW®

Kentech Inc. is pleased to announce the release date for our newest conversational CNC programming software application ... KipwareW® ... Friday ... February 1, 2013 !!

KipwareW® is our CNC conversational programming application designed to create G code programs for Wire EDM ... Waterjet ... and Plasma machines.

Our previous titles and versions of KipwareEDM® and KipwareJT® have been discontinued. We have now upgraded and enhanced their features into our new and powerful user interface and design utilized with KipwareM® ( milling ) and KipwareT® ( turning ).

The conversational module of KipwareW® builds on the proven-in-the-trenches power and features of KipwareM® and KipwareT®. Features such as :

• G code creation using fill-in-the-blank forms.
• Custom post creations for machine compatibility.
• Single input for shape rotation of any G code program.
• Create any standard shape and edit that toolpath all in a conversational setting ... no G code required.
• Easily add previously created shapes and cycles ... no need to re-program similar shapes.
• Easily copy previously created shapes and cycles ... create new shapes quickly and easily.

In addition to the conversational module for standard shapes ... KipwareW® also comes standard with our conversational CAD/CAM module ... the Kipware® SketchPad. The SketchPad allows users to either draw their toolpath directly or to import a DXF file and create a toolpath using a conversational, fill-in-the-blank form.

So whether you are programming a standard shape or need to create a toolpath from a DXF file ... you can create your G code quickly and easily with KipwareW®.

As with all our conversational applications ... KipwareW® will be available through our Standard Purchase or through our Subscription Purchase. Please consult the Price List page ... as of Friday ... 2/1/2013 ... for additional pricing and purchase details.

Kentech Inc. continues to take conversational programming out of the world of  "wizards", "after thoughts" and "add ons" and to create professional, powerful programming tools for todays manufacturing. We are pleased to be able to bring our proven-in-the-trenches design and performance of our other Kipware® conversational applications now to the world of Wire EDM ... Waterjet ... and Plasma machining.

Kenney Skonieczny - President
Kentech Inc.

Kipware® and MACH3

We have been receiving a lot of inquiries lately regarding the compatibility of our Kipware® conversational CNC programming software and machines running the MACH3 controller software. MACH3 is a hobby controller software application that is used on a wide array of machines and machine tools that are converted from manual use to CNC.

KipwareM® ( milling ) is 100% compatible with MACH3. 

KipwareT® ( turning ) conversational module is about 95% compatible with MACH3. The Kipware® SketchPad is compatible with MACH3 regarding all finishing and contouring toolpaths created through the SketchPad. Roughing toolpaths created in the SketchPad utilize canned cycles ... which the limited MAC3 does not support. However ... we have made allowances to allow the user to create long hand G code ( which MACH3 fully supports ) through conversational menus. In essence ... you can create nearly every type of toolpath you require through KipwareT® ... and it will run in your MACH3 controller.

KipwareW® ( soon to be released - Wire EDM / waterjet / plasma ) is 100% compatible with MACH3. 

We just wanted to "get the word out" to those considering Kipware® conversational for their machines running MACH3.

We also wish to invite MACH3 users to explore Kipware® conversational in-depth as the differences between the limited MACH3 "wizards" ... as well as other "hobby" developers who tout their "conversational" applications ... and Kipware® conversational are extensive and important to consider.  Kipware® conversational includes an extensive and extremely flexible conversational module for standard toolpath applications combined with a powerful drawing and DXF importation application for those non-standard toolpath requirements. Kipware® conversational is proven-in-the-trenches for both the "hobby" machinist as well as full time, industrial metalworking facilities.

DUMP the "wizards" ... and GO PRO !!

We have worked very hard over the last 15+ years to take our Kipware® conversational out of the world of "wizards", "after thoughts" and "add ons" into the world of professional G code creation software. In addition, Kentech Inc. is a corporation ... our full time business is software development ... this is not a "hobby". Call our office ... you will talk with a real person. Kipware® is a registered U.S. trademark ... we have invested in our company and our products. We are and will always be committed to our products ... our clients ... and the constant improvement and enhancement of our software applications.

Kenney Skonieczny - President
Kentech Inc.

G Code Conversion ... Proving Why We Are The LEADER !!

We are currently developing a customized version of our Kipware® CNC XChange - G Code Conversion Software for a client that will convert G&L Numeripath 8000 G code to Fanuc 31i G Code. This project has given us a real opportunity to prove our metal ... and some of the conversions we have created are truly amazing !!!

The G&L control is fairly old ... BUT WOW WAS IT POWERFUL !!! It had features in it's programming language that were extremely complex and allowed the programmer access to a language that ... the only way I can describe it ... is as close to a BASIC type language that I have ever found in a CNC control. The ability to JUMP around in the G code ... the ability to use a very complex MACRO type language ... the ability to call and use external files ... and so many other features ... made this control the most powerful CNC control I have ever encountered.

The Fanuc control cannot even come close to matching it's power and features ... even using the Fanuc MACRO B option. Converting the powerful and complex G code from this G&L to Fanuc code has made for an EXCITING and CHALLENGING project ... and what we have been able to create is truly amazing. Allowing Kentech Inc. to prove once again ... we are the PIONEER and LEADER in G code conversion software.

Without going into a great deal of detail ... I have listed below some of the conversions we have accomplished. Keep in mind that these conversion are performed automatically by CNC XChange ... in a matter of seconds. The user simply browses for the file to convert ... presses the convert button ... and the resulting conversion is done all automatically.

Why are we posting this ... just to give you an idea of what we are capable of in the realm of G code conversion. If your shop floor suffers from the "CONTROL INCOMPATIBILITY" issue ...  we invite you to let the PIONEERS and LEADERS at Kentech Inc. free you from control incompatibility !!

-----------------------------------------------

Keep in mind that the below is all done 

AUTOMATICALLY by CNC XChange !!

Original G&L Code :
The code below can appear anywhere in the G&L code ... and DEFINES a sub program. The first line code DFS defines the NAME ... and the user programs a CLS,NAME in the program to jump to this sub program.


N01180 (DFS,LSMILL1, (LET, P200=PPW)
N01190 G01 X-6.00 Y0
N01200 G03 X6.00 Y0 I0 J0
N01210 G00 W=PPW+1.0,
N01220 G00 X=-[14.00 +.50 + 4.0],
N01230 G01 W=P200,
N01240 G01 X-10.37
N01250 G03 X10.37 Y0 I0 J0
N01260 G01 Y7.25
N01270 G00 W=PPW+1.0,)
N01280 !

G&L Jump Line in the program : 

N04300 (CLS,LSMILL1)

Converted Fanuc Code :

Fanuc controls do not have the same capability ... so we devised a conversion that leaves the same basic structure in place ... that's what the operators are used to ... and use the GOTO statement to work around it.


N01179GOTO 01280 ---- This line jumps over the sub definition during regular program execution
N01180(DFS,LSMILL1)
N01181#200=#5204 ------- We are also converting G/L to Fanuc macro !!
N01190G01X-6.00Y0.0000
N01200G03X6.00Y0.0000I0J0
N01210G00W[#5204+1.0]
N01220G00X[-[14.00+.50+4.0]]
N01230G01W[#200]
N01240G01X-10.37
N01250G03X10.37Y0.0000I0J0
N01260G01Y7.25
N01270G00W[#5204+1.0]
N01271GOTO #500 ----- Return line ... jump to the next sequence number after the sub call
N01280( )

Fanuc JUMP to Line in the Program : 

N04299 #500 = 04301 ---- This sets the variable #500 to the N number for the return from the jump

N04300M99P01180

N04301 ()

Keep in mind that we had to ADD and SEARCH and RESEQUENCE the N numbers ... along with providing the correct N numbers for the GOTO and M99 lines. Pretty complex !!

-----------------------------------------------

Original G&L Code :
The code below can appear anywhere in the G&L code ... and basically uses an IF statement to execute some G code commands. This client uses the same program on two different machines ( MACH desginated as 455 and 450 ). These lines look at a variable to see which machine is in use and executes the appropriate G code based on that.

N04200 (IFS, MACH EQ 455) G00 W30

N04210 (IFS, MACH EQ 450) G00 M63000 W-20

Converted Fanuc Code :

Fanuc controls do not have the same capability ... so we devised a conversion that leaves that uses a Fanuc based IF statement and the GOTO commands to either jump to the line defined by the macro variable or skip over it if the IF is false. Again ... a lot of REFORMATTING along with ADDING and SEARCHING and RESEQUENCING the N numbers.

N04200IF[ #9998 EQ 455]GOTO 04202

N04201GOTO 04203

N04202G00W30.0000

N04203()

N04210IF[ #9998 EQ 450]GOTO 04212

N04211GOTO 04213

N04212G00M63000W-20.0000

N04213()

-----------------------------------------------


Again ... Why are we posting this? Just to give you an idea of what we are capable of in the realm of G code conversion. If your shop floor suffers from the "CONTROL INCOMPATIBILITY" issue ...  we invite you to let the PIONEERS and LEADERS at Kentech Inc. free you from control incompatibility !!

Kenney Skonieczny - President

Kentech Inc.

Reaction from Featured Article in Production Machining

Wow ... thanks again to Gardner Publications for putting together and publishing the featured article in the January issue of Production Machining regarding our Kipware® conversational CNC programming software. What a reaction we've received !!

( In case you missed the article ... here's the link :
http://www.productionmachining.com/articles/simplifying-cadcam-programming )

We have been receiving a ton of calls and emails in response to the article ... the most common reaction is usually something like " ... this is exactly what we were looking for. Something simple to do the majority of our everyday programming without the complexity of CAD/CAM."

Well ... it looks like what has been our main marketing message all along is hitting home ... CAD/CAM IS A GREAT TOOL ... BUT FOR THE PROGRAMMING DONE EVERYDAY IN 95% OF SHOPS AROUND THE WORLD ... IT'S OVERKILL !!!

Kipware® conversational is powerful yet easy-to-use software that creates G code programs from fill-in-the-blank forms. Some benefits from Kipware® conversational :

• Create programs without a drawing and without CAD/CAM experience.
• No CNC programming experience required ... create programs from plain English fill-in-the-blank forms.
• Get your good chipmakers involved in your CNC programming ... get more done more efficiently.
• ... and on and on.

Now with our Subscription Purchase option ... you can put conversational programming on your shop floor for as little as $0.34 a day !!! Check out the details here : Kipware® Price List

You can get all the info on Kipware® and see what all the buzz is about here ... Kipware® Conversational

If you run a production setting ... or are just looking for a way to create those simple everyday programs quicker and easier ... we invite you again to look at Kipware® conversational.

STOP CAD/CAM OVERKILL !!!
FREE YOUR SHOP FLOOR !!!

Kenney Skonieczny -- President
Kentech Inc.

BETA Testing for New Version of CNC XChange

Per a customer request ... we are in the BETA testing stages for a new version of our Kipware® CNC XChange - CNC G Code Conversion Software.

This latest version is a milling version and will auto-convert Acramatic SX850 / 950 G code to Okuma OSP G code. The conversions include all tool change commands including the addition of height offset activation ... all canned cycle conversions including in-depth math calculations to auto-determine Z axis initial plane and R planes for drilling cycles.

Also included are some custom features requested by our client including a T code manual conversion option that can be invoked though a user setting. Because the T code in the Acramatic can be a muli-digit command incompatible with the Okuma format ... this option gives the user the opportunity to change the T calls along with the height offset calls on the fly as the conversion is taking place.

Stay tuned to the Kipware® CNC XChange page at www.KentechInc.com for additional details.

Kenney Skonieczny - President
Kentech Inc.

Kipware® Conversational Featured in Production Machining Magazine

This month's issue of Gardner Publications's PRODUCTION MACHINING magazine features an article on  Kentech's Kipware® conversational CNC programming software.

The main focus of the article deals with the basic fact that CAD/CAM is a great tool ... but for the 95% of the everyday programming done on shop floors around the world ... it can be overkill ... can slow down the programming process ... and can remove good chipmakers from the programming process. With today's shops struggling to find qualified personnel ... reducing the complexity on the shop floor is even more essential.

A couple of the highlighted points quoted directly from the article include :

1. " ... But for a large amount of the programming that takes place in shops each day, the complex capabilities of a typical CAD/CAM package may be considerably more than is needed, potentially slowing down the programming process and restricting the work capacity of good chipmakers who don’t happen to be proficient with the software."
2. " ... The addition of Kipware Conversational allows shops to focus their CAD/CAM personnel on the more complex workpieces while machine operators can quickly perform the simpler, everyday programming. With shops finding a shortage of skilled metalworking and CAD/CAM personnel, use of this software could potentially ease the programming burden and increase work flow."

Here is the direct link to the Gardner Publications website and the complete article :
http://www.productionmachining.com/articles/simplifying-cadcam-programming

We wish to thank Gardner Publications for preparing the article and for the opportunity to be featured in such a well respected magazine as Production Machining.

Kenney Skonieczny - President
Kentech Inc.

Kentech's Stupid Deal of the Week - 12/31 thru 1/6

If you haven't checked our Stupid Deal of the Week Special to start out the New Year ... you definitely owe it to your bottom line to do so.

We have done the math and 20+13 = 33 ... 
33% OFF any Kipware® Title or Titles over $300 that is !!

What a great way to start the 2013 with a purchase of some new productivity ... some new efficiency ... by eliminating rocket science from where it doesn't belong ... by putting the power of Kipware® - real world shop floor software - to work in your shop.

But ... this is a GREAT deal and we are limiting the quantities available so don't wait ... don't miss out ... order early. The Stupid Deal of the Week runs from New Year's Eve day until Sunday - 01/06 ... but with limited quantities I can guarantee you we will probably be ending the special early. So don't wait !!

Happy New Year to all ... we know you have a lot of choices in machine shop software ( although we feel few are made for the real world like Kipware® ) and want to thank you for exploring and considering Kentech's Kipware® software !!

Kenney Skonieczny - President
Kentech Inc.