A Custom Conversational CNC Software Development Story

Recently we were approached by a client in Florida who was looking at our KipwareM® - Conversational CNC Programming Software for Milling ... trying to find a solution to assist his shop floor machinists create G code programs for workpieces running through their shop. Their workpieces were very targeted ... always containing the same materials and similar operations such as spot drill - drill - tap or spot drill - drill - countersink. They only machined a very specific list of hole types ... say 1/4-20, or 5/16 ream or 3/8-16 tap. etc..

After some lengthy discussions ... working closely with our client to understand his needs and requirements ... we both decided that the better approach was to create a more targeted and limited custom application that was specifically designed for their specific material, tools and machining operations. With the type of specifics ... it became clear that depths, tool #'s, and cutting parameters could be left out of the interface and auto-loaded during the program creation based on the simpler user inputs and selections.

The combination of our CSD ( Custom Software Development ) business unit experience with conversational software development and CNC programming and our clients machining experiences for their products ... were a perfect match and the user interface and software operation came together very quickly and easily. Kentech's CSD unit created a very targeted interface that included :

1. Choice of (3) materials
2. List of cycles that could be programmed ... the list only contained cycles specific for the clients operation ... nothing else.
3. The ability to enter X / Y coordinates for the hole locations.

Depths ... tool #'s ... cutting parameters were all stored in a TEXT file and auto-loaded by the software using existing Kentech developed algorithms for searching / reading / sorting text used in our G code conversion applications. Using a simple text file allowed for any user customization that may be required down the road ... and eliminated the need and cost for the client to come back to Kentech for minor modifications.

Taking it a step further ... the interface allowed the user to mix cycles together in one program. For example : the part had (5) 1/4-20 tapped holes and (4) 5/16 reamed holes.

The interface was simple ... but gave the operator powerful options like editing created cycle selections and deleting cycles. X / Y locations could be quickly and easily reviewed ... and edited on-the-fly if needed. Once all the inputs and cycles were selected ... the behind-the-scenes source code put it all together and auto-saved the G code program in a pre-defined user location on the network.

Programs with multiple hole types could be created in a matter of minutes ... with no prove out or dry run necessary. And the best part was that the shop floor machinists could create their programs without any need for assistance from the main programming department.

Working closely with our client we provided consultation and development ... and delivered the final software version in less than 7 days from the initial discussions.

Kentech's CSD business unit was designed and built for custom CNC and machine shop software development ... and has a strong track record with Fortune 500 companies ... and small shops ... looking for customized solutions for their manufacturing challenges. We invite you to look around your shop ... and if you can envision a customized solution to your manufacturing challenges ... contact Kentech's CSD unit to discuss the possibility of custom software development. The Kentech CSD unit has a motto : If you can DREAM it ... we can CODE it.

Click the link below for more info and to see projects completed by the Kentech Inc. CSD Business Unit : http://www.kentechinc.us

Kenney Skonieczny - President
Kentech Inc.