Software Development Report - December 2014

At Kentech Inc we're proud of the fact that ... 

we don't just TALK THE TALK ( blog & tweet ) ... 

we WALK THE WALK ( develop ... invent ... enhance ... create ).

Because there are a lot of so called "software companies" out there who spend a lot of time TALKING ... and not much time DOING. 

All the software developers here at  Kentech Inc. take great pride in our continued and constant development ... enhancements ... and creation of all our CNC and machine shop software titles. We are always marketing some of the little unknown items users should check when buying software ... things like Version #'s that tell the amount and scope of development and enhancements being implemented by software companies. High Version #'s illustrate a companies commitment to develop and change and enhance ... which all usually take a lot of development time, cost and commitment ( our list is proudly displayed below ).

Many software users talk about the cost of "maintenance agreements" ( which Kipware® has never had BTW ) and how hard it is to find more than color or button position changes changes in major software yearly "upgrades". Leading users to wonder what they are truly getting for those hefty yearly maintenance fees.

For us ... it's time to put it out there. Time for our yearly Software Development Report to inform users and potential users what we have been up to this past year ... to demonstrate the kind of PARTNER you will find in Kentech Inc.. As was last year ... this has been another aggressive year in 2014 ... details are below. ( If you missed last years review you can find it here. )

KipwareM®
Current Version # 16.4.1
Conversational CNC Programming Software for Milling

1. An additional 4th Axis conversational menu was added to our already robust 4th axis KipwareM® lineup in April ...  TAPER SLOTTING. This option allows users to create G code programs to machine single or double taper slots using only the conversational, fill-in-the-blank forms.
2. DXF import of hole locations was released also in May. This feature allows for quick and easy programming of multiple hole locations by allowing for the importation of hole locations through a DXF file.

KipwareT®
Current Version # 17.2.1
Conversational CNC Programming Software for Turning

1. We added  a new KNURLING conversational menu in January
2. Our major Y AXIS conversational programming option was completed and released in March. KipwareT® now has conversational programming options for a variety of milling operations to be performed with live tool and Y axis capabilities including pocketing, boss machining, thread milling, helical milling and much more.
3. In November we released enhancements to the OD and ID THREADING menus. New and improved algorithms result in a much smoother toolpath and allow for more user options ... including LEFT HAND THREADING. In addition ... cycles can now more easily be created for plotting in KipwareTP®.

Kipware® SketchPad

Current Version # 10.1.2
Conversational CAD/CAM

1. We continue to enhance the capabilities of the Kipware® SketchPad and in May released new EDITING options for ELEMENTS contained in Kipware® Sketches. This new feature allows users to easily alter and edit previously drawn elements or elements that may have been imported through a DXF file.  
2. In August we released two new EDITING features for the SketchPad ... AUTO-TRIM and FILLETING ... allowing for even more editing capabilities for previously drawn elements or elements that may have been imported through a DXF file.
3. In October we released a massive enhancement to the DXF import capabilities of the SketchPad. Per the requests and with the assistance of one of our users who was working with very complex DXF files ... we now have a greatly improved and much more powerful DXF import capabilities for both milling and turning drawings.

KipwareCSF®
Current Version # 2.0.0
Machining Speed and Feed Wizard for Kipware® Conversational

1. KipwareCSF® was released in February allowing users to create a database of speed and feed parameters that lead to auto-calculation of RPM and feedrates along with auto-import of those calculated speeds and feeds into Kipware® conversational cycle forms.
2. KipwareCSF® was completely integrated into both KipwareM® ( milling ) and KipwareT® ( turning ).

KipwareTP®
Current Version # 9.4.0
Toolpath Plotting & Editing Software

1. We improved the integration between the KipwareTP® EDITOR and PLOTBOX with a new release in May. This improved integration allows for better and easier communication between the on-screen plotting PLOTBOX and the full featured KipwareTP® Editor.

KipwareQTE®
Current Version # 13.1.1
Machine Shop Job Costing and Estimating Software

1. Completion of our translation of KipwareQTE® and release of the Chinese version of KipwareQTE® was completed in February.
2. In August we completed development and released a user requested feature for KipwareQTE® ... SCRAP and RE-WORK. Using simple user inputs combined with powerful "under the hood" calculations it is now quick and easy to insure these often missed costs can be auto-included in your costs and estimates with KipwareQTE®

KipwareCYC®
Current Version # 6.0.0
Machining CycleTime Estimating Software

1. In March we released integration between KipwareCSF® ... the speed and feed wizard for Kipware® conversational .... and KipwareCYC®. This allows users to utilize the SAME speed and feed parameters used when estimating machining cycletime with those used when creating cutting programs in Kipware® conversational.
2. In April we released a new enhancement to the CUTTING DATABASE in KipwareCYC® that doubled the number of Sub-Categories under each material's Main Category from (5) to (10). For example : a milling cutter defined in the database under ROUGH MILLING can now have (10) sub-definitions rather than the previously allowed (5). This greatly improves the flexibility and power of KipwareCYC®

KipwareXC®
Current Version # 14.0.1

G Code Conversion Software

1. Many of our enhancements come as a direct result of an end user request. In November one of our KipwareXC® users needed the ability to replace G code commands with multiple lines of new code. As a result we developed an enhancement for KipwareXC® that allows user to configure "trigger codes" ... codes for the software to look for ... and insert BEFORE or AFTER that line either a SINGLE LINE of user defined code ... or with the complete contents of a user defined TEXT FILE. This is a very powerful feature that will benefit users in many scenarios.

Kentech Inc. Business News

News Regarding All Things Kentech Inc.

1. We are proud to continue our business relationship with our NEW VAR in BRAZIL ... RG Assesoria. In September we released the BETA version of a new version of CNC XChange built for the Brazil market ... ROMI MACH9 < -- > Fanuc - Turning Version. We are continuing our development for this version as well as other G code conversion titles applicable to their market and look forward to many new releases in 2015. 

Just one more thing .... With enhancements and development like this, shouldn't you become a member of the Kipware® family ?

It's not too late to make an IMPACT PURCHASE for 2014 ....

A purchase that will really have a positive impact on your bottom line ... on your shop floor ... A Kipware® Purchase !! from www.KentechInc.com

Kenney Skonieczny - President
Kentech Inc.

New Brazil Distribution for Kipware® Announced

Kentech Inc. is pleased to announce our partnership with Mr. Ricardo Alexandre de Godoy and RG Assessoria for exclusive distribution of all Kipware® titles in Brazil.

RG Assessoria currently distributes and supports a variety of CNC related products including DNC software, simulation software, TopSolid CAM and GOelan products. We are very pleased that Ricardo and his team have included our Kipware® products into their lineup and look forward to a long and healthy future for Kipware®, RG Assesoria and all CNC clients in Brazil !!

For more information on RG Assessoria ... you can visit their website at www.rgaonline.com.br.

New Releases for KipwareM® and Kipware® SketchPad

Kentech Inc. is pleased to announce the release of new features for both KipwareM® - Conversational CNC Programming Software for Milling and the Kipware® SketchPad - Conversational CAD/CAM Software.

Kipware® SketchPad :
New feature released regarding the Element List Box that include :

• Ability to scroll through the elements in the listbox and have the element highlighted out in the drawing during scrolling.
• Ability to highlight an element in the listbox ... press the E key ... and then edit the element for revision.
• You can review these features in video format by CLICKING HERE or by going to the Kipware® Video Training webpage.

KipwareM® :
New DXF import feature released :

• Added the ability to import point / hole locations from a DXF file into the hole locations in the conversational HOLE menu.
• All POINT entities in the DXF will be auto-imported as X/Y hole locations and will be auto-added to the list of holes to be included in the G code program / cycle.

All features as listed above are shipping standard for KipwareM® as well as the Kipware® SketchPad as of 5/9/2014.

Kenney Skonieczny - President

Kentech Inc.

Don' be fooled by simple, limited, under-developed

G code "wizards" ...

Go Pro with Kipware® Conversational !!

New Video - Machining Cycletime Estimating with KipwareCYC® from Kentech Inc.

No matter what you are using to produce your cost estimates and quotations ... if you are not realistically estimating your machining cycletime ... you are still GUESSTIMATING. Basing your labor charges on quesses or pie-in-the-sky cutting parameters that result in inaccurate machining cycletimes will still produce inaccurate cost estimates and lost profits.

Since 1986, over 25+ years, our proven-in-the-trenches cycletime estimating software ... KipwareCYC® ... has been providing accurate and fast machining cycletimes that insure that the KEY FACT to successful cycletime estimates is achieved. What is the KEY FACT to accurate cycletime estimates ... THAT THE MACHINING CONDITIONS AND PARAMETERS USED IN THE ESTIMATE CAN ACTUALLY BE REPRODUCED ON YOUR SHOP FLOOR.

Book knowledge ... theoretical speeds and speeds ... fancy speed and feed calculators ... don't do ANY GOOD if those parameters cannot be reproduced on YOU SHOP FLOOR. The numbers sound and look good ... are easy to obtain with those fancy calculators or speed and feed software ... but if they are not being used on your shop floor your estimated time vs. actual time will not be accurate and your cycletime estimates will not be accurate. The result ... longer actual cycletimes and lost profits.

Why and How is KipwareCYC® different?
Check out this past post that lays it all out in detail :
http://kentechinc.blogspot.com/2013/07/accurate-machining-cycletime-estimating.html

Click the image or link above to explore the How's and Why's of
ACCURATE CYCLETIME ESTIMATING

With a New Year upon us and all the possibilities that lay ahead ... are you ready to
STOP GUESSTIMATING and START ESTIMATING ??

We created a new training video that illustrates the process of creating a machining cycletime estimate using our KipwareCYC® application. Why not give it a look?

Click the image above to view this new KipwareCYC® Video Presentation

Click the image above to schedule a live, online demonstration of our KipwareCYC® software.

Click the image above to visit our website and view additional information on KipwareCYC®

Kenney Skonieczny - President

Kentech Inc.

Kipware® is Going to India !!

Kentech Inc. is pleased to announce the finalization of our distribution agreement with Jayashree Enterprises for distribution of Kipware® software in India. Jayashree Enterprises will operate in the Indian states Mahastra, Gujrat, Karnatak and Chennai distributing a wide array of Kipware® titles.

We welcome this new adventure in India and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with Mr. Venkatesh Kulkarni and Jayashree Enterprises.

Kenney Skonieczny - President
Kentech Inc.

Kipware® is Going to China !!

Kentech Inc. is pleased to announce our relationship with Randy Gu and AAASCM Consulting Co. Ltd. for distribution of Kipware® software in China.

In addition to providing sales and support in the China market ... Randy and AAASCM will be assisting in the translation of various Kipware® titles into Chinese.

We expect the first release of the first Chinese titles to be completed before April of 2014.

We welcome this opportunity and are looking forward to a long and prosperous future with Randy and AAASCM Consulting Co. Ltd.

Kenney Skonieczny - President
Kentech Inc.

Coming in June ...

We are pleased to announce that we will be releasing our newly revised and enhanced KipwarePA® - G Code Programming Assistant application in the middle of June.

Here are a couple of teaser screen shots :

KipwarePA®'s MILLING Mode

KipwarePA's TURNING Mode

Create G code with a simple POINT-AND-CLICK interface.

You can easily customize BUTTONS to output your specific required outputs !!

KipwarePA® was designed to give users an easy programming application in which they can create G code programs. Who can benefit from KipwarePA® ? Basically ... anyone who CREATES ... EDITS ... or works with G code ...here is why :

• By eliminating typing errors, misplaced codes, missed codes and mis-formatted codes it assists the user to create a error free and efficient programs.
• KipwarePA® uses a simple point and click interface. By clicking the buttons on the screen the user can add movement...G code...M code...just about anything to the program being created.
• If more than the click is needed, KipwarePA® will auto-display a fill-in-the-blank form and will auto-convert the entered form data into the correctly formatted corresponding G code output and add to the program editor.
• As code is being created it is displayed on the screen ... this is a great way to learn G code programming !!
• Once the program creation is completed ... the code in the window is auto-converted and displayed in our full featured. G code Editor. The Editor is fully G code specific with tons of features like auto-sequencing and re-sequencing, add / remove spaces for readability, and much more. In addition, the Editor can be used from scratch to create or edit ANY G code program ... whether created in KipwarePA® or not.
• Our KipwareTP® Toolpath Plotting software is also included ... plot programs created in KipwarePA® or ANY G code program.

So .... the complete lowdown :

• KipwarePA® also is included standard with all Kipware® conversational, full version purchases ... the best of both worlds !!
• KipwarePA® is also available as a stand-alone application and includes :
• KipwareTP® - Toolpath Plotter and Editor
• KipwareDNC® - Serial Communication Software

As always ... UPGRADES for Kipware® conversational software are FREE and INCLUDED for (3) months ... so making a purchase of ANY Kipware® conversational application now will insure you get a FREE UPGRADE to the new KipwarePA® when released in June !!!

So don't wait ... DUMP the WIZARDS !!! ... GO PRO with Kipware® Conversational !!

Kenney Skonieczny
President - Kentech Inc.

Mid Year Development and Upgrade Report - Kipware® Conversational

At this almost mid-point of 2013 ... we thought it time to update everyone on all the new features now being shipped standard in our Kipware® conversational software ... as well as all our conversational companion applications.

So here we go .... or watch the UPGRADE VIDEO HERE.

KipwareM® - Conversational CNC Programming Software for Milling

• We recently added (3) new menus : 
• Qualify Stock ... conversationally create G code to machine the ends of a workpiece
• O Ring Groove ... conversationally create G code to machine a user defined O Ring Groove
• Custom EIA Cycle ... create blocks of user defined G code ... great for 4th axis work.
• Round & Helical Pocketing Enhancements ... users can now easily create pocketing and helical cutting G code for multiple locations ... describe the cutting once ... then either input user defined X/Y locations or use the BC, Grid, Holes-On-An-Angle menus and have KipwareM® auto-calculate the locations. 

KipwareT® - Conversational CNC Programming Software for Turning

• Custom EIA Cycle ... create blocks of user defined G code ... great for 4th axis work.

Kipware® SketchPad - Conversational CAD/CAM

• By far the BIGGEST and MOST TALKED ABOUT upgrade ... We recently added our patent-pending Machinist Mode ... just move the tool with the mouse to create your roughing G code for milling, turning, wire EDM, waterjet and plasma.
• For an in-depth explanation please refer to this recent "... In The Trenches" post : http://kentechinc.blogspot.com/2013/04/easiest-cam-ever-you-decide.html

KipwareTP® - G Code Editor and Toolpath Plotting Software

• Users now have the ability to create graphical tool representations that can be included in the G code plot.
• Users can also create Plotting Tool Lists that link the graphic tools with "trigger" codes. For example : T0101 might call a 55 deg diamond graphic ... T0202 might call a .125 OD grooving tool ... etc.. When the G code is being plotted ... trigger codes will cause the tool graphic to change as indicated in the Plotting Tool List.
• Added an On-Screen Measurement feature ... use the mouse to "measure" points along the plotted toolpath.

You can watch our UPGRADE VIDEO using the link below for a more in-depth look at each new feature and to see all the new features in action.

WATCH the Upgrade Video ... Click Here

Many thanks to ALL our fabulous Kipware® users for making Kipware® conversational the NEW STANDARD in conversational CNC software !!

Kenney Skonieczny - President
Kentech Inc.

Don't SETTLE for a limited, underdeveloped "wizard" ... 

GO PRO with Kipware® Conversational !!

Why Kentech Software?

As 2008 nears an end ... and with the worldwide economic meltdown still in gear ... we at Kentech Inc. are happy to report a still increasing rise in our software sales. 2008 will set a record for yearly sales volume. Thank you to all our customers and VAR's for their loyal support and efforts.

We are committed to our philosophy of creating REAL WORLD software solutions that produce REAL WORLD results ... but we wonder what it is that makes customers choose our software products over others. During sales calls, we asked customers "Why us?" ... here are some responses :

1. "Well, I think your marketing for KipwareM is true. Sometimes CAD/CAM is a little too much ... even overkill. When we need a simple program, it makes more sense to have one of the shop floor machinists create the program, and KipwareM will assist them in getting it done quickly and correctly."
   
2. "We looked at the other estimating packages and even though the cost was much higher than yours, the thing that really turned it for us was the complexity of their packages. That translated into a lot of stuff we would never use ( but were paying for ) and a learning curve that was just not acceptable in our situation."
3. "We sold a customer an Okuma machine who had a house full of Fanuc controls. One of the main reasons we got the sale was your CNC XChange software. They had thousands of Fanuc based programs that they would be wanting to run on the new Okuma. CNC XChange was the only solution on the market ... and we got rave reviews from our other offices and their customers who have used it in the past."
4. "We are primarily a casting house but customers are asking us about some simple machining on their castings to enable us to send them a finished product. Nothing complex, just simple milling and drilling, tapping, etc.. We purchased a used machining center and your KipwareM looks like the perfect solution to assist us getting it up and running ... with our limited CNC experience. Your sales rep explained that the software was designed for everyday programming of everyday workpieces .. and that's exactly what we will be doing."
5. "My buddy and I are starting our own shop and the KipwareMAX package appears to have everything we need to get started ... and the price is right!!"
6. "Another shop in town which we do some work for told us about the KipwareQTE software that they are using and are very happy with ... so we figured that was a good endorsement."
   

These are a few of the reasons recent customers trusted Kentech Inc. and our software products ... helping make their 2008 productive as well.

If your shop is searching for productivity solutions ... whether on the business side or the shop floor side ... we hope you will consider our "proven in the trenches" software solutions. Please contact us at any of the numbers below should you have any questions regarding any of our software titles.

Toll Free Voice : 1-888-754-1198
Voice : 508-754-1198
Email : Sales@KentechInc.com

Happy New Year to all ... And best wishes for your 2009 Productivity !!!

Kenney Skonieczny