Accurate Machining CycleTime Estimating - The Key

No matter what system you utilize to create your cost estimates and quotes ... everything starts with an accurate machining cycletime estimate. The phrase ... "Oh, that should take about two and a half minutes to machine." ... is doing more harm to your bottom line than you are probably even aware. This type of guesstimating ... especially when it comes to machining cycletime ... is throwing the whole cost estimating process that comes down the line into question.

If the machining cycletime estimate is not correct ... you could be winning work ... but unprofitable work. And that's just what your shop doesn't need ... wasting time manufacturing parts that are losing you money. Taking machine time and employee energy away profitable work.

So what is the KEY to accurate cycletime estimating?

Having lived and "grown up" on the shop floor ... we realize that the MAIN KEY to accurate cycletime estimating is to utilize the cutting conditions and parameters that can actually be reproduced on your shop floor ... with your equipment.

It doesn't do any good to estimate using an RPM or SFM and feedrate that your shop floor can never duplicate ... or utilize a method of machining that your shop floor would never follow or duplicate.

Sure cycletime estimating software that has feature recognition and auto-determines the method of machining will get you a time quickly and get that estimate done quickly ... but what good is it if your shop floor would never machine the part using the method the software determined?

Cycletime estimating software that boasts thousands of materials and speeds and feeds is expensive and seems powerful and complete ... but if your shop floor can't duplicate that "book knowledge" speeds and feeds ... what good is it?

So Kentech's KipwareCYC® software is different? How?

It certainly is ... and I'm glad you asked.

First : 
KipwareCYC® is a database driven application ... utilizing a user-defined database for machine specifications ( max RPM, rapid rates, tool change time, etc. ) and user-defined cutting parameters ( speeds, feeds for various materials and machining operations ). This insures that the calculated times accurately reflect what happens on your shop floor ... the key to accurate cycleltime estimating. You create the database and input YOUR specifications and cutting parameters.

Second : 
Using the various outputs and travelers available from KipwareCYC® ... the more you use the software, the more accurate it becomes. For example : the Routing Sheet that is automatically created from KipwareCYC® provides the operator / set-up personnel with a complete list of cutting parameters and times for each operation as the part moves through the shop. This means he has a targeted RPM, feedrate and time for each operation. If any of those factors cannot be achieved ... a report back to the estimate creator will result in an adjustment to the database information ... perhaps a revision to the SFM or feedrate or chip load used for a specific machining operation. Next time ... the RPM and feedrate will be more accurate. So the more you use the software ... the more accurate it becomes.

Ugh ... Entering ALL that database information !!!
Actually ... a couple of points that may have crossed your mind. First ... we do ship KipwareCYC® with installed database information for common machines, materials and cutting parameters. But again ... this is just to get you started ... you really need to make the database information your own. Here is what we recommend.

Let's say today you receive an RFQ for a 316 stainless part that requires some turning. You gather the machine specs for the lathe you're going to use and grab the normal cutting parameters the shop uses for 316 stainless. One additional point here ... most shops use a common insert that works well for them for specific machining operations ... there really isn't a need for a dramatic, all encompassing speeds and feeds database with info you'll probably never use ... let's keep it simple and keep it real. So you enter that data and now ... 316 stainless is done !! Next time you get an RFQ the info is all there and ready to go. With this system ... you are building the database as you are preparing quotes and winning work !!! It's a win -win ... with long term benefits.

So ... the moral of the story is?
No matter how you are arriving at your machining cycletime estimate ... the one certainty is to insure that it is utilizing the cutting conditions and parameters that can actually be reproduced on your shop floor ... with your equipment.

If you are looking for a software application what will insure that key ... we invite you to check out our KipwareCYC - Machining CycleTime Estimating software HERE.

Kenney Skonieczny - President

Kentech Inc.

Easiest CAM Ever - Part Deux - CNC Turning

Easiest CAM ... for turning ... Ever?

Take a peak at our latest YouTube video featuring the Machinist Mode for the Kipware® SketchPad illustrating a CNC turning example.

Don't be fooled by the underdeveloped and severely limited "wizards" ... 

GO PRO with Kipware® !!

Kenney Skonieczny - President

Kentech Inc.

Easiest CAM Ever - The Machinist Mode in the Kipware® SketchPad

If you are looking for the easiest, fastest, no-experience-required CAM application on the market ... the Kipware® SketchPad is for you.

Check it out in our latest 2 minute presentation video :

Don't be fooled by the underdeveloped and severely limited "wizards" ... 

GO PRO with Kipware® !!

Kenney Skonieczny - President
Kentech Inc.

Quotation Tracking -- Why It's Essential to Your Business

Regardless of how or what you use to produce your quotations ... once they are delivered ... what next?

As essential as producing an accurate cost estimate and delivering it in a timely manner ... the "what next" is just as or perhaps even more essential to your business's bottom line. Having a tool that can help you understand ... really understand ... your quoting and estimating process can mean the difference between winning work and winning profitable work ... or simply spinning your wheels, losing money without even realizing it or just plain ole losing out to the competition.

And we are not just talking about following up on your quotes with your customer ... we're talking about really getting under the hood and inspecting your quoting and estimating process in detail.

Having lived and grown up on the shop floor ... Kentech Inc. has created a variety of real world machine shop software applications to address the needs we actually experienced during those years "in the trenches". Their designs are easy-to-learn and easy-to-use because they are stripped of all the clutter and useless functions no one ever uses. Their purpose is not to be the most expensive or to have the prettiest pictures ... their purpose is to enable and empower our users to solve the real world issues their shop faces every day.

Our KipwareTRK® - Quotation Tracking and Analyzing Software fits that mold exactly. KipwareTRK® is a powerful tool that will allow you to really get under the hood of your quoting and estimating process to get answers to questions like :

• Which quotes need to be followed up on?
• Which follow-up method works the best?
• Why are we winning work? ... Why are we losing work?
• Why are we winning more aluminum work and less stainless work?
• Why are we losing milling work but winning turning work?
• What industry is most of our work coming from?
• What quantity range do we most commonly win ... or lose?
• In what price range are we most effective?
• ... virtually just about any question you have can be answered with KipwareTRK®

Because KipwareTRK® is user defined ... it's capabilities are virtually limitless. What do we mean by "user defined"?

In KipwareTRK®, the user has the capabilities to completely set-up the software and it's criteria's. First ... the user can define up to (16) main criteria categories. Some examples might be :

• Industry
• Quantity Awarded
• Result
• Follow-Up Status
• Material
• Reason for Acceptance
• Type of Machining
• ... or anything else the user decides.

Next ... the user has the ability to define an unlimited number of sub-categories under each one of the (16) main criteria. Some examples might be :

• Under Industry : Aerospace, Prototype, Energy, etc., etc.
• Under Quantity : 1-50, 51-100, 101-150,  etc., etc.
• Under Result : Quote Awarded, Quote Delivered Late, Quote Too High,  etc., etc.
• Under Follow-Up Status : Email Required, Phone Call Required,  etc., etc.
• Under Type of Machining : Mill-Turn, Grinding, Milling, Turning, Waterjet, etc., etc.
• Under material : Steel, Tool Steel, Aluminum, etc., etc.

Because each one of the (16) main categories can have an unlimited number of sub-categories ... the power and detail available in KipwareTRK® is expanded exponentially.

But what happens with all that data?

Combine all that information with powerful sort ... filter ... and graphing tools ... and KipwateTRK® allows you to view and analyze your quoting and estimating process in ways never before imaginable. KipwareTRK® really allows you to get under the hood ... inspect the details ... and adjust your approach to quoting and estimating to insure that process extends beyond just delivering the quotation.

Make sense?

We invite you to explore KipwareTRK® in greater detail ... watch the video presentation ... or arrange for a live, online demo at the KipwareTRK® page of your website here : http://www.machineshopsoftware.com/KipwareTRK.html.

Did we mention that KipwareTRK® can also be used to track product through the shop? ... well that's a story for another post ... or can you visualize the possibilities?

Kenney Skonieczny - President
Kentech Inc.

New G Code Conversion Application -- Kipware® CNC XChange

Since 1986 ... when we developed our first G code conversion application for Raytheon ... Kentech Inc. has been the pioneer and a leader in G code text conversion software. In addition to our off-the-shelf versions ... we often develop custom G code conversion applications to meet client specific requirements.

Recently we were approached by  a client who was looking to develop a G code conversion application to handle the following requirements :

• The client had a large quantity of existing turning programs that utilized the tool tip programming point as the center of the tool nose radius ( TNR ) ... no cutter compensation ( G41 / G42 ) was utilized.
• A new machine was about to be delivered and the client wished to change over to standard programming practice in which the programming point would be the actual tool tip.
• PROBLEM : How to auto-convert all those existing turning programs into a format compatible with the new machine ... to be used on the new machine ... and maintain consistency on the shop floor.

We set to work.

In an unheard of time frame of just 2.5 weeks ... we designed, developed and BETA released a new version of our Kipware® CNC XChange software that met the clients requirements. Here's how it works :

• The user simply BROWSES for the file to be converted ... and selects CONVERT
• Kipware® CNC XChange then ... first ... gathers the tool information from the existing program and displays a list for the user.
• Using the existing programs set-up sheet ... the user enters the original tool's nose radius and selects the tool nose cutting position from a graphic display. The user also has the ability to change to T code command to match the new tool's position in the turret.
• Once all the tooling information is complete ... Kipware® CNC XChange then performs all the math ... auto-adjusts and replaces the X and Z coordinates ... and performs a variety of other G code conversions required to transform the older programs into a format compatible with the new machine.
• The original G code program and the converted G code program are then displayed in a side-by-side editor for review and any additional editing the user might desire.
• All automatically ... all within a time frame of less than 3 seconds !!!

Tool Configuration Screen ... the user selects from a list of available
graphic tool representations to "tell" CNC XChange where
the tool is cutting and what kind of tool it is.

Utilizing our G code conversion development skills and real world chip making background ... we are able to bring our clients existing G code programs from old, outdated G code to modern, standard G code with a minimum of time and effort. This version of Kipware® CNC XChange allows them to utilize their thousands of existing G code programs in their new machine ... saving hundreds if not thousands of of re-programming and editing hours.

Have a control incompatibility issue on your shop floor?

Why not put the G code conversion development skills of Kentech Inc. to work on a solution? We can help your shop realize seamless integration between all your machines resulting in increased efficiency and production.

You can check out all our off-the-shelf G code conversion applications here :
http://www.kentechinc.net/

Contact us toll free at 1.888.754.1198 or via email at Sales@KentechInc.com to discuss your G code conversion requirements.

Kenney Skonieczny - President
Kentech Inc.

Beat the Metalworking Skills Shortage with Kipware®

Almost everyone in metalworking has heard of or been directly impacted by the huge skills shortage for machinists and CNC personnel. So ... we thought it beneficial to devote a post here to outline some of our products that can directly aide in this area.

First : 
Kipware® Conversational CNC Programming Software

Let's face it ... as our marketing message states ... not every CNC programming project is rocket science ... and 95% do not require a rocket scientist to get it running. So then why do most shops insist on pushing every CNC project through their expensive ... complex ... CAD/CAM system? And force themselves to look for ... struggle to find ... the experienced, expensive CAD/CAM operator?

The truth of the matter is you probably have experienced operators and other chipmakers right now in your shop ... with a proven track record ... that can easily be moved to the next level with some assistance. Efficient shops move to upgrade these individuals from operators to programmers and utilize them in programming roles for the simple ... standard .... everyday CNC jobs being programmed in 95% of shops in the real world everyday. Simple milling ... drilling ... shaft turning ... grooving ... threading ... etc ... etc ... etc.

A tool like Kipware® conversational with it's easy-to-use ... machinist friendly ... fill-in-the-blank ... design and interface can greatly assist these individuals in creating the simpler everyday CNC programs. Kipware® conversational will utilize and exploit their existing proven skillset and help move them to the next level ... allowing you to focus on the hiring of less skilled individuals to fill their now vacant role. Benefits extend all around ... your workers receive increased self-worth and shop becomes more efficient by increasing your programming output and saving the CAD/CAM for the jobs that are more complex work that truly requires a CAD/CAM system.

The idea that every job must move through the CAD/CAM system is hurting your efficiency ... period.

Check out all the Kipware® Conversational details ... CLICK HERE for more.

Second : 
KipwareEDU® Training Software

When we created our KipwareEDU® software ... our design was simple ... take our existing, proven-in-the-trenches programming course which we had utilized in shops around the country ... and turn it into a software package. We basically designed the in-depth text explanations in KipwareEDU® around our existing training curriculum ... and added 3D animation for enhanced understanding.

The design of KipwareEDU® mimics as an E-book ... can be and is being used for individual, self-paced training as well as by instructors for a complete CNC programming and training course. KipwareEDU® has been proven in shops around the world and is used by individuals, companies and technical schools around the world.

No matter what your need ... programming training ... operator training ... basic manufacturing engineering ... Fanuc Custom Macro ... there is a KipwareEDU® module / version that can help. Check out all the details of KipwareEDU® ... CLICK HERE for more.

Kenney Skonieczny - President
Kentech Inc.