Any users of Kipware?

[machinery_e]

Do any of you guys that have a full blown CAD/CAM package also use Kipware? I'd be interested in hearing your experience with it, and if its something that offers time savings for simple parts?

 

[Imachine909]

Which part of the software are you asking about?

I had some seats of the quote module and some odds and end add on's they developed some years back one point.

 

[machinery_e]

CAM side-milling and turning.

 

[Vancbiker]

Conceptually, I like the idea of a product like kipware. 25 something years ago I told the owners of SmartCam that it would be a good idea to continue their older 2.5 axis software as a separate product from their evolution into a 3D package. There were lots of users at the time that were plenty satisfied with the 2.5 axis package and had no use for 3D as their work did not require it. The 3D package was cumbersome and slow when being used to create 2.5 axis paths compared to the old 2.5 axis version.

Today, I wonder if the same holds true. Part designs have grown more complex in many cases. At least for the work I find myself doing, a 3D package is mandatory

 

[Herding Cats]

Conceptually, I like the idea of a product like kipware. 25 something years ago I told the owners of SmartCam that it would be a good idea to continue their older 2.5 axis software as a separate product from their evolution into a 3D package. There were lots of users at the time that were plenty satisfied with the 2.5 axis package and had no use for 3D as their work did not require it. The 3D package was cumbersome and slow when being used to create 2.5 axis paths compared to the old 2.5 axis version.

Today, I wonder if the same holds true. Part designs have grown more complex in many cases. At least for the work I find myself doing, a 3D package is mandatory

One thing I like about solidcam is when they add new stuff they don't take away the legacy stuff. Because of this there are several different ways to accomplish the same thing. It also eases the learning curve when upgrading to a new version since you can continue to do stuff the old way if you don't have time to learn new features at the moment. I have an entire dashboard just for 2.5D work. While it could be programed with 3d paths it's often much faster and more simple on the 2d side.

No need to over complicate something that works just fine when it's simple.

 

[Vancbiker]

One thing I like about solidcam is when they add new stuff they don't take away the legacy stuff. Because of this there are several different ways to accomplish the same thing. It also eases the learning curve when upgrading to a new version since you can continue to do stuff the old way if you don't have time to learn new features at the moment. I have an entire dashboard just for 2.5D work. While it could be programed with 3d paths it's often much faster and more simple on the 2d side.

No need to over complicate something that works just fine when it's simple.

The issue SmartCam had was that their 2.5d package had its core software developed in the late 70s as a turret punch programming software running on an appleII. No CAM involved. You drew the profile you wanted to machine from a print. As CAM came into more mainstream use, they made a few kludgy add-ons to make use of wireframe. When they introduced their 3D package, CAM was firmly entrenched and the old core software was not going to be capable of carrying them into a 3D world.

As a small company, the decision made was to drop the old product from new sales and eventually stop supporting it.

I still like the idea of something like kipware has. There are still lots of folks doing simple things. Particularly, those with simple machines like routers. No need for the capability/complexity that most modern CADCAM has.

 

[vmipacman]

I don't have Kipware but have looked at it several times for giving a non-computer CAM user the ability to easily run the VMC and generate simple code. Install it directly on the DNC computer and they can do their own simple programs. And also for turning code. It would be great for most simple parts run by someone not a CAD/CAM expert.

How does the quoting module work for you Imachine? Is it simple and flexible for a small shop with low volume, or better for high volume? A lot of trouble to setup and use on the fly? Does it keep all the part parts in a database so you can easily find previous part numbers and use as a basis for another similar part quote? Is it a few steps up from a spreadsheet, but way short of an ERP quoting pkg?

 

[Imachine909]

I don't have Kipware but have looked at it several times for giving a non-computer CAM user the ability to easily run the VMC and generate simple code. Install it directly on the DNC computer and they can do their own simple programs. And also for turning code. It would be great for most simple parts run by someone not a CAD/CAM expert.

How does the quoting module work for you Imachine? Is it simple and flexible for a small shop with low volume, or better for high volume? A lot of trouble to setup and use on the fly? Does it keep all the part parts in a database so you can easily find previous part numbers and use as a basis for another similar part quote? Is it a few steps up from a spreadsheet, but way short of an ERP quoting pkg?

@vmipacman Honestly I'm not daily user and never have been, but at one time I had four people using it daily. In no way is it a full blown ERP package. As for going from a spread sheet to this quoting module it's a huge step up all the way around. It does fine quote jobs that you are chasing minutes on cycle time nut not seconds. It will store all quotes for quickly pulling them for reference. From install to making a quote was maybe six hours, but there were many details that we didn't have set up at that time. I now have Job Boss and I will say that it's not nearly as user friendly as Kip was. I high recommend Kip if the approach to moving from spread sheet to the system is taken with open mind.