Currently looking for new software, what we have now requires no longer available operating systems, one Win2K license and many NT4 licenses running 10+ year old Esprit, version 11 & 12. The PC's can be easily replaced but the real problem is that Esprit refuses to continue selling us modules (dongles) and they, like all hardware, tend to die.
Our group programs all the parts needed in mould making for the glass industry. We do everything but the decoration and non-round cavities (that is done by another group with dedicated software). Without a language 10 to 30 programs (depending on complexity) per 8 hour shift per person simply isn't possible.
Prefer Windows based but we could be flexible for the right package.
We have looked at Esprit's latest offering and Visual Basic isn't quite what we had in mind - way too much training needed. We would need to learn Visual Basic before we could even attempt CNC source work. Something like Compact, Apt or what Esprit used to offer back in the day would be ideal. A nice blend of language and menu driven graphics for the odd part would get us functional in the least amount of time. All of us in the group have been at CNC programming for quite a long time (nearly 30 years myself) so obviously something we are already familiar with is what we seek.
Strictly menu driven software certainly has its place but when you need to program the same batch of widgets daily but with continuously changing sizes and feature list a language is what you really need to bang out the tapes. Guess I showed my age with that term - heh! With the setup we now use we can in some cases provide accurate (yet unique, size wise & feaure list) programs in as little as 10 minutes, try that using menu based machining! Of course we have had 10+ years to refine our sources and post processors.
We program common machine tools like four axis lathes, robot loaded turning centers, transfer lathes, 3, 4 & 5 axis verticals, horizontals, gun drills and etc.
Any recommendations?
Thanks, John