RE: CPNC

>As someone that makes his living making parts for others in qty. from 1
>to several hundred, I can second this. By the time I've created
>geometry, run it through CAM, cleaned up the code, transferred to the
>computer running my MAX, proofed the program (visual run-through for
>errant moves), and set up the part and tool offset(s), I can often be
>done and on to the next part by being clever with manual setups.

Again, I sure wish I could get you in front of an AcuRite machine. All
you do there is create geometry by filling in blanks, enter the tool
size, and run it. The screen shows the part, the offsets are all figured
by the program, you dont even have the ability to clean up the code, its
not needed, and its all on one machine so no transfer is needed.

And, by the way, how about the modification to a part that needs to be
made when there are no drawings- a good CPNC lets you pick off points in
a 'learn' mode and run the job. Rollie makes a lot of money fixing parts
that people break or want modified.

ron