Like everything you do in your shop, there is a cost associated with program storage and retrieval.
We see shops with 50 or 100 CNC machines still using a laptop or some sort of antiquated switch-box system with thousands of feet of wiring to communicate with their machines. Let us show you how you can drastically reduce costs and gain much better control over your CNC data management.
ShopWare’s preffered CNC Data Management partner is Cimco Integration. 
CIMCO Integration develops and markets software for Computer Integrated Manufacturing. Our product line includes CNC-Editors, DNC software for storing and retrieval of NC-programs, NC-program optimization, post processors, and rapid NC-program simulation. CIMCO Integration has sold more than 100,000 software licenses through experienced CAD/CAM/CNC resellers and consultants all over the world. The close contact and quick feedback between our resellers, experts, our customers and us, coupled with the will and ability to day-to-day invention, development and implementation ensure us a leading position – and our customers competitive products.
CIMCO Integration was founded in 1991, and from the beginning we have been focused on providing software solutions and integration work in the area of Computer Integrated Manufacturing. Today we develop and market a wide range of products, including CNC-Editors, DNC-Servers, software for rapid NCprogram simulation, and database applications for managing NC-programs. In addition to the development of our own software products, we provide CAD/CAM solutions and consulting for 2½ -, 3- and 5-axis CNC-programming for manufacturing companies worldwide.
Cimco Edit 6
CIMCO Edit 6 is the editor-of-choice for professional CNC programmers who demand a reliable, full-featured and professional editing and communication tool.
CIMCO Edit 6 is the latest version of the most popular CNC program editor on the market. With over 80,000 licenses distributed in the past few years, CIMCO Edit is the editor-of-choice for professional CNC programmers who demand a full-featured and reliable, cost-effective professional editing and communication tool.
Every aspect of CIMCO Edit 6 is new, from the multi-pane tabbed layout to the dynamic toolbars and menus. CIMCO Edit 6 also includes new and powerful tools such as an enhanced file compare utility, a reengineered graphical backplotter, and the new NC-Assistant programming tool.
Full-featured CNC editor
CIMCO Edit 6 provides a comprehensive set of essential editing tools necessary for meeting the demands of modern CNC program editing.
It has no program size limitations and includes CNC code specific options such as line numbering / renumbering, character handling and XYZ range finder. It also features math functions including basic math, rotate, mirror, tool compensation, and translate. CIMCO Edit 6 offers all the functions expected from an editor including drag-and-drop text editing. Best of all CIMCO Edit 6 is completely configurable and is easily adapted to any existing CNC program editing environment.
Faster editing with NC-Assistant
The NC-Assistant makes editing NC code faster and easier than ever. Point at any M or G code and the NC-Assistant will identify the code allowing you to modify values using an interactive interface linked to the CNC code. Input the desired values for any register and the NC-Assistant updates the CNC code automatically.
The NC-Assistant in CIMCO Edit 6 allows you to quickly insert and edit complex cycles and operations. CIMCO Edit 6 includes built-in cycles and macros for the most common operations such as program start, program stop and tool change. You can also record or create custom cycles and macros for the operations most common to your own specific setups and applications.
Graphical Backplotter
The 3D Mill / 2D Lathe backplotter handles your 3-axis Mill and 2-axis lathe CNC programs with step and continuous forward and reverse plotting. Edit the CNC program and the update is automatically reflected in the plot. Analyze the plot with dynamic zoom, pan, rotate and measuring functions. CIMCO Edit 6 supports solid visualization of NC code with toolholder collision check and gouge detection.
Intelligent File Compare
CIMCO Edit 6 features a fast and fully configurable side-by-side file compare, allowing the user to quickly identify CNC program changes. The file compare identifies changed and deleted / inserted lines, but ignores trivial format changes like block renumbering and spacing. Differences are displayed one line at a time, all at once or printed side-by-side for offline review
CNC Communications and DNC
CIMCO Edit 6 includes DNC capabilities for reliable RS-232 communications with a variety of CNC controls. With the DNC option you can send and receive CNC programs to multiple machines simultaneously from inside CIMCO Edit 6.
Cimco DNC-Max 6
DNC-Max 6 provides end-to-end functionality designed to make every aspect of CNC communications more reliable and efficient.
DNC-Max 6 is the latest version of the most trusted CNC communication software on the market. From its highly adaptable remote request and auto-receive to its advanced client/server architecture, DNC-Max continues to be the software solution-of-choice. DNC-Max provides end-to-end functionality designed to make every aspect of CNC communications more reliable and efficient.
DNC-Max is for customers who demand performance, flexibility and reliability. Whether your solution is for a small shop with a few CNCs or a corporate solution for hundreds of machines in multiple remote facilities, DNC-Max is the proven solution.
DNC-Max meets or exceeds the functionality and flexibility of any other DNC application on the market. DNC-Max is the obvious choice for any size CNC operation.
CNC Compatibility
DNC-Max is designed to be the complete DNC solution for all your CNC equipment. In addition to standard Fanuc/Haas style controls DNC-Max includes the most comprehensive support for Heidenhain, Mazak, Fagor, etc.
Hardware Compatibility
DNC-Max works with off-the-shelf, industry standard RS-232 serial communications hardware, including Ethernet and Wireless serial device servers, traditional card based hardware, and existing legacy hardware.
CNC File Compatibility
Whether you set up your first system or you replace an existing system, the DNC application you choose must be compatible with your data. DNC-Max eliminates the need to update all your existing NC programs.
Ease of Use and Administration
File transfers, port monitoring and system administration are performed in a clean, intuitive client/server interface. This is part of the system’s intelligent, solution driven design.
Extending the Power of DNC-Max
DNC-Max integrates with CIMCO NC-Base 6 for a complete CNC program management solution, and MDC-Max for machine data collection and shop floor monitoring.
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Cimco PDM 6
CIMCO PDM 6 is a paperless manufacturing data management system that helps you manage, control and securely store CAD/CAM files, NC programs, setup sheets, tool lists, quality documents, images and any other production related data.
Meeting your high goals in productivity and quality today and in the future requires a constant focus on optimizing your company’s processes and workflows. A strategy for managing information needs to play a central role in any company where getting the right information to the right people and equipment as efficient as possible is crucial.
CIMCO PDM is a paperless manufacturing data management system that helps you manage, control and securely store CAD/CAM files, NC programs, setup sheets, tool lists, quality documents, images and any other production related data.
With PDM you get all the functonality you would expect from a modern data management system and then some. PDM helps you centralize all your production documents in one secure place on your network and handles user permissions, backup, restore and revisioning of all associated production documents.
Any file or document managed by PDM can easily be located from any networked PC (with the PDM client installed) and sent directly to the shop floor in seconds. This allows for a more efficient workflow where both CNC programmers and machinists have access to all of their necessary data at a glance.
Working with CIMCO PDM
Structuring production data in CIMCO PDM works somewhat similar to how files are structured in e.g. Microsoft Windows® with folders containing sub-folders (referred to as Levels in PDM). However, PDM can be configured to secure what files can be added to specific folders and what users have permission to view, modify, approve or delete these folders and files. This helps enforce the folder structure and ensures that files are always placed in the correct folders.
By default the root folders in your structure are configured as Project folders and given a project name as they are added. Project folders can then be configured so only Part folders can be added to them. Part folders can further be configured so only CAD files can be added to them and CAM files below the CAD files, etc. You can even configure what additional information PDM should require when a new Project or Part folder is created. In this way PDM provides a highly flexible way to configure and enforce your information structure.
Standalone or Integrated
CIMCO PDM consists of a client and a server application. For a minimal setup the PDM client and server can be installed and run on the same standard Windows PC. However, for a large setup the server application can be installed sperately on its own dedicated server and have an unlimited number of networked PDM clients access the server data. So, whether you are a small shop with one or two machines or a large manufacturer with a hundred machines PDM can scale to meet your requirements.
PDM can be integrated with a company’s existing applications such as editors and DNC software from many leading vendors. PDM can even tab into other information systems as long as it can gain access to the physical files.
PDM can also take advantage of CIMCO software products such as CIMCO NC-Base, CIMCO DNC-Max and CIMCO Edit. If you are already using NC-Base then PDM can be installed “on top” of NC-Base as an extension and continue using the existing database server. Similiar if DNC-Max is installed PDM can use it to send and receive files directly to and from CNC machines. Finally, with CIMCO Edit installed PDM can use it for advanced viewing, editing and backplotting of NC-files.
Cimco NC-Base 6
CIMCO NC-Base 6 is a CNC program management tool that allows you to organize and manage your CNC programs and related production documents.
CIMCO NC-Base is a CNC program management tool that allows you to organize and manage your CNC programs and related production documents.
Management of part programs and associated production documents is often a time consuming task for CNC programmers and operators. CIMCO NC-Base 6 takes care of that job and goes one step further. By providing an integrated and highly flexible management, search and editing environment, programmers and operators are guaranteed to work more effectively.
Information Management
Achieving product and quality goals today requires that the correct information and data get to the right individuals and equipment as efficiently as possible. NC-Base is the CNC program management tool that allows you to organize and manage your CNC programs and related production documents most effectively through the use of a reliable and fast SQL relational database.
CIMCO NC-Base is production centric, designed to be used by people in the programming department and on the shop floor. With NC-Base CNC programmers and production staff can assemble virtual folders containing all the necessary data used by machinists, operators, quality staff, and others who are responsible for finished parts.
Why just send CNC programs to the shop floor when you can also provide setup sheets, tool lists, images, and other vital information required to manufacture parts? This information may be accessed from PCs running the NC-Base Client or printed out for manual distribution. Either way, NC-Base helps ensure the right part gets made right every time.
CNC operators can access and update the database directly from the CNC control, or any PC on the shop floor.