[cncsdr]

does anyone have the formula to tell me how long a cycle time would be ?

[HuFlungDung]

Cycle time = (path length in inches / feedrate inches per min)

Every change in feedrate requires a seperate term, and all rapid movements would also have to be sorted out in the same fashion.

[MetLHead]

I recently added this function to NCPlot. Just load in the G-Code file then go to Tools | Show part info. You can enter your machine's rapid rate and tool change time too.

www.ncplot.com Just click the NCPlot v2 link on the left then the beta 17 download link.

Thanks,
Scott

[BlueChip]

If your looking for a software package to help you out ... I would invite you to look at our KipwareQTE ... you can get either the CycleTime estimating as a stand alone or get it with the cost estimating module as well.

Info at www.kentechinc.com

You can create a database of your shop machinery specs ( rapid rate, tool change time, strokes, etc. ) and then create a database of your cutting parameters for materials for various machining operations ... the software then uses that info to auto-calculate machining cycletimes. You can create then auto create routings or import that info into the costing module and easily add material costs, tooling costs, etc. to create a quote / cost estimate.

Easy to use and gives you consistency and accuracy in your quotes ... less than $800 complete.

Thanks to CNC Zone for the opportunity to post.

[mrainey]

There's also ME Consultant Professional ($100), which will calculate all your machining times and costs very quickly. Now being promoted by CNC Concepts ( http://www.cncci.com ), a leader in CNC training and education for many years.

[Lars]

I would also recommend ME Consultant, it is a very effective program for cycle time, feed and speed recommendations and a lot of other neat stuff.
I MUST tool for every programmer.

Lars

[SRT Mike]

I am amazed that MasterCAM doesnt have a cycle time calculator built in - or does it and I am looking in the wrong place?

It seems like such an obvious thing

[PBMW]

Sure it does
Backplot the selected ops and it'll give you the runtime
Jim