Just a follow-up. We got the automatic loader up and running. This machine is fantastic! In fact I have loaded the hopper with parts, and left to run errands, get lunch, etc., come back and have finished parts. We have been running some bar-work for the addition to our product line, and have even run many parts "lights out". Loaded a bar the other night, went home and went to bed, came back in the am, and had a basket of parts (all well within spec. I might add). We're "lovin it". Back to the OP...easiest to learn G-Code and bang out the programs in Notepad. Since many of our parts live in certain "families", we have found it really easy to perfect one program, spend a bit of time getting everything down. Then we use this as a "template" for others in that family by just changing pertinent dimension. A couple days ago I used this technique, took about an hour or so tweaking the first program, then created a dozen or so more in about 20 minutes total.

I have an OmniTurn GT-75. Purchased it used last December. The products I make are pretty simple, so no CAM software is necessary, or in my case, desired. I hand-code on note paper, then type into the control. Could be done in "Notepad" (MS word, or any text editor as well) and transferred to the control, whic I've done, and is pretty easy. My OmniTurn control has the 3-1/2" floppy drive, so I bought an external 3-1/2" drive that plugs into my PC via USB. To get up and running with my first program took about 15-20 min., though I will admit I am somewhat familiar with g-code. These are really simple-to-use controls, but have quite a bit of power. Download the manual from www.omniturn.com for your control, then read it thoroughly. Be careful though, I can tell the manual was written by an engineer (being one myself), so it's a bit cumbersome and is "all over the place". I am working on and INDEX and Table Of Contents for mine just to make it easier for me to locate what I want. Be careful, as with ALL gang-tool machines as the tooling is cramped on the tooling plate, so machining the spindle with a tool next to the one you are working with can happen. As for capacity, it uses 5C collets, so about 1.06" diameter, and figure about 4" to 5" length will be you max. For my products, this is right in the "sweet-spot". BTW- I am getting cycle times on some of my simple parts (second-op) of under 7 sec., INCLUDING loading (have built a chute and catch tray for unload). I also put a "loop" in every program so it gives a warning at a certain part-count so the operator is instructed to QC a part before emptying the tray and re-starting the program. Future plans include an automatic loader and continuous run, with stop at the QC count. Overall I love this machine.....should have bought one YEARS AGO!!! Yes, there are other gang-tool machines with faster rapids, but for my operation, that would save maybe fractions of a second per cycle, over the course of a year..... I doubt it would make up the difference in cost. If you have a bar-feeder you can loop the program with a stop at the end of the bar. We have an addition to the product-line that this will be very handy for. Enables the operator to perform other tasks (cleaning, packaging, etc.) while the machine "churns out" parts. Mo Money, Mo Money, Mo Money!!!