Q: Would you Pre-Load the Calculator for me?
A: YES, at no extra cost. I will load the "Main Program Group" in the Main Memory, I will also load ALL the Program Groups in the Calculators Back-Up Memory. Very easy to Access. This is used to change Program Groups, there are three groups, The 1) Main Group, all the most common programs, the 2) programs that are rarly used Group and the 3) Bellows Program , or can be to re-load in case of memory error in the program. Instructions are in the Visual Manual. By doing this you won't ever have to load or re-load the programs from the computer, you can doing it right on the job.
Q: Can I change the Fractional Readout to read to the closest 1/16" instead of to the closest 1/32"? I have a hard time reading 32nd's but I can read 16th's easily.
A: Yes, there is a page in the manual, PAGE 30, that instruct's you how to do this. You can change it to readout to the closest 128th, 64th, 32nd, 16th, 8th 4th, 1/2" or just about anything you want. You must remember the Decimal readout is dead accurate and the Fractional readout is to the closest 32nd of an inch +/- 1/64th of an inch of the EXACT Decimal dimension and can accumulate. Lets say your decimal readout is 1.597 and the default fraction is set to the closest 16th of an inch, your fractional readout will show 1 5/8" which is actually 1.625 in decimal form, this is a difference of .028" or damn near 1/32nd of an inch. Lets say you are using this dimension as equal spacing for a square to round fitting and the round is 18" Outside dimension and you are using 20 equal spaces. Every time you step of f 1 5/8" your dimension is growing .028". At 20 Equal Spaces you will grow by .560" or 9/16" in circumference or 3/16 of an inch in diameter and if you need an outside diameter of 18" you will now have an outside diameter of 18 3/16". This is something you have to be aware of anytime you use fractions, this is where the "CONSTANT" Program comes in handy, see Manual.
Q: Can I print the Output Answers from a PC?
A: NO, as far as I know CASIO Calculators will not let you do this to date. There is a 9860 G Simulator Program on the Layout disc that I thought might do it but I couldn't make it work.
Q: Doe's the calculator screen show the flat pattern along with dimensions?
A: NO, I could do it but it would take up to much memory and would only hold a few programs. The visual manual works good as a substitute for this.
Q: Will your calculator accommodate for large diameter, thick wall pipe tee's and square sided transitions? It looks like it can, but what are the upper limits on sizes and wall thickneses (if any)?
A: There are no limits on size or material thickness on any of the programs.
Q: Is there a Metric version of these programs available?
A: Yes, there is now a metric version available in the 9860 G Series calculator on request at no extra cost.
Q: I just need a calculator to do basic things like Bend Allowances, checking K factors, length's of an arc and things like that. All though I know the formulas I would like something that would do things for me a bit faster. We are a sheet metal company and we don’t do any machining. Just NC punch and laser cutting and bending.
A: The calculator does everything you mentioned and a lot more. Works excellent with AutoCad for laying out special fittings for the laser, Plasma and WaterJet. You may not do a lot of this type of work, but it will do it. The Bend Allowance program works by deducting the Bend Allowance given from the calculator from the actual desired Outside Dimension's of the parts for the tru-bend line, its been proven out and very accurate! Most Bend allowance charts are based on the bottom forming die being eight times the material thickness. If you use a bottom forming die larger or smaller than 8X the material thickness the chart doesn't work, as you probably know. The calculator will ask you the nominal width of the bottom opening of the die and it calculates from that. It gives you a bend allowance that you deduct from each O.D. for the bend line. VERY EASY!! If you need an I.D. dimension held, you add one mat. thickness for each side to the I.D. which will give you an O.D. and deduct the Bend Allowance given from each O.D. side. It also gives you the actual K-Factor used and the true I.D. radius if using a top Punch/(Die) with a radius less than (calculated approx. 60%) of the material thickness. It also asks you if you are using a soft material like Alum., soft copper Etc. This B.A. is calculated approx. between the material's grain running with the bend or across the bend and will get you very close for the softer materials. To bring Alum. up to 90 deg's using a 90 deg. V die you should us a bott. Die at least 10 times the material thickness in width.
Q: I am union metal worker and a tool like this could prove usefull.my question is are all the programs really that easy to use,
I mean do I scribe a base line and the calculator gives you all the points to scribe from there.
A: The programs work just as you described. You just enter in the variables it asks you for I.E. Material Thickness, Diameter, # of Equal Spaces Etc. and you just transfer the Output Dimensions to your material. It reads out in the decimal, (Dead Accurate), and fractional, (to the closest 1/32nd +/- 1/64th) simultaneously for those that don't read decimals well. (Metric use's Decimals only). The 100 plus page Visual Manual visually shows you where to put your dimensions, very easy and its mathematically DEAD ACCURATE, you just add for all Lap's & Seam's if req'd. The Visual Manual is written for the person, like myself, that can read and understand a drawing faster and easier than he can read and understand the written word, however you should read all the note's on ea. program page, they answer a lot of questions. It is bound so you can easily fold back the pages 180` to make good flat un-distorted copies for the bench etc.