Partmaker, a CAD/CAM system for Windows 95, 98, 2000 and NT, is designed to reduce part programming time. Said to be the first practical knowledge-based CAM system, Partmaker averages a 70 percent time reduction in part programming compared to other systems for CNC mills, lathes and turn-mill centers and Swiss-type lathes, according to the company. The company applies a visual programming strategy to simplify the programming of CNC Swiss-type lathes and turn-mill centers. The software helps the operator break a complicated part surface into a set of planes or faces. machining tasks, such as turning, plane milling and cylinder milling are carried out separately for each face in an intuitive matter. visual programming assures quicker learning and ease of use. The software supports most models of CNC Swiss-type lathes, including those manufactured by Citizen, Star, Hardinge and Tsugami.