Machinist's Edge
![The Feed Rate Calculator page displayed on an Asus ZenBook Duo 14. The primary screen shows an illustration of an end mill next to some form input fields; the second screen shows four saves for different end mills.](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2FMachinistsEdge-thumbnail.882250e4.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Description
Machinist's Edge is a collection of calculators and charts created for the RISD Industrial Design Metal Shop's CNC milling machine. These tools improve the operation experience and reduce calculation errors.
Visit Machinist's Edge- Date
- 2022-10 to 2023-02
- Colors
- warm white
- black
- Media
- UI/UX design
- development
Challenge
![The Tormach PCNC1100 milling machine in the RISD Industrial Design Metal Shop.](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2FMachinistsEdge-challenge-1.6cfcd789.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Operating a CNC milling machine is a complex and demanding process that requires the operators to perform a series of measurements, calculations, and cross-checks. This process can be slow and error-prone.
![A collection of end mills for the CNC milling machine, varying greatly in height and shape.](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2FMachinistsEdge-challenge-2.879eb1c0.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
![A half-inch ball end mill that is being measured on a flat marble surface with a height gauge.](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2FMachinistsEdge-challenge-3.23eccf66.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
User interviews determined that the following four tools would greatly improve operator efficiency, reduce errors, and improve overall safety:
- Feed Rate Calculator
- Calculates the spindle speed and feed rate for a specific end mill performing either a drill or mill operation on a certain material. End mill profiles can be saved.
- Tool Length Calculator
- Calculates various lengths of a tool based on provided measurements. Tool profiles can be saved.
- G- & M-code Charts
- Searchable charts containing descriptions of common and shop-specific G- and M-codes for cross-checking and troubleshooting.
- Tap & Clearance Drill Sizes
- Searchable chart containing tap/drill and clearance hole diameters for different screw sizes.
![The tool length calculator page displayed on a MacBook Pro 16 in light mode.](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2FMachinistsEdge-design-1.5e14fec7.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
![The G- and M-code charts page displayed on a Pixel 6 Pro in dark mode.](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2FMachinistsEdge-design-2.efc3dc11.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
![The feed rate calculator page displayed on a Pixel 6 Pro in light mode.](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2FMachinistsEdge-design-3.731f6d3e.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
The design of Machinist's Edge is large and comprehensible, providing operators with unmistakably clear information.
![The feed rate calculator page displayed on a Surface Pro 8 in dark mode.](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2FMachinistsEdge-design-4.1e97aa83.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
![The tool length calculator page displayed on an iPhone 14 Pro in dark mode.](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2FMachinistsEdge-design-5.78856573.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
![The save section of the tool length calculator page displayed on an iPhone 14 Pro in light mode.](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2FMachinistsEdge-design-6.e123d9c2.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
![The tap and clearance drill sizes page displayed on a Surface Pro 8 in light mode.](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2FMachinistsEdge-design-7.14d73b75.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
![The tool length calculator page with a should length error displayed on a Nothing Phone (1) in dark mode.](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2FMachinistsEdge-errors-1.053c3653.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Error prevention is one of the major goals of Machinist's Edge. Regardless of the screen size, errors are always clearly marked and instantly recognizable at a glance.
![The feed rate calculator page with a cutter diameter error displayed on a MacBook Pro 16 in dark mode.](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2FMachinistsEdge-errors-2.e63a4436.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
![The feed rate calculator page with a cutting feed error displayed on a Nothing Phone (1) in dark mode.](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2FMachinistsEdge-errors-3.d974afdb.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
![The tool length calculator page with a base-to-should length error displayed on a Nothing Phone (1) in light mode.](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2FMachinistsEdge-errors-4.b5847463.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
![The tool length calculator page with a shoulder length error displayed on a Surface Pro 8 in light mode.](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2FMachinistsEdge-errors-5.abdf42df.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
![A OnePlus 7T Pro on a workbench displaying the tool length calculator page in dark mode.](/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2FMachinistsEdge-status-1.bae6a117.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Machinist's Edge is currently in open alpha. The project is open source and may see more development in the future.