Machining Mate Does Many CNC Functions on Android Phones

Figure 1. Machining Mate main menu. (Image courtesy of Arkatek Studios.)

The “Machining Mate” application is available for Android devices and like many apps, the free version will display advertising. The application may be purchased for $5.52, which will remove ads and unlock functionalities like tap drill charts and advanced calculations.

Machining Mate has many useful reference tables including common GD&T symbols and names, a list of all standard letter and number drills with inch and metric equivalent sizes, common Fanuc CNC G/M codes lists including short descriptions of the standard letter addresses, a unit converter and six calculators. The GD&T symbols and the CNC G/M code features are all neatly presented in easy-to-read tables.

Figure 2. Standard drill size calculator showing the inch and metric sizes for the letter R drill. (Image courtesy of Arkatek Studios.)

The standard drill sizes can be set so the user can select the number or letter drill and the app will display the decimal inch and metric equivalent sizes. With the “Value to Size” option set, the user can select and “Submit” the drill size value to display the sizes as shown in figure 2.

Alternatively, the user can press the “Value to Size” button to change the display to the “Size to Value” mode. Now the decimal inch drill size can be selected and pressing the “Submit” button will display the value (number or letter) as well as the metric equivalent as shown in figure 3.

Figure 3. Standard drill size calculator showing the “Size to Value” option. (Image courtesy of Arkatek Studios.)

The application’s most valuable assets are the calculators. There are six built-in calculators: a cutting speed calculator, a chip load calculator, a spindle speed calculator, a feed rate calculator, a scallop/cusp height calculator and a tap feed calculator.

Figure 4. Cutting speed calculator displaying the cutting speed for a 5/8” diameter tool spinning at 700 RPM. (Image courtesy of Arkatek Studios.)

The “Cutting Speed Calculator” can be set to metric or imperial units. To use this function, simply input the diameter and spindle speed and select the “Calculate” button. The app will display the cutting speed as shown in figure 4.

To use the “Chip Load” calculator, input the spindle speed, feed rate (inches/minute) and the number of flutes on the cutter and press the “Calculate” button. The app will display the chip load as shown in Figure 5. There does not appear to be a metric equivalent for this calculator.

Figure 5. Chip load calculator displaying a chip load of 0.0067 inches per tooth. (Image courtesy of Arkatek Studios.)

The “Spindle Speed” calculator will display the required spindle speed given the diameter and cutting speed. This calculator will accept either metric or imperial input.

Input the spindle speed, chip load (feed per tooth) and the number of flutes on the cutter and the “Feed Rate” calculator will display the feed rate in inches per minute or millimeters per minute depending on the chosen units.

The “Scallop/Cusp Height Calculator” is an invaluable tool for anyone who machines three-dimensional surfaces. Inputting the ball nose tool diameter and the step-over value will generate the scallop height. For example, if a surface is being machined with a ¾-inch ball nose endmill and the step-over distance is 0.05 inches, then the scallop height will be 0.0008 inches as shown in figure 6.

Figure 6. Scallop height calculator showing the cusp height for a ¾” ball nose endmill stepping over a fifty thousandth of an inch. (Image courtesy of Arkatek Studios.)

The final calculator, available in imperial only, is the “Tap Feed Rate” calculator. With this calculator, the spindle speed and the threads per inch are input to display the required feed rate in inches per minute. Since the spindle speed and feed rate must be synchronized when tapping, this must be precisely calculated.

Overall, Machining Mate can be a very valuable tool especially for new engineers and/or toolmakers.

Machining Mate can be downloaded at Google Play. Give it a try and let us know what you think in the comments below.