Above: Redesigned views for the Journey Canvas and Sankey chart.
When Bantam tools needed to create an industry leading user experience for their new desktop CNC machine, CEO Bre Pettis ( and Makerbot founder) reached out.
We kicked off our research by requesting a legacy machine from Bantam. This would give us the opportunity to
To have a true ‘out-of-the-box’ experience, we requested a legacy machine to setup and explore. This kicked off our research and allowed us to assess the
We began reviewing the new functional requirements to understand how the new desktop machine would differ from the legacy machine. For example the legacy machine was limited in the materials it could mill primarily printed circuit boards (PCBs). The new CNC machine would mill aluminum.
After designing the interface and core workflow patterns, we built a prototype in Axure for usability testing.
We recruited mechanical engineers who had familiarity with machining and prototyping and ran them though tasks to test our design theories. Usability findings helped us to update and refine our thinking and our designs.
The user experience for Bantam’s new milling machine software would be flexible enough to guide users through supported workflows, customizing the job along the way, or setup jobs manually, without guided help.
A single UI would also support input from either a mouse or a kiosk touch screen, supporting future product goals.
After releasing their updated product and user experience, Bantam gained customers new customers like SpaceX, Tesla, MIT, Mayo Clinic, US Army, Northrop Grumman, and Siemens.
The new CNC machine was voted Top-3 milling machine by core77, leading industry website.
The product's ease of use and interface has become a cornerstone for marketing. According to CEO Bre Pettis, “We’ve spent a lot of time on software so that it doesn’t take you two years to get up and running on it.”
Finally, the same user experience and workflow paradigms we created have continued to support multiple updates and releases as new features roll out.
"Matt and the team at UXanimal helped Bantam Tools transform a classically confusing UI for CNC machines into a modern, easy to understand process that lets our customers who are world changers and skill builders make their parts much more easily."
Above: Scenes from our research process; setting up the machine and milling the UXA logo on some aluminum, white boarding workflows, and building an interactive touchscreen prototype.
Above: Bird's eye view of the 'core' workflow, part of specification delivered to the development team.
Above: Bird's eye view of the 'core' workflow, part of specification delivered to the development team.
Above: One the key features we recommended was providing an early estimate of total milling time based on the file complexity. Previously users had to complete the entire setup process before seeing an estimate. This helped users understand if there was an issue with their file prior to milling. This is a screen from the specification we provided for the development team.
Above: This annotated product screen shows users being guided through the Material Setup process. New users could follow the step-by-step guide, or skip steps, reusing existing settings. It also shows the touchscreen input. The interface could be operated by a mouse or touchscreen input.
Above: Before and after, the new user experience clearly showing setup process steps as they are completed, helpful "Next' buttons guide new users.
Above: Final product an 'skinned' UI.
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