Metal Fabricating Glossary

machining

 noun

Definitions

1. Removing material from a metal part, usually using a cutting tool, and usually using a power-driven machine.

   Machining is preformed with three main methods:

   1. Turning: A machining process that cuts materials (usually metal) by moving a cutter along a workpiece while the workpiece rotates. The cutter is typically made of steel holder with an indexable insert made from carbide. Due to its fundamentals, turning operation produces only round, symmetrical parts.
   2. Milling: A machining process that cuts materials (usually metal) by rotating a round cutter as it moves along a workpiece. The cutter is either solid carbide or a steel body with indexable inserts. It can have one cutting edge or several (Up to dozens). More cutting edges yield higher material removal rates.
   3. Drilling: A machining process that cuts a circular bore in the materials (usually metal). Drilling can be performed on a milling machine with the cutting tool rotates against a static workpiece, or on a lathe machine, where the material rotates against a static drill. (The exact same drill can be used in both cases). Drills come in three main forms. Solid carbide for small diameters, Indeaxble heads for medium diameters, and indexable inserts on larger diameters.

External Resources

Machining Doctor

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