| band saw |
A saw that uses a flexible blade constructed from a continuous loop or band of metal. Band saws can be used to produce rough cuts and separate stock for additional processing. |
| bed |
The main supporting structure upon which the operating parts of a machine are mounted and guided. Beds provide a foundation for various machine tools. |
| bed |
The main supporting structure upon which the operating parts of the machine are mounted and guided. Beds provide a foundation for various machine tools. |
| bed |
The main supporting structure upon which the operating parts of the machine are mounted and guided. The bed reduces vibration and provides stability for a machine. |
| beveled |
Angled in comparison to the major surfaces of a part. Beveled surfaces are created during chamfering. |
| boring |
The use of a single-point cutting tool to enlarge an existing hole. Boring can be done on either a lathe or a mill, and it helps create a hole that is concentric and that meets tight tolerances. |
| burrs |
A sharp, unwanted bit of material remaining on an edge after machining. Burrs can potentially cut individuals and often interfere with assembly. |
| cast iron |
A metal consisting of iron, over 2.11% carbon, and 1 to 3% silicon offering heat resistance and compressive strength. Cast iron is often used as a machine base material because it dampens vibration. |
| cast iron |
A metal that consists of iron, over 2.11% carbon, and 1 to 3% silicon and that offers heat resistance and compressive strength. Cast iron is often used as a machine base material because it dampens vibration. |
| centerline |
An imaginary line that divides a shape into two equal halves or that runs through the center of a cylindrical object. On a lathe, a drill machines a hole on the centerline of a workpiece. |
| chamfering |
Machining a small angled feature along a part edge. Chamfering helps remove burrs and aids in part assembly. |
| chips |
An unwanted piece of material that is removed from a workpiece. Chips are formed when a tool cuts or grinds a workpiece. |
| chuck |
A general term for standard workholding devices used to clamp a workpiece. Chucks are used to hold cylindrical parts on the lathe. |
| clearance |
An intentional amount of space left between two components. Clearance helps ensure two parts can move freely or ensures there is no contact between two surfaces. |
| column |
The rigid, vertical support section of the machine. Columns suspend components and tools over the workpiece as well as support them. |
| composite |
A material made from combining two materials from the separate groups of polymers, metals, and ceramics. In a composite, all the materials retain their respective characteristics. |
| computer numerical control |
CNC. The use of a computer and special programs to carry out various manufacturing operations. Computer numerical control can be run both lathes and mills used to machine parts. |
| concentric |
Having a common center or sharing the same axis with another object. If a smaller circle is concentric to a larger circle, it fits perfectly inside the larger circle. |
| contour milling |
Milling that requires non-linear tool movement along two or more axes at the same time to produce a curved surface feature. Contour milling creates complex shapes. |
| cutoff |
An operation performed on the lathe that uses a cutting tool to separate a finished part from the rest of the stock. A cutoff operation is often the last step on the lathe. |
| cutting edge |
The edge of a cutting tool that engages the workpiece material and removes material in the form of chips. A tool may have a single edge or multiple cutting edges. |
| cutting tool |
A tool with one or more cutting edges designed to engage a workpiece and remove material in the form of chips. Cutting tools ideally exhibit excellent hardness, toughness and wear resistance. |
| deflecting |
The unintended movement or repositioning of a cutting tool or component due to a mechanical force. Deflection, or walking, of a cutting tool can cause poor surface finish and inaccurate dimensions. |
| drill |
A multi-point tool used to penetrate the surface of a workpiece. Drills are most frequently used to make round holes. |
| drill press |
A machine tool that is used for a range of holemaking operations such as drilling, reaming, and tapping. A drill press is limited to only vertical motion of the spindle in order to feed the cutting tool into the workpiece. |
| drilling |
Using a multi-point tool to machine a new round hole into the surface of a workpiece. Drilling can be done on a drill press, lathe, or mill. |
| end mill |
A milling cutter that can be used for both peripheral and face milling. End mills engage the bottom and edges of the milling cutter. |
| end milling |
A milling operation that uses a narrow cutter to machine surfaces both parallel and perpendicular to the spindle axis. End milling may cut with both the bottom and sides of the cutting tool. |
| face mill |
A flat mill cutter with multiple cutting teeth on the periphery of the tool. The bottom of the face mill is the primary cutting surface during face milling operations. |
| face milling |
A milling operation involving a relatively wide cutter that removes material from the part to produce a flat surface. Face milling is typically done to establish the part's height on the mill. |
| facing |
A turning operation that removes material from the end of the rotating cylindrical part. Facing is typically done to establish the part's length. |
| feeds |
Gradually moving the cutting tool along the workpiece surface during operation. Feed represents the linear or circular movement of the tool during cutting. |
| finish |
To alter the texture or appearance of a part in order to obtain the desired tolerance and surface appearance. Finish can affect the way parts fit together. |
| finishing |
A later stage in a series of operations designed to bring the part feature to its final size and produce the required surface finish. Finishing operations often require faster speeds and a lighter depth of cut. |
| fixture |
A customized workholding device that is designed to effectively support, locate, and hold a specific workpiece design. A workpiece with multiple, complex dimensions often requires a dedicated fixture. |
| grooving |
The process of cutting a channel or passageway on the inner or outer surface of a cylindrical workpiece. During grooving, the tool is fed into the rotating workpiece radially to a specified dimension. |
| holemaking |
A machining operation in which a single-point or multi-point cutting tool creates, sizes, or finishes a hole. Holemaking encompasses a number of operations, including drilling, boring, reaming, and tapping. |
| indexes |
Rotates from one fixed position to another fixed position. Lathe turrets and mill toolchangers index tools into place. |
| inner diameter |
ID. The interior surface of a hole or cylindrical feature. Inner diameter cutting operations include drilling, boring, and tapping. |
| insert |
A geometrically shaped component made of hardened material that is inserted into a toolholder to provide a cutting edge. The insert offers multiple cutting edges and can be indexed to present a new cutting edge after the prior edge is excessively worn. |
| lathe |
A machine tool that is used to produce a range of cylindrical workpieces. On a basic lathe, the part is rotated in a spindle while the cutting tool is guided along its exterior diameter or into the part to create a hole located on the part's centerline. |
| live tooling |
Rotating cutting tools held in the turret of a lathe. Live tooling allows the lathe to perform holemaking operations away from the centerline of the part as well as other operations traditionally done on a mill. |
| machine tool |
A very general term for any powered machine that is used to manufacture parts by guiding a tool. Common examples of machine tools include the saw, the drill press, the lathe, and the mill. |
| machining |
Manufacturing a part by using a tool to remove material in the form of chips. Milling, drilling, turning, sawing, and grinding are all types of machining operations. |
| metal |
A naturally occurring material with high electric and thermal conductivity, luster, density, and strength. Examples of metal include copper, iron, nickel, and lead. |
| mill |
A machine tool that is used to produce a range of rectangular or prismatic workpieces. On a basic mill, the part is clamped to a worktable while a rotating cutting tool is passed along its various surfaces to remove material or is fed into the part to create holes and other features. |
| milling |
A cutting operation in which a rotating multi-point cutting tool is fed along a part's surface to remove material. Milling operations are very versatile and generally produce flat surfaces. |
| multi-point tooling |
A machining tool that has two or more cutting edges. Multi-point tooling operations use such tools as mills, drills, and reamers. |
| outer diameter |
OD. The outer surface of a cylindrical workpiece or feature. Outer diameter cutting operations include turning, cutoff, threading, and grooving. |
| plastic |
A material consisting of very large molecules that is characterized by light weight, high corrosion resistance, a high strength-to-weight ratio, and a low melting point. Most plastics are easily shaped or formed. |
| pocket milling |
The use of a milling cutter to create an interior recess in the surface of a workpiece. Pocket milling may create square, round, or rectangular pockets. |
| profiling |
A machining operation performed on a lathe that feeds a cutting tool along a non-linear path. Profiling creates complex or curved features in a cylindrical workpiece. |
| ratio |
The relationship between two quantities sometimes expressed as a fraction. On the lathe, ratio is an expression of taper in inches per foot, such as 1:12. |
| raw material |
An unprocessed material that has not yet been manufactured. All workpieces begin as raw material. |
| reamer |
A multi-point cutting tool with straight cutting edges that is used to enlarge or smooth holes that have been previously drilled. Reamers look similar to a drill but lack a cutting point. |
| reaming |
The use of a cutting tool with straight cutting edges to enlarge or smooth holes that have been previously drilled. Reaming can tighten the tolerance of a machined hole. |
| reciprocates |
To move back and forth repeatedly. Some sawing operations involve a reciprocating motion. |
| rotary tables |
A worktable on a mill that provides an additional rotational axis for positioning the workpiece. Rotary tables are helpful in machining complex parts. |
| roughing |
A cutting pass that emphasizes high material removal rates at the possible sacrifice of surface finish or accuracy. Roughing cuts are often the first cuts made in a machining operation. |
| sawing |
A basic metal cutting process that uses a blade with a series of teeth on its edge to cut a narrow opening in a workpiece. Sawing may be used to produce slots or grooves or to separate a workpiece into two pieces. |
| single-point tooling |
A machining tool that has a single cutting edge. Turning and boring are performed with single-point tooling. |
| slot milling |
A milling operation that produces a narrow channel or groove in the workpiece. During slot milling, an end mill engages the workpiece on its bottom and sides. |
| spindle |
The part of the machine tool that spins or rotates. Mill spindles hold cutting tools, while lathe spindles hold workpieces. |
| spindle |
The part of the machine tool that spins or rotates. On the mill, the spindle holds a cutting tool, while on the lathe, the spindle holds the workpiece. |
| spot drilling |
The use of a shorter, sturdier drill to locate a hole for drilling. Spot drilling often uses a drill size slightly larger than the hole diameter to leave a chamfer after the hole is drilled. |
| surface finish |
The degree of smoothness of a part's surface after it has been manufactured. Surface finish is the result of the surface roughness, waviness, and flaws remaining on the part. |
| table |
The part of the machine that supports the workpiece and any workholding devices. Tables often move to change the position of the workpiece relative to the cutting tool. |
| table |
The part of the machine tool that supports the workpiece and any workholding devices. Tables often move to change the position of the workpiece relative to the cutting tool. |
| tailstock |
The component located at the end of a lathe opposite the headstock. Tailstocks support the end of longer workpieces. |
| tapering |
Cutting a workpiece to form a shape with a gradually decreasing diameter, similar to the shape of a cone. Tapering can be performed on a lathe. |
| tapping |
The process of cutting internal threads in a round hole with a multi-point tool. Tapping can be performed on a drill press or lathe. |
| thread |
A long, spiraling groove that is machined into a workpiece. Threads are essential for the creation of fasteners. |
| threading |
The process of cutting a long, spiraling groove into a workpiece with a single-point tool. Threading processes are essential for the creation of fasteners. |
| tolerances |
An unwanted but acceptable deviation from a given dimension. Tolerances indicate the allowable difference between a physical feature and its intended design. |
| toolchanger |
A device on a machining center that arranges multiple cutting tools in order and then positions these cutting tools for replacement. Toolchangers allow many cutting tools to be used in a single operation. |
| toolpath |
The course followed by the tool as it creates the workpiece. Toolpaths are often described by a series of coordinate positions. |
| turning |
A machining operation that rotates a cylindrical workpiece while a single-point tool is guided along the length of the part. Turning is performed on a lathe. |
| turret |
The component of a lathe that holds a number of cutting tools. The turret rotates to place tools in the cutting position. |
| vise |
A workholding device with two jaws that grip and hold a workpiece in place. Vises are often used to hold workpieces on a mill or machining center. |
| vise |
A workholding device with two jaws that grip and hold a workpiece in place. Vises often hold workpieces on a mill or machining center. |
| walking |
The unintended movement or repositioning of a cutting tool or component due to a mechanical force. Walking, or deflection, of a cutting tool can cause poor surface finish and inaccurate dimensions. |
| ways |
Two precisely measured, parallel tracks that support and guide the movement of a machine tool component. Lathe ways guide cutting tool movements, while mill ways guide the position of the mill table. |
| workpiece |
A material that is being machined or undergoing another type of processing. Workpieces can be shaped by processes such as cutting, welding, and grinding. |