Machining

Machining is a manufacturing process where a desired shape or part is created using the controlled removal of material, most often metal, from a larger piece of raw material by <a href="/facts/Cutting/kuSSgehx">cutting</a>. Machining is a form of subtractive manufacturing, which utilizes <a href="/facts/Machine_tools/XPHaqz0p">machine tools</a>, in contrast to <a href="/facts/Additive_manufacturing/lbvWU3t0">additive manufacturing</a> (e.g. <a href="/facts/3D_printing_processes/k9EKVdgM">3D printing</a>), which uses controlled addition of material.
Machining is a major process of the <a href="/facts/Manufacture/3qW7bcdy">manufacture</a> of many <a href="/facts/Metal/PT8hNX6R">metal</a> products, but it can also be used on other materials such as <a href="/facts/Wood/z13NpHPl">wood</a>, <a href="/facts/Plastic/Kla5QItn">plastic</a>, <a href="/facts/Ceramic/9JKudpqX">ceramic</a>, and <a href="/facts/Composite_material/UBysQldh">composites</a>. A person who specializes in machining is called a <a href="/facts/Machinist/xDJ6pwtp">machinist</a>. As a commercial venture, machining is generally performed in a <a href="/facts/Machine_shop/h2c7Xlp3">machine shop</a>, which consists of one or more workrooms containing primary machine tools. Although a machine shop can be a standalone operation, many businesses maintain internal machine shops or tool rooms that support their specialized needs. Much modern-day machining uses <a href="/facts/Numerical_control/B2c7UbaX">computer numerical control</a> (CNC), in which computers control the movement and operation of <a href="/facts/Milling_(machining)/PVXTgNyz">mills</a>, <a href="/facts/Lathe/FjF9FYLR">lathes</a>, and other cutting machines.

Machining open-in-new

Machining