| Machining refers to the industrial process of cutting | | | | metals with tight tolerance within .0005'. Besides this, |
| and fabricating metals and other materials into | | | | chemical etching machining is capable of producing |
| predetermined shapes and sizes. Machining process is | | | | small holes and bars that are not possible with other |
| controlled with the help of computer numeric control | | | | machining techniques. Another common process is |
| (CNC) software that guides the cutting equipment | | | | Wire Electrical-Discharge Machining (EDM) in which the |
| along the lines and arcs of a computer aided design | | | | metal is separated from a conductive work piece by |
| (CAD) drawing. | | | | means of electrical erosion. During this process, the |
| A machining process may involve the use of different | | | | wire never touches the conductive work piece and |
| techniques depending on the number of parts being | | | | leaves a path on the work piece, which is slightly |
| manufactured and the type of material. Machining | | | | larger than the wire. |
| techniques may include manual machining, which is | | | | Another technique known as the metal stamping |
| used for cutting metal sheets in simple shapes such | | | | machining phenomenon, which is also referred to as |
| as circular, square, and rectangular. This process is | | | | progressive die stamping or long run metal stamping, |
| however being replaced by automatic machining | | | | is extensively used in production of precision parts |
| systems and processes that can cut any type of | | | | with thickness from .002' to .135'. The technique is |
| shape out of metal sheets needed for different | | | | mainly used for processing typical low price parts that |
| purposes. | | | | are formed into three dimensions. |
| Chemical etching machining technique is mainly used | | | | Apart from these, some modern techniques are also |
| for producing typical precision parts. The machining | | | | in use such as abrasive water jet and laser machining |
| system offers a great flexibility for producing | | | | that are more accurate and environment friendly as |
| precision parts with unusual configuration as well as | | | | compared to conventional machining techniques. |