Common Metal Machining Terms to Know

March 31, 2021 10:40 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Are you in need of some metal machining or fabrication work? It might be difficult to know exactly what it is you need or are looking at, especially if you aren’t familiar with some of the common industry jargon.

With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common metal machining terms that are important for you to know when working with a metal machine shop in Umatilla County, OR. Here’s a quick list—feel free to reach out if there are other additions you’d make to this list, or if you have questions about other terms you come across in your research about machining!

  • Abrasive wheels: These are wheels used for grinding down sharp metal to create smoother surfaces and remove excess material. They’re typically made out of very hard materials, such as carborundum.
  • Annealing: This is a process that features controlled heating and cooling of metal to remove built up stresses.
  • Anodizing: There is a thin protective oxide layer that gets produced during electrolytic processes, which results in the metal forming the anode.
  • Bearings: Bearings are a type of roller or ball placed in between moving parts to reduce the friction and wear that can occur as a result of materials rubbing against each other.
  • Carborundum: We previously noted this material as one commonly used for grinding, thanks to its hardness. It is a compound made out of silicon and carbon.
  • CNC: CNC stands for “computer numerical control,” and is a system in which a computer converts the design produced by CAD (computer aided design) software into numbers. This allows for an extremely precise design and cutting system that is highly useful for small or particularly intricate and detailed parts.
  • Deburring: This is the process of removing sharp edges and jagged pieces of metal from a part or substrate.
  • Kerf: This is the width of a cut made by a saw. It’s important to take the kerf into account when measuring and cutting material.
  • Metal plating: This process involves depositing metals onto the substrates, and is used for coating and protecting metals and various other materials.
  • Quench: Quenching is rapidly cooling heated metal in water, air or oil brine as part of the process of heat treating. It is a necessary part of strengthening metal to allow it to hold up for longer periods of use.
  • Sandblasting: This process involves blowing sand or other abrasive media with compressed air at high speeds and with great force against a part or substrate, with the goal of removing old finish or cleaning and smoothing it up before finishing it off fully.
  • Spindle: This type of rotating device is frequently used in machine tools like mills, lathes and drill presses.
  • Surface grinding: This is the process of grinding flat surfaces on a surface grinding machine.
  • Tensile strength: This is the metal’s property to resist force from pulling it apart.

These are just a few examples of some of the most important machining terms to be aware of when looking into metal machining in Umatilla County, OR. Let us know if you have any more questions!

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