Machining is a part of make of all types of metal products. Metal machining is a mix of various processes involved in using different tools like drill presses, milling machines and lathes to remove and process materials. A sharpened cutting tool is used to get the desired geometrical shape from the metal. Folk may do this as a hobby or as part of their job.
The various operations go from drilling, milling, turning, broaching, uninteresting, planing, sawing and shaping, the commonest one being drilling.
Drilling involves making or refining holes on a metal. The drill press or a tool containing revolving cutters is employed for this reason. Milling is the method where a cutting tool is used to straighten up the surface. Peripheral and face milling are done slowly to remove the cutting edges that help get the metal to the specified shape. The cutting tool utilized for turning metal contains a single cutting edge and is used to bring in a cylindrical shape to the metal.
Sawing is done with a tough blade or wire with an abrasive or serrated edge. This may be done manually, or powered by steam, water, electricity for example. It is employed for cutting hard metals. The shaping or planing machine is used to straighten and flatten surfaces.
Dull or reaming is a process utilised for enlarging or make the dimensions of the hole more accurate after the drilling process. Tapping and dieing are the processes where tools are used to make screw threads. Grinding is also an abrasive machining process that utilises grinding wheel and cutting tool. Grinding produces exceedingly fine finishes and awfully accurate dimensions.
Burnishing is the final process of the metal machining as it makes the final product glossy. This is achieved by utilizing the drill press, lathe or a milling tool.
The process of machining involves a mixture of the previously mentioned processes. The process involves a relative motion between the tool and work. This relative motion embodies the "cutting speed" and "feed". The shape of the tool and its penetration into the working surface and the assorted motions result in the perfection of the specified shape of the necessary metal. The final product would meet the directions as mentioned by the engineering drawings or plans.
Machining is generally performed in a machine shop, by a machinist. It's a difficult process to get the finalized profuct to a perfect piece that matches the specs of the dimensions as well as the smooth finish or texture. The correct amount of pressure applied and the right quality of tools that are carefully maintained. The machinist is the correct individual to be consulted if the metal machining is done as a spare time pursuit.
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