In the field of manufacturing what does machining stands for?

The process of removal of material from a block to convert it into desired shape is called machining.  Machining is also known as a subtractive manufacturing process because it requires removal of material in form of chips. The materials that are machined are usually metals but it can also be done to materials like wood, plastic, ceramic and composites. The person that does machining have to receive specialization in machining field and is known as machinist and the company where machining is done is called a machine shop. The opposite of machining process is 3D printing in which layer by layer manufacturing is carried out that is known as additive manufacturing.

Machining process is categorized as Traditional Machining and Advanced Machining. Traditional Machining  includes the process of turning, boring, drilling, reaming, threading, milling, shaping, planing, and broaching, as well as abrasive processes such as grinding, ultrasonic machining, lapping, and honing. These machining processes are carried out by machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, drill presses. In these machine tools the material is removed via a sharp cutting tool to obtain the required shape. Advanced machining processes include electrical and chemical means of material removal, as well as the use of abrasive jets, water jets, laser beams, and electron beams. These processes include electrical discharge machining, electrochemical machining, electron beam machining, photochemical machining and ultrasonic machining.

The advantage of machining processes is the achievement of closer dimensional tolerances and good surface finish characteristics. Other manufacturing processes last such an ability like casting, forming, powder metallurgy etc. By machining parts of complex geometry can be developed where other manufacturing processes cannot do so or it is too much expensive for those processes. The disadvantage of machining is the wastage of material in the form of chips, production rates are low and a specialized worker is required for machining and has to be carried out properly.