What Are the Main Machining Processes?

The world of mechanical machining is fundamental because it allows you to modify raw materials through extremely precise procedures. What are we talking about when we mention the concept of mechanical machining? The definition is simple: it is a process based on maximum possible precision and managed by specific tools. The goal is to modify the shape, size, and finish of a solid material. Which can be metal, the main protagonist of these activities, but not only.

Some operations also include plastic and wood. Precision mechanical machining aims to obtain the required result through the removal of part of the mass thanks to the use of precision equipment and tools such as mills, thread dies, saws, and bits. To get a precise idea, you can take a look at the Krino catalog where you find various cutting tools.

One of the fundamental characteristics of the different types of mechanical machining is precision: activities are carried out with tools capable of constantly monitoring error margins and tolerances, while the material used to build the bits that modify the block are made of tungsten carbide or HSS with cobalt percentages: solutions that don't fear wear. Much less high temperatures. What are the main types of mechanical machining? Here is a basic collection.

Operations with Chip Removal

To organize the different types of precision mechanical machining, we can divide the list into three macro-areas. The first, perhaps the most known and widespread in the workshop, is the one that includes the various chip removal activities. So, the excess material necessary to achieve the final result. What are the main activities to group in this dedicated list?

Drilling

The classic industrial machining that involves a fixed element to be worked and the use of bits for a manual or bench drill. The movement of the bit allows you to make holes in metals but also in wood and building materials or in plastic.

Threading

A premium mechanical machining operation that allows the operator to create helical grooves so as to create profiles useful for screwing in pins, screws, and bolts. Threading can occur through manual tools or machines: they are the taps and dies that are used to create, respectively, internal or external threads. If you want to deepen the topic, here's how to create threading.

Boring (Reaming)

Machining linked to drilling: through this technique of boring a hole, it is possible to correct or improve a hole already made at an earlier time, increasing its precision and improving its surface roughness.

Turning

The piece rotates and advances while the tool remains stationary: this type of activity is performed with a lathe, a tool for material machining that allows you to obtain cylindrical, helical, conical, or with specific profiles. Both internal and external. To deepen the topic, you can read the article that explains the difference between turning and industrial milling.

Machining by Plastic Deformation

The metal machining process that allows you to shape and modify metal without chip removal but by changing the shape. This happens through the action of a force that exceeds the elasticity of the material without reaching the breaking point. What are the main machining by plastic deformation? Here is a reference list that can help you make a decision.

Rolling

The object is determined by passing the raw material between two rollers that reduce the thickness until it reaches the form of sheets, strips, and profiles. But bars can also take shape thanks to this type of mechanical machining.

Extrusion

The material you want to use to realize your mechanical work is pushed through a die to obtain a continuous profile with constant cross-section. If we're talking about the mechanical machining of metals, this operation is performed hot. Drawing is similar but is done by pulling the material through a die to create metal wires, tubes, thin profiles.

Stamping

The material you want to modify is squeezed by two dies to obtain the desired shape. It can be an operation to be performed hot or cold: in the first case we have greater capacity for modification, in the second we find more precision.

Machining by Abrasion

A type of operation that can be confused with machining with chip removal. But it is a different process in terms of tools, precision, and method of material removal. Specifically, abrasion techniques do not use tools with defined geometry but abrasive grains like grinding wheels and abrasive pastes. Some concrete examples to consider?

Grinding

Grinding is a mechanical machining method that uses a grinding wheel made of very resistant materials (like diamond) to remove a small amount of material. All this happens with high accuracy and good surface finish.

This type of precision machining (with excellent dimensional tolerance) is used to improve cylindrical and flat structures, both internal and external. One of the uses of grinding is the machining of cylinders to increase engine displacement.

Lapping

A precise abrasion that is performed with an abrasive paste based on a mixture of oil and very fine abrasive particles between two surfaces in contact. It serves to remove minimal quantities of material to achieve very tight tolerances and smooth surfaces.

Polishing

Serves to improve the aesthetic appearance and reduce the roughness of a surface. Polishing allows you to achieve a smooth and shiny result, removing a minimal amount of material. Rotating cloths or flexible discs with fine abrasive pastes are used.