Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
machining
References
Britannica AI Icon

machining

technology
Written by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  Encyclopædia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last updated

Quick Summary

Machining is a technology that uses stationary, power-driven machines to shape or form materials, primarily metal. This is achieved by removing excess material as chips, shearing, squeezing, or using electrical, ultrasonic, or chemical processes.1

Key machine tools include lathes for turning, milling machines for cutting, and grinding machines for precise finishing. These machines can achieve extremely high tolerances, often within millionths of an inch.123

The development of machine tools was crucial for the Industrial Revolution, enabling mass production and interchangeable parts. Modern advancements include automated machining centers that can perform multiple operations without repositioning the workpiece. Nonconventional methods like laser machining and chemical machining are used for materials too hard or brittle for traditional techniques.4567

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
8 Britannica Sources
  1. machine tool
  2. machine tool - History
  3. machine tool - Chemical machining (CHM)
  4. machine tool - Grinding machines
  5. machine tool - Photochemical machining (PCM)
  6. machine tool - Turning machines
  7. machine tool - Machining centres
  8. machine tool - Laser machining (LM)

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.