A standardized quality management system specifically for the aerospace, space, and defense industries. It incorporates all the requirements of ISO 9001 and adds more stringent criteria for quality, traceability, and risk management to meet the rigorous safety and reliability demands of the aerospace sector.
Annealing is a heat treatment process where a metal is heated to a specific temperature and then slowly cooled. It's used to soften a material, relieve internal stresses, and improve its ductility, which can make it easier to machine or form.
Anodizing is an electrochemical surface treatment, most commonly used for aluminum, that creates a durable and corrosion-resistant oxide layer. Anodizing increases wear resistance and provides a porous surface ideal for adding color (dyes), making it both a protective and cosmetic finishing process.
A raw material format used in machining, particularly for CNC turning. It is a long, continuous bar of metal, typically with a round, hexagonal, or square cross-section, which is fed into a lathe or Swiss machine to produce parts.
A comprehensive, itemized list of all the raw materials, components, and sub-assemblies required to build a final product. The BOM is a foundational document for manufacturing, used by purchasing departments to procure necessary items and by production to guide the assembly process.
Broaching is a machining process that uses a long, multi-toothed tool called a broach to cut a specific shape. The broach is pushed or pulled through a workpiece, with each tooth removing slightly more material than the one before it. It's an extremely fast and repeatable method for creating internal features like keyways and splines.
A digital 3-dimensional (3D) or 2-dimensional (2D) file of a part created with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software. The 3D model precisely defines a part's geometry and is used to generate the toolpaths for CNC machining and as the master reference for inspection equipment like CMMs.
CAD (Computer-Aided Design) is the use of software to create precise 2D and 3D digital models of a part. CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software then uses these models to generate the optimal toolpaths and G-code needed to guide the CNC machine. Together, CAD/CAM is the integrated system that translates a digital design into a set of instructions for physical manufacturing.
Standing for Computer Numerical Control, CNC Machining is a category of subtractive manufacturing processes guided by pre-programmed software. Automated controls direct the movement and operation of cutting tools to precisely shape a workpiece by removing material. This method ensures exceptional accuracy, consistency, and repeatability compared to manual machining and includes processes like milling, turning, and grinding.
A CNC machining process where a rotating multi-point cutting tool is used to remove material from a stationary workpiece. The machine tool is directed along multiple axes to create a wide variety of features, including slots, pockets, holes, and complex surface contours. CNC milling is highly versatile and is performed on a machine tool called a CNC mill or machining center.
A CNC machining process that creates cylindrical parts by rotating a workpiece (typically bar stock) at high speed while a cutting tool is moved against it. The tool removes material from the part's diameter, creating precise cylindrical, conical, and threaded features. It is the ideal process for components with rotational symmetry, such as shafts, pins, and fittings, and is performed on a CNC lathe or turning center.
A set of heat treatment processes that harden the outer surface (the case) of a metal part while leaving the inner core relatively soft and tough. This creates a final component with a highly wear-resistant exterior and a ductile interior that can absorb shock and impact without fracturing.
A geometric tolerance that specifies how closely the central axis of one cylindrical feature must align with the central axis of another. It is critical for high-speed or precision rotating assemblies, ensuring that components like shafts and bearings operate smoothly without imbalance or vibration.
A highly precise piece of inspection equipment that measures the geometry of a physical part. A probe touches the part at multiple points to gather coordinate data, which is then compared against the original CAD model or drawing to verify complex dimensions and geometric tolerances with extreme accuracy.
The total time required to manufacture a single part, measured from the start of the first operation to the completion of the last. Cycle time is a key factor in determining production capacity and manufacturing cost; shorter cycle times typically lead to lower piece prices and faster delivery on production runs.
A non-traditional machining process that uses controlled electrical sparks from an electrode to remove material from a workpiece. Because it involves no direct contact or cutting force, EDM is ideal for creating intricate features or machining extremely hard, conductive materials that are difficult to cut with traditional tools.
The official technical document that communicates all the information required to manufacture and inspect a part. Also known as a print, it contains dimensions, tolerances, material specifications, surface finish requirements, and GD&T callouts. While a CAD model shows the shape, the drawing provides the authoritative specifications.
A formal quality control process where one of the first parts from a new production run is thoroughly measured and verified against every specification on the engineering drawing or CAD model. The results are documented in a First Article Inspection Report (FAIR) to provide objective evidence that the manufacturing process is capable of producing compliant parts.
The use of custom-designed clamps, plates, and devices to securely hold a workpiece in a precise location and orientation during a machining operation. Proper fixturing is fundamental to ensuring accuracy and repeatability across a production run, especially for parts with complex geometries.
The primary programming languages that control a CNC machine. G-code (Geometric Code) directs the machine's physical movements, such as position, speed, and path (e.g., straight line or arc). M-code (Miscellaneous Code) controls all other machine functions, such as turning the spindle and coolant on or off and executing tool changes.
A standardized symbolic language used on engineering drawings and models to define and control the allowable variation of a part's features. Unlike simple dimensional tolerances, GD&T controls the functional relationships between features—such as their form, orientation, and location—to ensure parts not only measure correctly but also fit and function properly in an assembly.
A precision finishing process that uses a rotating abrasive wheel to remove very small amounts of material from a workpiece. Grinding is typically used after a primary machining operation to achieve exceptionally tight tolerances and produce very fine surface finishes that are not possible through milling or turning alone.
An umbrella term for a variety of controlled heating and cooling processes used to intentionally alter the physical and mechanical properties of a metal. Heat treatment is not used to change a part's shape, but to adjust its hardness, strength, toughness, and ductility to meet specific performance requirements.
The international standard for a Quality Management System (QMS). ISO 9001 provides a framework for ensuring an organization has documented, repeatable processes to meet customer and regulatory requirements. Certification indicates a supplier's commitment to quality control, risk management, and continuous improvement.
The total time that elapses between placing a purchase order with a supplier and receiving the finished goods. Lead time includes all necessary steps, such as raw material procurement, production scheduling, machining, post-processing, inspection, and shipping.
Refers to powered, rotating cutting tools (such as drills and end mills) on a CNC turning center. This capability allows the machine to perform secondary milling, drilling, and tapping operations on a part in the same setup as the primary turning operations, reducing cycle time and increasing the accuracy of complex parts.
The modern industry term for a highly versatile CNC milling machine equipped with an automatic tool changer. This allows the machine to automatically swap between a wide variety of cutting tools, enabling it to perform multiple different operations—such as milling, drilling, and tapping—without manual intervention.
A category of CNC machines that utilizes four or more axes of movement, allowing the cutting tool to approach a workpiece from many different angles. This enables the efficient production of highly complex geometries and contoured surfaces in a single setup, which improves accuracy and reduces the need for multiple fixtures
A non-contact inspection device that projects a magnified silhouette of a part onto a screen. This allows an inspector to easily measure dimensions and verify complex profiles against a drawing overlay. It is particularly useful for checking features that are too small or difficult to access with traditional contact-based measuring tools.
A chemical surface treatment, most commonly used for stainless steel, that removes free iron and other contaminants from a part's surface. This process enhances the material's natural corrosion resistance by creating a passive, non-reactive oxide layer.
A surface finishing process where a thin layer of metal is electrochemically deposited onto the surface of a part. Plating is used for various reasons, including improving corrosion resistance (zinc, nickel), increasing wear resistance (chrome), or enhancing appearance.
A general term for any secondary operation performed on a part after the primary machining is complete. Post-processing is done to achieve a final finish, improve material properties, or clean the part for assembly. Common examples include deburring, tumbling, heat treating, anodizing, and plating.
The process of manufacturing a part in its specified quantity for end-use after the design has been finalized and approved. Unlike prototyping, a production run is optimized for efficiency and consistency at scale, often involving dedicated tooling and refined processes to reduce cost and cycle time.
An early-stage sample of a new part design, typically produced in small quantities. Prototypes are used to test a component's form, fit, and function, allowing engineers to validate a design and make necessary revisions before committing to the expense of a full production run.
A formal document that a company sends to potential suppliers to solicit a bid for a product or service. In manufacturing, an RFQ package typically includes the engineering drawing, CAD model, material specifications, required quantities, and delivery date, allowing the supplier to provide an accurate quotation for pricing and lead time.
A geometric tolerance that controls the amount of "wobble" a cylindrical feature has when rotated around a central axis. It manages the combined variations of circularity and concentricity to ensure smooth rotation in assemblies. Runout is critical for shafts, axles, and other components where dynamic balance and stability are required.
A quality control method that uses statistical analysis to monitor and control a manufacturing process in real-time. By tracking process data, SPC helps detect and correct variations before they result in non-conforming parts, shifting the focus from final inspection to proactive prevention and ensuring greater process stability.
A heat treatment process used to reduce internal stresses that may have been introduced into a part during machining or fabrication. The part is heated to a relatively low temperature and then slowly cooled, which helps improve its dimensional stability and reduces the risk of distortion over time.
Surface finish is the measure of the fine-scale texture of a part's surface. It is most commonly specified by Ra (Roughness Average), which represents the arithmetic average height of the microscopic peaks and valleys on the surface. A lower Ra value indicates a smoother finish, which is critical for sealing surfaces, bearings, and other high-performance applications.
A specialized type of CNC turning designed for manufacturing small, slender, and complex parts with extreme precision. In a Swiss-type machine, the bar stock advances through a guide bushing, providing exceptional support right at the point of the cut. This design minimizes material deflection, making it ideal for producing long, thin parts while holding very tight tolerances.
The specific operation of creating internal threads within a hole. Using a cutting tool called a tap, this process can be performed on a CNC mill or turning center to add threaded features required for assembly with screws, bolts, or other components.
A heat treatment process performed after a part has been hardened to reduce its brittleness and increase its toughness. By heating the material to a precise temperature below its hardening point, tempering achieves a desired balance between hardness and durability, preventing the part from being too brittle for its intended application.
The total permissible amount of variation for a given dimension on a part. Specified on an engineering drawing, a tolerance defines the upper and lower limits a feature's size can be while still allowing the part to fit and function as intended. Tighter tolerances require more precise machining and inspection, which typically increases cost.
An advanced CNC lathe equipped with additional capabilities that allow for more complex machining in a single setup. A turning center typically includes features like live tooling for milling and drilling operations, a sub-spindle for working on the back side of a part, and automated bar feeders, increasing both efficiency and accuracy.
A general term for any device or method used to securely hold a workpiece in a fixed position and orientation during machining. Proper workholding is critical to achieving accuracy and safety. Common examples include vises, chucks, collets, and custom-built fixturing.
