wasting
shaping stock material by machining it using processes
milling
rotary cutters remove material by advancing a cutter into a workpiece. this may be done by varying directions on one or several axes, cutter head speed and pressure. it can be done manually or CNC
turning
lathe is used to rotate the metal while a cutting tool moves in a linear motion to remove metal along the diameter, creating a cylindrical shape. can be done manually or CNC
flame cutting
typically used on thick metals. heating metal along the desired cut line using a flame fuelled by gas. metal is heated to a point where it is almost melted. the oxygen is then used to blow the molten metal away causing the metal to split in two
plasma cutting
melting process where a jet of ionised gas at temperatures above 20,000C is used to melt and expel material from the cut. during the process, an electric arc is struck between an electrode and the workpiece. the electrode is recessed in a water cooled gas nozzle which constricts the arc causing a narrow high temperature, high velocity plasma jet to form
laser cutting
process of using a laser to heat, melt or vaporise material, creating a cut or engraved pattern. the process is commonly used for both forming and finishing depending on the desired outcome
punching / stamping
CCM stamps out sections of sheet material using hardened punches following a CNC program. the process uses a shearing action on a sheet of metal placed between an upper tool (punch) and lower tool (die). punch pushes through the sheet material. the pieces are controlled via a chute for further work or recycling if punched part is desired sheet