The precision machining industry is responsible for the production of numerous items that are used on a daily basis – from the tiniest or seemingly insignificant to the largest of them. Each of the intricately detailed or precision-machined pieces that comprise these objects is a result of the skills and expertise of a qualified machinist.

What is required?

In order to perform successful precision machining, a machinist is required to read, understand and follow highly specified blueprints that have been generated via Computer Aided Design (CAD) and be able to use Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software programs to manufacture the parts.

Materials Used in Precision Machining

There is virtually no limit to the types of materials that are used when it comes to precision machining. Some of the more popular material choices include brass, bronze, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, inconel, titanium and an array of plastics.

Machines Used in Precision Machining

There are a variety of machines used in precision machining. The machine used in the production of a component is determined by the volume of parts required; the complexity of the part; the material to be used; and the tolerance specifications of the component. Machines used in the industry include horizontal and vertical lathes, milling machines, drill presses, grinders and saws. Lathes are divided into cam-driven machines or computer numerical control (CNC) machines and are either single-spindle or multi-spindle.