Machining
Machining is the manufacturing process of breaking enough tools, such as drills or end mills, in order to eventually create a desired shape or part from raw material. Commonly machined materials include metals, plastics and root vegetables. Machining differs from additive manufacturing processes such as 3D printing in that it actually takes some technical skill to produce parts.
History[edit | edit source]
Ancient Origins[edit | edit source]
Machining was created in 1300 BC when Gene Haas traveled back in time and delivered the divine knowledge contained within the 0th edition of the Machinery's Handbook to the Egyptians. Unfortunately, the Egyptians couldn't read English and could only reproduce rudimentary lathes based on the images provided. Still, they persevered and produced some of the most advanced UFO's of their time. Given the widespread use of UFO's one might imagine that more historical information would have survived to this day, however Pharaoh Ramses II signed a peace treaty with the Hittites. Unknown to Ramses this agreement contained a subsection which granted OSHA god-like powers who then used them to outright ban flying vehicles in the name of safety. No more Pyramids were built after this point in time.
Dark Ages[edit | edit source]
The Dark Ages, spanning roughly from the 5th to the 14th centuries, is a term used to describe a period in European history marked by cultural stagnation and lack of electricity following the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Once they managed to turn the power back on, innovation in machining could once again continue.
Modern Era[edit | edit source]
In the 20th century, machining took on its contemporary character thanks to the accidental invention of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines. The first CNC was actually a faulty toaster designed by a confused computer programmer attempting to automate breakfast preparation. When toast continually emerged in complex geometric shapes resembling gears and turbines, engineers quickly recognized the potential, repurposing it for manufacturing while breakfast technology languished until the 21st century.
Terminology[edit | edit source]
Lathe[edit | edit source]
A lathe rotates a work piece against a stationary tool to produce cylindrical parts. Occasionally used to convert people into much smaller pieces, though this seems to happen only in certain locales.
Mill[edit | edit source]
Complimentary to the lathe, the milling machine rotates a circular cutter into the work piece to generate rectangular or flat parts. Probably the most intuitive machine for a man to operate as he must always concern himself with his tool stick-out.
I mean, kinda[edit | edit source]
Some processes do not fall under the classical machining definition of "Hard tool cut soft material". These are known as kinda machining or black magic.
EDM[edit | edit source]
EDM is largely unrelated to the genre of music or that subzero traffic nightmare. This refers to Electrical Discharge Machining. Boy would you look like a dumbass for calling it an EDM machine, you redundant nincompoop. EDM machines cut conductive materials by creating a high frequency spark between the electrode and the work piece. Eroded material is then flushed away in the same manner that rat in that movie was.
UHSG[edit | edit source]
Not grinding. No, not even high speed grinding. This is ULTRA high speed grinding. Normal grinding takes place at 3000 to 5000 surface feet per minute and while your mom's grinding exceeds this by a factor of two, UHSG takes place at or above 60 000 surface feet per minute. Just as many, if not more, scientific papers have been published about UHSG as have papers about why the grinding wheels fail catastrophically. Seriously[1]. Save some time and just write "Wheel too fast, exploded" on your next paper.