Glossary of Terms

Here is a comprehensive and useful list of terms commonly used within the Fab Lab, along with their appropriate definitions.

  • Ablation - A laser process where one layer of material is removed to expose a second, dissimilar material. For example, marking on anodized aluminum or etching circuit boards.

  • Alloy - Base metal with other metal or non-metal constituents melted together into a new molecular structure.

  • ASTM - American Standard of Testing and Materials. A non-profit organization that provides a forum for producers, users, ultimate consumers, and those having a general interest (representatives of government and academia) to meet on common ground and write standards for materials, products, systems, and services.

  • Carbon Steel - A steel that owes its specific properties chiefly to the presence of carbon, without substantial amounts of other alloying elements. It is also referred to as ordinary steel, straight carbon steel, or plain carbon steel.

  • Chamfer - A beveled surface to eliminate an otherwise sharp corner that is typically about a 45° angle. A relieved angular cutting edge at a tooth corner.

  • CNC - Computer Numeric Control: A device that is controlled by a computer

  • Deposition - Using a laser to melt a coating to the surface of a target material, leaving a raised contrasting mark. Application of Cermark LMM material is an example of this process.

  • End Mill - Type of milling cutter, a cutting tool used in industrial milling applications. It is distinguished from the drill bit, in its application, geometry, and manufacture. While a drill bit can only cut in the axial direction, a milling bit can generally cut in all directions, though some cannot cut axially. Endmills are used in milling applications such as profile milling, tracer milling, face milling, and plunging.

  • Engraving / Etching - A laser process where the laser is used to remove material from a homogenous target, leaving a trench or hole. For example, laser marking on integrated circuits is usually a very shallow engraving.

  • Fillet - A rounded corner, inside or outside, of a part.

  • G Code - A code used to signal an action from a group of commands. G codes change direction of cutting tools.

  • Hardened - A material such as steel that has been heat treated.

  • Heat Treating - A process of heating and cooling metal at different temperatures and rates to change the hardness of a material by changing its crystal structure.

  • Kerf - Space or gap created after cutting through a material.

  • LASER - Acronym for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation”.

  • Laser Beam - A laser beam is a coherent beam of photons, all of the same wavelength and traveling along a tightly controlled axis.

  • M Code - A code used to signal an action from a miscellaneous group of commands. M codes change cutting tools, turn on or turn off the coolant, spindle, or work piece clamps, etc.

  • Tooling - Devices used to cut, hold, or secure materials being manufactured.