Subtractive Manufacturing Techniques
Subtractive Manufacturing Techniques
Material is cut away to create a product or component
Cutting
Cutting involves the removal of material in order to create a product. This can involve saws, scissors, blades, or CNC machines.
Machining
Is a process whereby a cutting tool moves across and around the surface of a material. The machines can be CNC controlled or operated by a user.
Turning
Turning rotates a material along a horizontal axis while a cutting tool is moved along the surface to remove material.
It commonly used to create cylindrical forms, and open round forms (like wooden bowls)
Milling
Milling involves the movement of a rotating bit over the surface of a material, moving on a vertical axis. The material is fixed to a work surface, and the rotating bit is moved up and down and around the material.
Drilling
Drilling involves a spinning bit moving up and down the z-axis to create a hole in material.
Abrading
Abrading is the process of using an abrasive to grind or rub away material.
Abrasives are compounds that are used to grind, sand or polish a material. They can be used to remove material for shaping or to create a smooth surface. Abrasive can be attached to a hard surface or suspended in a liquid. Abrasives need to be harder than the material they are being used on in order for them to be effective.
Abrasive grades
The coarseness of an abrasive will affect how much material it removes as well as the smoothness of the surface. A coarse abrasive will remove material quickly and leave a rough surface. A fine abrasive will remove material very slowly and leave a smooth surface.
The process of smoothing typically begins with coarse abrasives and moves toward finer abrasives.
The coarseness of abrasives is sometimes referred to as grit or grade. The higher the grit, the finer the abrasive.
Sandpaper with different grits (left to right): 40 grit, 80 grit, 150 grit, 240 grit, 600 grit
Grinder
Sander
Polishing
Grinders use an abrasive compound embedded in a spinning disc. The material is held against the spinning disc and ground away.
This process is used for shaping a form and removing marks from manufacturing.
Sanders use abrasives attached to a moving surface. The material is held against the surface and ground away.
This process is used for shaping a form and removing marks from manufacturing.
Polishing involves the use of compounds to achieve a very smooth surface with particular aesthetic qualities (shiny, reflective, etc.)
