Manufacturing Engineering Glossary

The intentional minimum difference between the dimensions of mating parts, determining the type of fit (clearance, transition, or interference).

A heat treatment process that heats metal to a specific temperature and then slowly cools it to relieve internal stresses, increase ductility, and refine grain structure.

A comprehensive list of all raw materials, components, sub-assemblies, and quantities required to manufacture a finished product.

A manufacturing process in which liquid material is poured into a mold and allowed to solidify into the desired shape. Includes sand casting, die casting, and investment casting.

The automated control of machining tools via pre-programmed computer instructions, enabling precise and repeatable manufacturing operations.

The total time required to complete one cycle of a manufacturing operation, from start to finish, including processing, loading, and unloading.

A process that forces material through a shaped die to produce objects with a fixed cross-sectional profile, used for metals, plastics, and ceramics.

A work-holding device that secures and positions a workpiece during a machining or assembly operation, ensuring accuracy and repeatability.

A forming process that shapes metal using compressive forces, typically applied by a hammer or press. Produces parts with superior strength due to the alignment of the metal's grain structure.

The most widely used programming language for CNC machines, consisting of instructions that control tool movement, speed, feed rate, and auxiliary functions.

A device that both holds a workpiece and guides a cutting tool, distinguishing it from a fixture which only holds the workpiece.

A Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement through small, incremental changes involving all employees, from the factory floor to top management.

The total time from when a customer places an order to when the finished product is delivered, including processing, queuing, and transportation time.

A subtractive manufacturing process that removes material from a workpiece using cutting tools. Includes turning, milling, drilling, and grinding operations.

A production planning and inventory control system that uses bill of materials, inventory data, and master production schedules to calculate material needs and timing.

The science of measurement as applied to manufacturing, encompassing dimensional inspection, calibration of instruments, and verification of part conformance to specifications.

A machining operation that uses rotating multi-point cutting tools to remove material from a workpiece, capable of producing flat surfaces, slots, gears, and complex 3D contours.

A metric calculated as Availability x Performance x Quality that measures how effectively manufacturing equipment is utilized.

A Japanese term meaning 'mistake-proofing.' Devices or methods built into a process to prevent human errors from resulting in defects.

Rapidly cooling a heated metal (typically in water, oil, or air) to increase hardness by trapping carbon atoms in the crystal lattice, forming martensite.

The texture and smoothness of a manufactured surface, measured in terms of roughness (Ra), waviness, and lay. Affected by machining parameters, tool geometry, and material properties.

A heat treatment process applied after quenching that reheats hardened steel to a temperature below its critical point to reduce brittleness while retaining hardness.

A process that heats a plastic sheet to a pliable temperature, forms it to a specific shape using a mold, and trims it to create a finished part.

The rate at which a manufacturing system produces finished goods, typically measured in units per time period. A key indicator of production efficiency.

Materials and components that have entered the manufacturing process but are not yet finished products. Excessive WIP indicates inefficiency and ties up capital.