Machining is a prototyping and manufacturing process by removing unwanted materials from a larger piece of material and creating the desired shape. This process is also known as subtractive manufacturing because a part is produced by increasing the material from a whole material.

Machining in modern product development is mostly done using CNC machine. In essence, the CNC machine uses the software program for CAD design models and converts the designs into 3D machined parts.

CNC machine types include simple mills with linear and rotary motion, lathes, and more complex multi-axis machines that can operate multidimensionally to produce high-accuracy parts that can be used for form, fit, and functional testing.

The CNC process involves sending a complex program machined using a 3D machining program to the CNC machine to create the required cutter paths, which then runs an automated process to perform the necessary ‘machining’ procedures. The CNC machine can be programmed to repeat the process so that multiple parts can be reproduced to the same specifications.

The result is absolute accuracy, consistency and quality, even with the most complex concept models or parts. CNC can create parts on different surface types from solid material with a tolerance of .001”. One of the most important advantages of machining is the use of a wide variety of materials with real and correct density. It can also be coated on the parts. Production in machining is not fully automated. The part must be rotated manually.