Metal Cutting and Forming

Book excerpt: Metal cutting is the process of removing unwanted material in the form of chips from a block of metal using cutting tools. Metal cutting is performed on lathe machine, milling machine, drilling machine, shaper, planer and slotter. Grinding is the commonly used finishing process. Metal forming includes a large number of manufacturing processes in which plastic deformation property is used to change the shape and size of metal workpieces. During the process, for deformation purpose, a tool is used which is called as die. It applies stresses to the material to exceed the yield strength of the metal. Due to this the metal deforms into the shape of the die. Generally, the stresses applied to deform the metal plastically are compressive. Sheet metal working is generally associated with press machines and press working. Press working is a chipless manufacturing process by which various components are produced form sheet metal.