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CNC & Machining Glossary

Plain-English definitions of the terms, acronyms and technologies behind CNC machine tools — from machine types and spindle tapers to controls and cutting processes. Each term links to the machines it applies to.

Compared side-by-side

CAT vs BT vs HSK Taper
What's the difference?
VMC vs HMC
What's the difference?
Wire EDM vs Sinker EDM
What's the difference?
Box Ways vs Linear Guides
What's the difference?
3-Axis vs 5-Axis Machining
What's the difference?
Milling vs Turning
What's the difference?
Live Tooling vs Sub-Spindle
What's the difference?
Fanuc vs Mazatrol vs Siemens
What's the difference?
Positioning Accuracy vs Repeatability
What's the difference?
HSS vs Carbide
What's the difference?
Waterjet vs Laser vs Plasma
What's the difference?
Climb vs Conventional Milling
What's the difference?
End Mill vs Face Mill
What's the difference?
Machining Titanium vs Aluminum
What's the difference?
Flood Coolant vs MQL
What's the difference?

Fundamentals

CNC
Computer Numerical Control
Subtractive Manufacturing
Fundamentals

Machine Types

Boring Mill
Horizontal Boring Mill
Centerless Grinder
Machine Types
CMM
Coordinate Measuring Machine
Cylindrical Grinder
Machine Types
Double-Column Mill
Machine Types
EDM
Electrical Discharge Machining
Gantry Mill
Bridge / Gantry Mill
Grinding
Machine Types
HMC
Horizontal Machining Center
Lathe
Machine Types
Machining Center
Machine Types
Mill-Turn
Machine Types
Press Brake
Machine Types
Screw Machine
Machine Types
Sinker EDM
Ram / Die-Sink EDM
Surface Grinder
Machine Types
Swiss Lathe
Swiss-Type Lathe
Tapping Center
Drill-Tap Center
Turning Center
Machine Types
VMC
Vertical Machining Center
Wire EDM
Wire Electrical Discharge Machining

Capabilities

4th Axis
Capabilities
5-Axis Machining
Capabilities
B-Axis
Capabilities
C-Axis
Capabilities
Y-Axis
Y-Axis (Lathe)

Components

Ball Screw
Components
Box Ways
Components
BT Taper
BT Taper
CAT Taper
CAT / V-Flange Taper
DRO
Digital Readout
Encoder
Components
HSK Taper
Hohl-Schaft-Kegel (Hollow Taper)
Linear Guide
Linear Rails
Live Tooling
Components
Pull Stud
Retention Knob
Rotary Table
Components
Servo Motor
Components
Spindle
Components
Spindle Taper
Components
Sub-Spindle
Components
Tailstock
Components
Toolholder
Components
Trunnion
Components
Turret
Components
Way Covers
Components

Workholding

Chuck
Workholding
Collet
Workholding
Fixture
Workholding
Steady Rest
Workholding
Tombstone
Workholding

Automation

APC
Automatic Pallet Changer
ATC
Automatic Tool Changer
Bar Feeder
Automation
Pallet Changer
Automation
Probing
On-Machine Probing
Tool Presetter
Tool Setter

Coolant & Chips

Chip Conveyor
Coolant & Chips
Flood Coolant
Coolant & Chips
High-Pressure Coolant
HPC
MQL
Minimum Quantity Lubrication
Through-Spindle Coolant
TSC

Specs

Axis Travel
X/Y/Z Travel
Bar Capacity
Specs
Chip Load
Feed per Tooth
Depth of Cut
DOC
Distance Between Centers
Specs
Feed Rate
Specs
Hardness (HRC)
Rockwell C
MRR
Material Removal Rate
Rapid Traverse
Specs
SFM
Surface Feet per Minute
Spindle Hours
Specs
Spindle Speed
RPM
Surface Finish (Ra)
Specs
Swing
Specs
Table Size
Specs
Tolerance
Specs
Tool Capacity
Specs

Precision

Backlash
Precision
Linear Scale
Glass Scale
Positioning Accuracy
Precision
Repeatability
Precision
TIR
Total Indicator Runout

Programming

CAM
Computer-Aided Manufacturing
Canned Cycle
Programming
Conversational Programming
Programming
G-Code
Programming
M-Code
Programming
Post Processor
Programming

Controls

CNC Control
Controls
Fanuc Control
Controls
Mazatrol
Controls
Okuma OSP
Controls
Siemens Sinumerik
Controls

Processes

Boring
Processes
Broaching
Processes
Climb Milling
Processes
Conventional Milling
Processes
Drilling
Processes
Gun Drilling
Processes
Hard Turning
Processes
High-Speed Machining
HSM
Hobbing
Gear Hobbing
Honing
Processes
Indexing
Processes
Knurling
Processes
Lapping
Processes
Laser Cutting
Processes
Milling
Processes
Plasma Cutting
Processes
Reaming
Processes
Rigid Tapping
Processes
Tapping
Processes
Thread Milling
Processes
Trochoidal Milling
Processes
Turning
Processes
Waterjet Cutting
Processes

Materials

Aluminum Machining
Materials
Cast Iron
Materials
Inconel Machining
Nickel Superalloy
Stainless Steel Machining
Materials
Titanium Machining
Materials
Tool Steel Machining
Materials
Work Hardening
Materials

Cutting Tools

Carbide
Tungsten Carbide
End Mill
Cutting Tools
Face Mill
Cutting Tools
HSS
High-Speed Steel
Insert
Indexable Insert

Value & Market

Depreciation
Value & Market

Programming & Control

G-Code
Programming & Control

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Explore expanded references for CNC processes, controls, automation, metrology and workholding. Every guide includes inspection questions, buyer implications and visible primary sources.

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