Resources / Glossary
Manufacturing Glossary
Plain-language definitions for the terms used in quotes, DFM reports and drawings.
A
- Additive Manufacturing
- Building parts layer by layer directly from CAD data, including SLA, SLS, MJF, FDM and metal 3D printing.
- Anodizing
- An electrochemical finish for aluminium that adds corrosion resistance and dyeable color; Type II is decorative, Type III is thick, hard and wear-resistant.
- AQL
- Acceptable Quality Limit — the defect rate a sampled inspection batch is allowed to contain.
B
- Bead Blasting
- Propelling fine media at a part to produce a uniform matte texture and hide tooling marks.
- Bridge Production
- Low-volume manufacturing that bridges the gap between prototypes and full production tooling.
- Bur
- A raised edge or sliver of material left on a machined, cut or formed part; removed by deburring.
C
- CAM
- Computer-Aided Manufacturing — software that converts CAD models into machine toolpaths.
- Chamfer
- An angled edge cut at typically 45 degrees to remove sharp corners and ease assembly.
- CNC Machining
- Subtractive manufacturing with computer-controlled mills and lathes, producing precise parts from metals and plastics.
- CoC
- Certificate of Conformance — a document declaring shipped parts meet specified requirements.
D
- DFM
- Design for Manufacturability — reviewing a design to make it easier, faster and cheaper to make.
- Draft Angle
- A slight taper on vertical walls of a molded part so it releases from the tool cleanly.
E
- EDM
- Electrical Discharge Machining — shaping hard metal with electrical sparks, often for deep ribs in molds.
- Electroless Nickel Plating
- A chemical nickel coating that gives uniform corrosion and wear protection, even on complex geometry.
F
- FAI
- First Article Inspection — a full dimensional and documentation verification of the first parts off a process.
- FDM
- Fused Deposition Modeling — extrudes thermoplastic layer by layer for fast, economical prototypes.
G
- Gate
- The channel where molten plastic enters a mold cavity; its size and location shape part quality.
H
- HDT
- Heat Deflection Temperature — the temperature at which a plastic deforms under a defined load.
I
- Insert Molding
- Molding plastic around a pre-placed component such as a metal nut or pin.
- ISO 9001:2015
- The international standard for quality management systems.
J
- Jig
- A custom guiding fixture that holds and locates a workpiece during machining or assembly.
K
- Kerf
- The width of material removed by a cutting beam or blade, critical for laser and waterjet nesting.
L
- LSR
- Liquid Silicone Rubber — a heat- and chemical-resistant elastomer molded for seals, gaskets and medical parts.
- Live Tooling
- Powered rotary tools on a lathe that let milling happen in the same setup as turning.
M
- MJF
- Multi Jet Fusion — a powder-bed additive process producing strong, detailed nylon parts.
- MOQ
- Minimum Order Quantity — the smallest order a supplier accepts. BoValley MOQ is 1 piece.
O
- Overmolding
- Molding one material over another to combine rigid structure with soft-touch or sealing surfaces.
P
- Passivation
- A chemical treatment that strengthens the natural corrosion resistance of stainless steel.
- Powder Coating
- A dry-powder paint cured by heat into a durable, even coating for metal parts.
- PPAP
- Production Part Approval Process — the automotive-industry evidence package proving a process can meet requirements at rate.
- Prototype
- An early physical model of a part used to test form, fit and function before production.
R
- Rapid Prototyping
- Fast fabrication of physical parts directly from CAD, typically in days.
- REACH / RoHS
- European regulations restricting hazardous substances in products and their manufacture.
S
- Sheet Metal Fabrication
- Cutting, forming and joining thin metal stock into brackets, enclosures and assemblies.
- SLS
- Selective Laser Sintering — a laser fuses nylon powder into tough, functional parts without supports.
- SPI Finish
- The Society of the Plastics Industry grading system for molded-part surface textures, from glossy (A) to matte (D).
T
- Tolerance
- The allowed dimensional variation on a feature; tighter tolerances cost more.
- Tooling
- The molds, dies and fixtures used to produce parts; also shorthand for the parts those tools make.
U
- Undercut
- A geometry that prevents straight ejection from a mold and requires slides, lifters or redesign.
V
- Vibratory Finishing
- Tumbling parts with abrasive media to soften edges and smooth 3D-printed surfaces.
W
- Warpage
- Unwanted distortion of a part as it cools or relieves internal stress.
- Waterjet Cutting
- Cold cutting with a high-pressure abrasive stream, suitable for thick or heat-sensitive plate.
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