Automation Glossary: Material Removal
What Is Material Removal?
Material removal is process of removing excess material from a workpiece to create a desired shape, size, or surface finish. This operation is commonly used in manufacturing industries and includes various techniques such as, cutting, grinding, drilling, milling, and turning. The purpose of material removal is to achieve high levels of precision and accuracy in the production of parts or components. By removing unnecessary material, manufacturers can refine a raw or unfinished workpiece into a final product that meets exact specifications, ensuring functionality, durability, and quality in various applications ranging from machinery to consumer goods.
What Is Material Removal Used For?
- Automotive Industry: Material removal is used to produce key components for vehicles, such as engine blocks, cylinder heads, transmission systems, and body panels. This process ensures precision, durability, and performance for automotive parts.
- Aerospace Industry: The aerospace sector uses material removal techniques to manufacture high-performance components such as turbine blades, engine casings, and structural frames. These parts require high precision and adherence to strict weight and quality standards.
- General Manufacturing: Material removal is used to produce many products, from simple fasteners to intricate machinery parts. This enables high-quality finishes and precise dimensional control for a wide array of industrial applications.

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Further Reading
With force & compliance control you are able to set a path and program the robot to be compliant to a particular force in a determined axis. See why that is beneficial.
October 17, 2022