Machining Information and Types

What is Machining? According to American Machinist, machining is a form of subtractive manufacturing, where a collection of material-working processes utilizing power-driven machine tools, such as saws, lathes, milling machines, and drill presses, are used with a sharp cutting tool to physically remove material to achieve a desired geometry.

When it comes to CNC machining, there are several types of materials that VIP can machine. We have the capabilities to machine plates or bar stock in round, rectangular, square, and hexagon shapes. Plates of all thicknesses can be machined including sheets, coils, billet, forgings, castings, and molded parts just to name a few. Sizes can range from .003” shimstock to whatever our machines can handle based on the material. Our limit to machining would be around 12” plate tops, 14” round, and ingots up to 2000 pounds.

Here is a list of common raw stock material used for machining: