Manufacturing & Engineering Glossary

A

• Additive Manufacturing (AM): The process of building parts layer-by-layer from digital models (e.g., 3D printing). Enables rapid prototyping, custom fixtures, and low-volume production.
• Advanced Manufacturing: Manufacturing enhanced by automation, robotics, AI, and digital workflows. More sensors, more data, more consistency.
• Asset Management: Tracking machines, equipment, and tooling across their lifecycle—maintenance, utilization, uptime, and performance.
• Automation: Using machines, software, robotics, or controls systems to reduce manual work, increase repeatability, and eliminate variation.

B

• Batch Production: Producing parts in groups or “batches,” common in machining, molding, and fabrication.
• Bill of Materials (BOM): A complete list of parts, materials, and components needed to build a product.
• Bandwidth: The amount of data that can be transmitted over an internet connection within a specific time period, influencing website load times and performance.
• Bin Picking: Using vision + robotics to identify, pick, and place objects from a random pile—often powered by companies like Capsen Robotics.
• Bridgeport: A manual knee mill commonly used for one-offs, prototypes, or teaching.

C

• CAD (Computer-Aided Design): Software used to design 3D models and engineering drawings (e.g., SOLIDWORKS).
• CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing): Software that generates toolpaths for CNC machining.
• Capacity Planning: Determining whether a facility has enough machines, labor, and resources to meet production demand.
• Cobot (Collaborative Robot): Robots designed to safely work alongside humans without cages.
• CNC (Computer Numerical Control): Automation of machine tools (mills, lathes, routers) using programmed commands.
• Controls Engineering: The discipline behind PLCs, sensors, motion control, and the automation logic that runs a factory.
• Cycle Time: The total time to complete one full part or unit.

D

• DFM (Design for Manufacturability): Designing parts so they’re easier, cheaper, and more reliable to produce.
• Downtime: Time when a machine is unavailable due to maintenance, failure, or scheduling.
• Digital Twin: A virtual model of a machine/process used for simulation, optimization, or remote troubleshooting.
• DNS (Domain Name System): The system that translates human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses that computers use to identify servers on the internet.

E

• ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning): Software that manages inventory, scheduling, purchasing, finance, and jobs across a facility.
• Extrusion: Manufacturing process where material is pushed through a die to create long, uniform shapes (pipes, profiles, etc.).
• End Effector: The tool attached to a robot arm (gripper, welder, suction cup, etc.).

F

• Fabrication: Cutting, bending, and assembling metal structures from raw steel plate, tube, or sheet.
• Fanuc / ABB / KUKA: Major industrial robot brands used in welding, assembly, and machine tending.
• Fixture: A custom device used to hold a part in place for machining, welding, or assembly. Often 3D-printed or machined.
• Feed Rate: The speed at which a cutting tool moves through material.

G

• G-Code: The programming language used by CNC machines.
• Gauge R&R: A statistical analysis measuring the repeatability and reliability of a measurement system.
• GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing): The symbolic language used to define tolerances and functional requirements on drawings.

H

• Hybrid Automation: Mixing manual labor with robotics or semi-automated equipment to increase throughput without fully automating.
• HMI (Human-Machine Interface): Screens operators use to run machines, view alarms, and adjust settings.

I

• IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things): Sensors + data collection systems that turn factory machines into data-generating assets.
• Ignition (Inductive Automation): A modern SCADA/IIoT platform used for OT-IT integration—often central to digital transformation efforts.
• Inspection: Measurements, checks, or tests that ensure a part meets specifications.

J

• Job Traveler: A physical or digital document that follows a part through every step of the production process.

K

• Kanban: A visual scheduling system used in lean manufacturing to trigger replenishment.

L

• Laser Cutting: Using high-powered lasers to cut precise shapes from sheet metal.
• Lean Manufacturing: A philosophy for eliminating waste and improving flow.
• Lead Time: The total time from order to delivery.
• Lights-Out Manufacturing: Running machines autonomously without human supervision—often overnight.

M

• Machine Tending: Using robots or automation to load/unload CNC machines.
• Machinability: How easily a material can be cut or machined.
• MES (Manufacturing Execution System): Software that monitors and controls shop-floor operations in real time.
• Metrology: The science of measurement—CMMs, laser scanners, probes.
• MIG/TIG Welding: Two common welding methods—MIG is faster; TIG is more precise.
• Motion Planning: Calculating a robot’s path through space to avoid collisions and optimize speed.

N

• Nesting: Software that optimizes material layouts for sheet metal cutting to reduce scrap.
• NPI (New Product Introduction): The structured process of taking a product from concept to production.

O

• OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer): Companies that design and build equipment/machines (e.g., scale manufacturers, actuator vendors).
• OT (Operational Technology): Hardware and software controlling physical machines—PLCs, SCADA, robotics.

P

• PLC (Programmable Logic Controller): The industrial computer that automates machines and processes.
• Powder Coating: A finishing process that electrically charges powder pigment and bakes it onto metal.
• PPAP (Production Part Approval Process): Validation process required in automotive to ensure suppliers meet requirements.
• Prototyping: Building early samples of products, fixtures, or tooling before full production.

Q

• Quality Assurance (QA): Activities ensuring a manufacturing process consistently delivers defect-free parts.
• Quality Control (QC): Inspection and testing of finished products.

R

• Re-Shoring: Bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. from overseas.
• Robotic Welding: Automation using robots to perform consistent welds at high speed.
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA): A structured method to find the real reason a process, machine, or part failed.

S

• SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition): Systems used to monitor and control high-level industrial processes.
• Sheet Metal Forming: Processes that shape thin sheets into final products (bending, stamping, etc.).
• Simulation: Software that predicts performance, failure, airflow, plastic flow, or machine behavior.
• SPC (Statistical Process Control): Using statistical methods to monitor process variation in real time..
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): A step-by-step document for performing a task consistently.
• Swiss Machining: High-precision machining technique used for small, complex parts.

T

• Throughput: The rate at which a facility produces finished goods.
• Tolerancing: The allowable deviation from a specified dimension..
• Tooling: Specialized tools, fixtures, dies, and equipment required for production.

U

• Uptime: The amount of time equipment is operational.
• Universal Robots (UR): A leading brand of collaborative robots used for small/medium-size manufacturers.

V

• Value Stream: All steps—value-adding and non-value-adding—required to deliver a product.
• Vision System: Cameras and software used to guide robots or inspect products.

W

• Workholding: Devices that secure a part during machining, welding, or inspection.
• Work-In-Progress (WIP): Inventory currently being processed but not finished.

Z

• Zero-Point Fixturing: A modular system that allows rapid part and fixture changeover, improving machine uptime.