Skip to content
Home arrow Exhibits arrow Past Exhibits arrow 2006: The Cutting Edge
2006: The Cutting Edge Print E-mail
Article Index
2006: The Cutting Edge
Machine Tools and Mass Production
What is a Machine Tool?
Methods of Shaping Metal
Machine Tools Today
Page 4 of 5

Methods of Shaping Metal

The machine tools have traditionally cut metal in the following ways:
  1. Turning
  2. Drilling or Boring
  3. Milling
  4. Planing and Shaping
  5. Stamping, Punching, Pressing
  6. Grinding
  7. Milling
  8. Sawing or Shearing
All of these methods can be performed by hand, but the machine tool can perform them more quickly and more uniformly, with less physical labor on the part of the worker. Today there are also new methods of shaping metal: laser beam machining, ultrasonic machining, chemical machining, and others. Each of these methods reduces hand labor and improves the accuracy of the work.

 
[ Back ]

Don't Miss...

FREE MUSEUM DAY and Special Tours

Saturday, September 27, 2008
Special Tours at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM

It's Smithsonian Day at museums around the country!  Download the Museum Day Admission Card from the Smithsonian web site and come and visit us, as well as other museums in our area - all offering free admission.