Processes

Product Development and Manufacturing Processes

Design and Manufacturing Glossary

Anodise

An electrolytic passivation process that increases corrosion resistance and wear resistance.

Assembly

Putting together manufactured parts to make a completed product.

Additive Layer Manufacturing

Making a three-dimensional solid object from a digital model.

CAD

Computer Aided Design

CAM

Computer Aided Manufacture/Machining

CIM

Computer Integrated Manufacture/Machining

Cavity

The space inside a mould into which material is injected.

CNC

Computer Numerical Control

Die

A device used for cutting, forming, or stamping material.

EMC / EMI

Electromagnetic Compatibility/Interference

EDM

Electric discharge machining

EPOS

Electronic Point of Sales

Extrusion

Material is pushed or drawn through a die to create a part with a fixed cross-sectional profile.

Fabrication

The building of metal structures by cutting, bending, and assembling.

FDM

Fuse Deposition Modeling

FEA

Finite Element Analysis

Galvanised

Zinc based surface finish that protects metals against corrosion.

GPS

Global Positioning System

IFE

In Flight Entertainment

IP Rating

Ingress Protection Rating

ISO

International Organisation of Standardisation

Jigs

Tool used to control location and/or motion.

Rapid Prototyping

Techniques used to quickly fabricate a physical part or assembly using CAD data.

RFI

Radio Frequency Interference

SLS

Selective Laser Sintering is an additive layer manufacturing process that uses a CO2 laser to fuse a fine nylon powder.

SLA

Stereo lithography is an additive layer manufacturing process that uses a UV laser to cure resin in layers.

Tool/Tooling

The custom-made tool used to produce parts on an injection moulding machine.