Glossary · 40 terms
Technical glossary
Terms from technical drawing, machining, quality, the shop floor, automation and marketing explained plainly, with shop and office examples.
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Manufacturing and machining
- 3D scanning · 3D scanner3D scanning captures a part's shape as millions of points, the basis for reverse engineering and comparison against CAD.
- CAM · Computer-aided manufacturingCAM is the software that turns a 3D model into toolpaths and G-code for a CNC machine to run.
- Cycle timeCycle time is how long a machine takes to make one part, from program start until the part is done and the next can begin.
- FDM · FFFFDM is 3D printing that lays down melted plastic filament layer by layer. Cheap and fast for prototypes, jigs and functional parts.
- Reverse engineeringReverse engineering rebuilds a part's 3D model and drawing from the physical part, when no design exists or it has been lost.
- Setup time · ChangeoverSetup time is the time to prepare a machine between batches: change fixtures, tools and program, and approve the first part.
- SLS · Selective Laser SinteringSLS is 3D printing that fuses nylon powder with a laser. It makes strong, support-free parts with geometry machining cannot reach.
Technical drawing and CAD
- Bill of materials · BOMA bill of materials (BOM) is the structured list of parts, quantities and materials that make up a product or assembly.
- DFM · Design for ManufacturingDFM means designing with manufacturing in mind, to cut cost, lead time and scrap without losing function.
- DXF file · DXFDXF is the 2D format used for laser, plasma, waterjet cutting and bending: it carries the part's exact outline as lines and arcs.
- Engineering change order · ECOAn engineering change order (ECO) records and approves a design change: what changes, why, where and from when.
- K-factor · Sheet metal flat patternThe K-factor is the neutral axis position within the thickness of bent sheet. It sets the flat length so the part comes out to size.
- Manufacturing drawing · Detail drawingA manufacturing drawing is the 2D document with everything the shop needs to make a part: views, dimensions, tolerances, material and finish.
- PDM · Product Data ManagementPDM is the system that stores and controls design files (3D, drawings, BOM) with revisions, approvals and history.
- STEP file · STEPSTEP (.stp/.step) is the most used neutral 3D format for exchanging models between CAD and CAM software without losing solid geometry.
Quality and tolerances
- Datum · Datum reference frameA datum is the reference surface, axis or plane on a drawing from which geometric tolerances are measured.
- First Article Inspection · FAIFAI is the full inspection of the first part of a batch, feature by feature, proving the process makes what the drawing asks.
- GD&T · Geometric Dimensioning and TolerancingGD&T is the symbol language of technical drawings that defines form, orientation and location of surfaces, beyond plain sizes.
- H7/g6 fit · ISO fitH7/g6 is an ISO fit between hole and shaft: letters set the tolerance position and numbers the grade, defining clearance or interference.
- Surface roughness Ra · Surface finishRa is a surface's average roughness in micrometers: the lower, the smoother. It defines the finish a drawing requires.
Industry 4.0 and shop floor
- MES · Manufacturing Execution SystemAn MES tracks shop floor production in real time: work orders, machines, production reporting, quality and traceability.
- MTBF · Mean Time Between FailuresMTBF is the average time a piece of equipment runs between one failure and the next. The higher it is, the more reliable the machine.
- MTConnect · OPC UAMTConnect is an open standard for reading CNC machine data (status, program, alarms, part count) without depending on the builder.
- MTTR · Mean Time To RepairMTTR is the average time to get a machine running again after a failure, from the alarm until it is released to production.
- OEE · Overall Equipment EffectivenessOEE shows how much of a machine's planned time actually produced good parts: availability × performance × quality.
Management and automation
- API integration · APIAPI integration connects two systems so they exchange data directly, with no spreadsheet exports and no retyping.
- Bank reconciliation · Account reconciliationBank reconciliation checks that every inflow and outflow on the statement matches an entry in the finance system, and vice versa.
- ERP · Enterprise Resource PlanningERP is the management system that integrates sales, purchasing, inventory, production, finance and tax in a single database.
- Lead time · Throughput timeLead time is the total time from order to delivery: queue, material purchasing, setup, production, inspection and shipping.
- Preventive maintenance · PMPreventive maintenance happens before a breakdown, by calendar or hours of use, to replace and adjust whatever wears out.
- Reorder point · ROPThe reorder point is the stock level at which you must buy again so the item does not run out before the supplier delivers.
- RPA · Robotic Process AutomationRPA is a software robot that mimics a person's clicks and typing to run repetitive tasks on systems without integration.
Marketing and websites
- B-roll · CutawaysB-roll is a video's supporting footage, such as machines running, details and the team at work, laid over the main speech.
- Core Web Vitals · LCPCore Web Vitals are Google's three metrics for page experience: loading (LCP), responsiveness (INP) and visual stability (CLS).
- Digital menu · Digital catalogA digital menu or catalog is the online version of your products with photos, prices and ordering via WhatsApp, opened by link or QR code.
- Hreflang · Multilingual siteHreflang is the markup that tells Google which pages are language versions of each other, so the right one shows in each country.
- Landing page · Destination pageA landing page is built for a single action, such as requesting a quote, and is where people land after clicking an ad or campaign.
- Performance Max · PMaxPerformance Max is the Google Ads campaign type that serves on Search, YouTube, Display, Gmail and Maps with one budget and automated bidding.
- ROAS · Return on ad spendROAS is revenue generated by ads divided by what was spent on them. A ROAS of 4 means $4 in sales for every $1 of media.
- Structured data · Schema.orgStructured data is markup (Schema.org in JSON-LD) that tells Google what a page is: company, service, article, FAQ, product.