Työkappale

Työkappale is a term used in Finnish manufacturing and engineering to refer to a piece of material that is subjected to processing in a production sequence. It can be metal, plastic, wood, or composite, and it is the part that is shaped, machined, or otherwise transformed, as opposed to tools, fixtures, or the finished product. The concept is common in mechanical engineering, metalworking, and workshop contexts.

In machining and fabrication, työkappale may start as a raw blank or a semifinished piece that is assigned to specific operations such as turning, milling, drilling, grinding, or additive processes. The required properties—dimensions, tolerances, surface finish, heat treatment, and any markings—are specified in technical drawings or process plans and guide the production workflow and quality control. Accurate handling, fixturing, and measurement are essential to ensure the workpiece meets design intentions.

Examples of työkappale include a metal cylinder that becomes a shaft after turning, a plastic block milled to a housing, or a wooden plank shaped into a component. The concept is fundamental in design, production planning, and education, serving as the basis for analyzing tolerances, machining sequences, and verification methods in engineering contexts.