unmachined

Unmachined refers to a material or object that has not undergone machining processes. Machining is a subtractive manufacturing method that involves the use of cutting tools to remove material from a workpiece, shaping it into a desired form. Therefore, unmachined items are in their raw or pre-processed state, retaining characteristics from their initial manufacturing or natural formation.

In the context of metals, unmachined surfaces might exhibit casting marks, forging textures, or the natural grain structure of the raw material. For wood, unmachined surfaces could show saw marks, bark, or the natural irregularities of the tree. Similarly, in plastics or composites, unmachined parts might retain mold lines or the texture from their initial molding process.

The term "unmachined" is often used to distinguish from finished or precisely shaped components. For example, an unmachined casting is a rough shape produced by pouring molten metal into a mold, which will later require machining to achieve tight tolerances and smooth surfaces for its final application. Similarly, unmachined lumber is wood that has been sawn from a log but not planed or shaped further. The presence of an unmachined surface can indicate that further processing is required before the item can be used as intended, or it may be a deliberate choice for aesthetic or functional reasons in certain applications.