workcutting

Workcutting is a term used in some manufacturing and workshop contexts to describe the process of removing material from a workpiece to achieve final geometry, tolerances, and surface finish following initial shaping or forming operations. It encompasses subtractive cutting operations such as sawing, milling, turning, routing, grinding, laser or waterjet cutting, depending on material and precision requirements. In production, workcutting is typically scheduled after rough-cut steps and before finishing operations. The objective is to bring pieces within tolerance while controlling material waste, tool wear, and heat generation.

Equipment and techniques vary by material type: metal parts may be cut on CNC mills or lathes; wood or composites on saws and routers; plastics on laser cutters or waterjets. Advantages of workcutting include improved dimensional accuracy, enhanced surface quality, and the ability to isolate defects before final assembly. Challenges include burr formation, heat-affected zones, edge chipping, and the need for fixturing that minimizes deformation.

Safety considerations cover standard shop practices: eye protection, hearing protection, dust and chip management, guards, and proper workholding. In quality control, measurements are taken after cutting to verify tolerances, and secondary finishing steps like deburring, smoothing, or coating may follow. While not a universal term, workcutting is commonly understood as the post-forming subtraction phase that prepares parts for assembly or finishing. See also machining, subtractive manufacturing, finishing.