Machining
- As machined
- No secondary finish. The surface is left as the cutter produced it, typically Ra 1.6 to 3.2 micrometres.
- Datum
- The reference a dimension is measured from. A drawing whose datums change between views will be quoted with a guess in it.
- Deburr
- Removing the sharp edge left by cutting. Specify an edge break size if it matters, since "deburr" alone is open to interpretation.
- DFM
- Design for manufacture. Changing a drawing so it is cheaper or more reliable to make without changing how the part works.
- GD&T
- Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing. Controls form, orientation and position rather than the size of a single dimension.
- ISO 2768
- The general tolerance standard. Classes f, m, c and v set what applies to any dimension without its own tolerance.
- Passivation
- A chemical treatment that removes free iron from stainless steel. It does not add a coating or change dimensions measurably.
- Ra
- Arithmetic average surface roughness in micrometres. Lower means smoother and slower to produce.
- Setup
- One clamping of the part. Each additional setup adds cost and a source of positional error between faces.
- Soft jaws
- Machinable vice jaws cut to hold your specific part. Paid once, and worth asking whether the shop keeps them for repeat orders.
- True position
- A GD&T control on where a feature sits relative to its datums. Usually cheaper to hold than tight linear dimensions between every hole.
Process
- Lead time
- Elapsed time from a defined start point, usually a confirmed purchase order. Confirm the start point in writing or you are measuring different things.
- MOQ
- Minimum order quantity. Machining has no technical minimum, so a stated MOQ is usually a commercial minimum order value in disguise.
Quality
- Certificate of conformity
- A supplier statement that the goods meet the purchase order. A declaration, not evidence, since it carries no measurements.
- Concession
- A written acceptance of parts that deviate from the drawing. Record what was accepted and that it applies to one order only.
- First article inspection
- Every drawing characteristic measured on the first piece and recorded before the batch runs. The cheapest insurance on an overseas order.
- Mill certificate
- The material producer document giving chemistry and mechanical properties for a heat of material. Traceability depends on the heat number surviving the chain.
Trade
- Bill of lading
- The carrier document for a sea shipment. It is the contract of carriage and, in its negotiable form, title to the goods.
- Certificate of origin
- A document stating where goods were made. Preferential forms can lower your duty rate, non preferential forms simply prove origin.
- Chargeable weight
- The greater of actual and volumetric weight. Machined metal is dense, so air freight almost always charges on actual weight.
- Customs value
- The value duty is calculated on, normally the transaction value adjusted by your country rules. Itemised freight is sometimes deductible.
- DAP
- Delivered At Place. The seller delivers to your address and you pay import duty and taxes. Delivered does not mean cleared.
- DDP
- Delivered Duty Paid. The seller also pays import duty, which usually requires a presence in your country. Rarely quoted honestly.
- EXW
- Ex Works. You collect from the shop and handle everything after that, including export clearance in the supplier country.
- FOB
- Free On Board. The shop delivers to a named port and clears export. Risk passes when the goods are on board. A sea freight term.
- HS code
- The commodity code that decides your duty rate. Agree it before shipping, because a mismatch between export and import entries causes questions.
- Incoterms
- Standard three letter rules allocating cost, risk and who arranges transport. They do not transfer title, which follows your contract.
- ISPM 15
- The treatment standard for solid wood packaging. Unstamped solid wood pallets can be refused at the border. Plywood is generally exempt.
- Rules of origin
- The test in a trade agreement that decides whether goods qualify as originating. Machining raw bar into a part normally satisfies it comfortably.
- VCI
- Volatile corrosion inhibitor. Paper or film that protects steel parts in a container crossing the tropics. Inexpensive and routinely skipped.