Shape Modifying: Retaining Material

Abstract

Modifying the shape of a component by removing material cannot, in many cases, be the best way of achieving the final format. Machining, for example, normally requires the use of expensive equipment to turn the unwanted material into chips of swarf. Although the swarf may be recovered and recycled, its value, weight for weight, will be considerably less than that paid for the original raw material. There are a number of alternative processes that can be employed, which we will discuss in this chapter. Figure 8.1 lists some of the more common alternatives. Later in Chapter 12, we will expand on the reasons for selecting a particular process.