machinable

A machinable metal part is being cut on a lathe.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Capable of being cut or shaped by a machine tool: "machinable" describes a material (such as metal, wood, or plastic) that can be worked on using a machine, typically a lathe, mill, or drill, to achieve a desired form or finish.
   • Suitable for machining: It implies that the material has properties (e.g., hardness, brittleness) that allow it to be processed effectively by mechanical cutting or shaping tools.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Aluminum is highly machinable, making it a popular choice for precision parts. (Aluminum can be easily cut or shaped with machine tools.)
  • This new alloy is not machinable due to its extreme hardness. (The alloy cannot be worked on by standard machine tools because it is too hard.)

Advanced Usage

• "machinable wax": a type of wax specifically formulated to be cut by machine tools, often used for prototyping or creating models.

  • The engineer used machinable wax to create a prototype of the component. (The wax can be shaped by a machine for testing purposes.)

• "machinable ceramic": a ceramic material that can be cut or drilled with standard tools, as opposed to traditional ceramics which are very brittle.

  • Machinable ceramics are used in high-temperature applications where metal would fail. (These ceramics can be shaped by machines despite their ceramic nature.)

Variants and Related Words

• Machinability (noun): the quality or property of being machinable; the ease with which a material can be cut or shaped by a machine tool.

  • The machinability of steel depends on its carbon content. (How easily steel can be worked on by machines varies with its composition.)

• Machine (noun/verb): a tool or device that performs work; to cut, shape, or finish using a machine.

  • The machine can machine steel parts with high precision. (The device can cut steel accurately.)

Synonyms

• Workable: capable of being shaped or formed.
• Cuttable: able to be cut by a tool or machine.
• Malleable: capable of being hammered or pressed into shape (though this term is more specific to metals and manual shaping).

Phrasal Verbs

• Machine down: to reduce the size or thickness of a material by using a machine tool.

  • The technician machined down the shaft to fit the bearing. (He used a machine to make the shaft smaller.)

• Machine out: to remove material from a workpiece using a machine tool, often to create a cavity or hole.

  • They machined out a slot in the metal plate. (They removed material with a machine to form a groove.)

Related Idioms