Machinery Parts Terminology
Machinery parts are typically made from a variety of materials, including metal, rubber, plastic, and composite. The types of machinery parts used in any particular application will depend on the specific requirements of the job. It is important to understand the different terminologies used to describe each type of machinery part.
Metal Parts: Metal parts are often used for bearing, shafts, gears and other components that need to be strong to support loads, vibrations and wear.
Castings: These are parts that have been formed by pouring molten material into a mould and allowing it to cool. It is usually used to shape metal parts, often with a high degree of accuracy.
Rolled Parts: These parts are formed by passing metal between two rollers, which compress and shape the metal into the desired shape.
Extrusions: An extrusion is a part that has been pushed through a die with a specific cross-section. Extrusions are used to create complex shapes with high accuracy.
Weldments: These parts are formed by joining pieces of metal together using welding techniques.
Forgings: Forgings are parts that have been formed by pressing metal into a high-temperature mould.
Machined Parts: These parts are created by cutting metal using tools such as lathes and grinders.
Plastic Parts: Plastic parts are typically made from a variety of polymer materials and can be injection molded into complex shapes with high accuracy.
Rubber Parts: Rubber parts are used to seal and dampen vibrations, as well as to provide abrasion resistance.
Composite Parts: Composite parts are typically made from combining two or more materials together to produce a material with better properties than the individual materials.
Fasteners: Fasteners are components that are used to attach two or more parts together. These can be nuts, bolts, screws or clips.
Bearings: Bearings are components that provide support while allowing three-dimensional motion.
Gears: Gears are mechanical parts used to create a mechanical advantage, or to deliver motion or force to an object.
Shafts: Shafts are round bars that are used to transmit motion or power between two components.
Springs: Springs are components that apply a force when compressed or stretched and are used to absorb shocks or to maintain tension.
Housings: Housings are components that are used to protect and enclose delicate internal parts.
Seals: Seals are components that are used to prevent the escape of fluids or substances.
Bushings: Bushings are components that are inserted in holes to reduce friction and to absorb vibration.
Clamps: Clamps are components that are used to attach pieces of a machine together.
There is a wide variety of terminology used to describe the components of a machine. Understanding the different terms used to describe each type of part is essential to achieving the desired results. Not only will this help to ensure the correct parts are chosen for any particular application, but it will also help to keep the project on time and on budget.
