Subtractive Fabrication

In subtractive manufacturing 3D objects are made by consecutively cutting material away from a fixed material body until a desired form is achieved. Unwanted materials are removed by cutting, drilling, or milling. Subtractive processes are inherently more wasteful than additive processes.

It is possible to create objects with tighter tolerances and better finishes using subtractive manufacturing. When it comes to precision for common functional features such as flat surfaces, drilled and tapped holes, counter sinks, and counter parts, subtractive processes generally achieve results with maximum repeatability and dimensional accuracy. Subtractive fabrication can also apply to 2D objects cut from flat stock.

Tools

WIRE EDM

The wire electric discharge machine (EDM) makes cuts using a very thin diameter wire (typically 0.15 to 0.20 mm) charged with extremely high voltage. The taught wire moves between two…

WATER-JET CUTTER

A water-jet cutter maneuvers a focused high- pressure stream of water to cut a material. Cutting can be done using pure water or water with an abrasive additive material like…

PLASMA CUTTER

Plasma cutters work by sending an electric arc through a gas that passes through a constricted opening. This elevates the temperature of the gas to the point that it enters…

LASER CUTTER

The laser cutter uses an optically amplified beam of light as a cutting element. That laser can etch, engrave and/or cut non-metallic materials including wood, glass, film, fabric, and plastic….

CNC ROUTER

A CNC router is a computer controlled machine that is capable of cutting a variety of materials. It is conceptually similar to the hand-held router. The CNC router machine translates…

CNC MILL

A CNC milling machine is a computer controlled machine that is generally used to plane material, drill holes, cut or carve materials. Each of these subtractive tasks do not involve…

CNC LATHE

A CNC lathe machine is a computer numerically controlled tool that rotates stock material about an axis of rotation to perform various subtractive operations. These include cutting, sanding, knurling, drilling,…