Machine Parts Key Terms

Learn some terms that are bound to pop up when dealing with machine parts

If you deal with machine parts as a customer or manufacturer, there are a lot of terms to learn. Industrial machines and machine parts are used to create much of what we see around us on a daily basis.

There's no way to learn all the machine parts by name, but you can learn some common parts and related terms that apply to many of them. Knowing the basics about laser etching, CNC machines, ball bearings, taps, pneumatic cylinders, and seals and gaskets will help you be more informed when the subject of machine parts comes up.

 

Laser etching

Many machine parts are laser etched for identification and tracking purposes. Laser etching can also create logos on machine parts.
Try: Electrox discusses laser etching applications.

Computerized numerical control (CNC)

Many modern machine parts are made by computerized numerical control (CNC) machines. CNC machines use exact measurements to make parts to programmed specifications.
Try: CNC Concepts has a great primer on computer numerical control machines.

Ball bearings

Ball bearings are generally spherical rolling elements that maintain a separation between two parts to reduce friction. Common everyday applications include swivel office chairs and Lazy Susans.
Try: HowStuffWorks has an explanation and an illustration of how ball bearings work.

Taps

Taps are rotary machine parts used to carve screw threads into a hole so that things may be attached by screw or bolt to the hole.
Try: Tapmatic Corporation has illustrations and descriptions of a wide range of taps.

Pneumatic cylinders

Pneumatic or air cylinders are mechanical devices that use air in an enclosed cylinder to push, move or lift objects.
Try: Check out Peninsula Cylinder Co. for a wide range of aluminum and steel air cylinders.

Seals and gaskets

Seals and gaskets are used as barriers to keep gases or fluids from freely passing from one side of the seal or gasket to the other. Most commonly they are made of rubber or plastic.
Try: EPM carries a large selection of seals and gaskets and has a good FAQ page for basic seal and gasket information.

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