Which manufacturing technique removes material to create a component?

Which manufacturing technique removes material to create a component?

• A. Wasting/subtractive techniques
• B. Casting
• C. Milling
• D. Additive manufacturing

Answer: (A)

Removing material from a solid block to form the final part is subtractive, or wasting, manufacturing. In subtractive techniques you start with a larger piece and use tools to cut away material until the desired shape and dimensions remain. This contrasts with casting, where the part is formed by pouring material into a mold, and with additive manufacturing, which builds the part by adding material layer by layer. A milling operation is a common example of subtractive processing, but the broader idea the question targets is removing material to create the component, which is why this option fits best.

Removing material from a solid block to form the final part is subtractive, or wasting, manufacturing. In subtractive techniques you start with a larger piece and use tools to cut away material until the desired shape and dimensions remain. This contrasts with casting, where the part is formed by pouring material into a mold, and with additive manufacturing, which builds the part by adding material layer by layer. A milling operation is a common example of subtractive processing, but the broader idea the question targets is removing material to create the component, which is why this option fits best.