Within the manufacturing industry, there has been a variety of nomenclature and terminology that’s been built out over time. Part of our Machinist Training curriculum at NTMA encompasses most of these acronyms, including:
- CAM – At NTMA, we specifically teach MasterCAM, which is a common CNC programming software which generates the tool paths (digitally) for a given CNC Machine,
- CAD – Before any part is manufactured, it’s first created in a CAD system, which is a 3D Modeling software designers and mechanical engineer used to digitally create their components.
- GD&T – Related to blueprint reading, GD&T is a set of standards and parameters which helps designers design parts that are within a certain tolerance or specification.
- OD / ID – Outside diameter/Inside diameter – This is most common with lathes/turning centers, and is measuring the diameter of a given dimension on a blueprint
A large portion of gaining knowledge in the manufacturing field is memorizing these acronyms, knowing what they mean, and how they fit into the overall picture in a product development workflow. It can be frustrating at first, but with time these terms become second nature to most machinists.
If you’re interested in learning about more manufacturing acronyms to know, be sure to follow us on Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ntma_training_centers?lang=en
