Rapid Prototyping Glossary C | Attwood Product Development

C-axis

The rotary axis that rotates about the machine Z-axis, often used in turning centres and rotary tables.

CAD

Computer-aided design; software and digital geometry used to create and manage part models.

CAD model

The three-dimensional digital definition of a part used for quoting, analysis, machining, tooling and additive manufacture.

CAE

Computer-aided engineering; digital analysis such as FEA, CFD or mould-flow simulation used to predict performance and manufacturability.

Calibration

The act of verifying and adjusting a machine or instrument against a known standard.

CAM

Computer-aided manufacturing; software used to generate CNC toolpaths or process instructions from CAD geometry.

Cam (mould side-action)

A mould side-action element that moves in and out to form undercuts or side features.

Carbide

A very hard tool material, commonly tungsten carbide, used for cutting inserts, drills and end mills because it retains hardness at high temperature.

Carbon DLS

Carbon’s Digital Light Synthesis process; a resin-based additive method related to vat photopolymerisation and used for fast production of finely detailed polymer parts.

Carbon fibre reinforced polymer

A composite material using carbon fibres in a polymer matrix to improve stiffness and strength relative to the base polymer.

Carbon-filled nylon

A nylon compound reinforced with carbon fibre or carbon fill to improve stiffness and dimensional stability.

Cartesian coordinates

The X, Y and Z reference framework used to define programmed machine positions and movements.

Case hardening

A heat-treatment method that hardens the outer surface of a metal while retaining a tougher core.

Cast urethane

A family of polyurethane parts produced by vacuum casting into silicone moulds for low-volume prototypes and bridge parts.

Castable resin

A photopolymer designed to burn out cleanly for jewellery, investment casting or intricate pattern work.

Casting resin

A resin formulated for creating master patterns, visual models or cast components, often by pouring into a mould.

Cavitation

In tooling discussions, the number of cavities in a mould; in fluid systems, the formation of vapour bubbles due to pressure drop.

Cavity

The void in a mould that defines all or part of the external geometry of a moulded component.

Cavity pressure

The pressure developed inside the mould cavity during filling and packing. It is often monitored with cavity-pressure sensors to validate processing and improve repeatability.

Cavity side

The mould half that typically forms the external cosmetic faces of the part; often associated with the A-side of the tool, though conventions can vary by tool design.

Centreless grinding

Also called centerless grinding in US usage; a grinding method in which the workpiece is supported on a blade rather than held between centres or in a chuck.

Ceramic coating

A hard thin coating used to improve wear resistance, heat resistance or appearance on selected prototype or end-use parts.

Ceramic media tumbling

A mass-finishing process that uses ceramic media in a vibrating or rotating bowl to deburr and smooth parts.

Chamfer

A flat truncated edge used to remove sharp corners, aid assembly or improve machinability.

Chatter

Self-excited vibration during machining that degrades surface finish, dimensional control and tool life.

CHDM

Cyclohexanedimethanol; a glycol modifier used in PETG chemistry to reduce brittleness and improve processability relative to unmodified PET.

Check fixture

A dedicated fixture used to verify dimensions, assembly fit or go/no-go conditions quickly on recurring prototype parts.

Check ring

A ring-shaped non-return element fitted near the screw tip to reduce melt backflow during injection; also called a non-return ring. It helps maintain shot accuracy and pressure transfer into the mould.

Chem-film

Common shorthand for chromate conversion coating on aluminium; also written chem film and often used for corrosion protection and paint preparation.

Chemical polishing

A controlled chemical process that smooths a surface without extensive mechanical abrasion.

Chemical vapour smoothing

A post-process that exposes thermoplastic printed parts to controlled solvent vapour to reduce layer lines and seal the surface.

Chip load

The amount of material removed by each cutting edge per revolution in machining.

Chromate conversion coating

A chemical treatment applied mainly to aluminium to improve corrosion resistance and paint adhesion; often referred to by trade terms such as Alodine.

Clamp force

The force that keeps an injection mould closed during filling and packing.

Clamp tonnage

Another commercial term for the clamping force capability of an injection moulding machine, usually expressed in tonnes. Adequate clamp tonnage is needed to keep the mould shut and avoid flash.

Clamping fixture

A workholding device used to locate and secure a part consistently during machining, inspection or assembly.

Clamping force

The force used to hold the mould halves closed during filling, packing and cooling; commonly expressed in tonnes or kilonewtons. Also called clamp force.

Clear resin

A transparent photopolymer resin used in SLA, DLP and related processes for visual models, fluidic features and light-transmitting prototypes.

Clearance fit

A fit in which there is intentional space between mating parts to allow easy assembly or movement.

Climb milling

Also called down milling; a milling direction in which cutter rotation pulls the tool into the work, often giving better finish on rigid machines.

CLIP

Continuous liquid interface production; a vat-photopolymer process that uses an oxygen-permeable window to achieve rapid continuous curing.

Closed-cell foam

A foam structure in which the gas cells are enclosed rather than interconnected, often used when low absorption and higher stiffness are required.

Closed-loop control

A control system that uses feedback from sensors or encoders to correct machine motion or process output.

CMM

Coordinate measuring machine; metrology equipment used to inspect part geometry against CAD or drawing dimensions.

CNC

Computer numerical control; the automated control of machine tools by programmed instructions.

CNC machining

Computer numerical control machining; a subtractive process using programmed mills, lathes or routers to cut material from stock.

Coating thickness

The measured thickness of paint, plating, anodising or other applied surface layers.

Cold runner

An injection-mould runner system in which the feed channels solidify with the part and are removed after moulding.

Cold slug

A small portion of cooled material that forms at the nozzle or sprue entrance before the next shot. If it enters the cavity it can cause cosmetic or fill defects.

Cold slug well

A recess in the runner system designed to capture the initial colder slug of material before it reaches the cavity. It helps improve surface quality and flow consistency.

Cold spray

A solid-state deposition process in which metal powder is accelerated at high speed and bonds to a surface without full melting.

Cold-chamber die casting

A die-casting method in which the metal is melted in a separate furnace and then transferred into the shot chamber for injection.

Collet

A slotted clamping sleeve used to grip tools or workpieces with high concentricity and quick changeover.

Collet chuck

A chucking system that uses collets to hold round stock or tools accurately, common on lathes and toolholders.

Colour matching

The process of selecting pigments, dyes or coatings to achieve a required visual colour target.

Compression moulding

A moulding process in which material is placed in an open mould, then compressed and cured or formed under heat and pressure.

Compression ratio

In injection screw design, the ratio between channel depths in the feed and metering zones. It influences melting efficiency, shear and material handling behaviour.

Compression set

The permanent deformation retained by an elastomer after a compressive load is removed.

Computer numerical control

CNC; the method of controlling machine motion and functions by software-driven numerical commands.

Computer-aided engineering

The full term for CAE.

Computer-aided manufacturing

The full term for CAM.

Concentricity

A geometric condition describing how closely one cylindrical feature shares the same axis as another.

Conformal cooling

Cooling channels shaped to follow the contour of a mould cavity, often enabled by metal additive manufacturing.

Contact probe

A tactile probing device used on CNC machines or CMMs to locate features and verify dimensions.

Continuous casting

A casting process in which molten metal solidifies continuously to form long products such as slabs, billets, bars or tubes.

Continuous fibre reinforcement

A method of adding continuous strands of fibre, such as carbon or glass, to improve printed composite part performance.

Continuous liquid interface production

The full term for CLIP.

Contour milling

A CNC milling strategy that follows the outline or surface form of a part.

Contour scan

An additive or inspection strategy that traces the outer profile of a layer or feature.

Conventional cooling

Traditional straight-drilled cooling passages in mould tooling, contrasted with conformal cooling channels that follow the part geometry more closely.

Conventional milling

Also called up milling; a milling direction in which cutter rotation opposes feed direction, sometimes used where scale or backlash conditions favour it.

Conversion coating

A chemical surface treatment that converts the outer metal layer into a protective film; common examples include chromate and phosphate coatings.

Coolant

A cutting fluid or liquid applied to remove heat, lubricate the cut, flush chips and improve tool life and surface quality during machining.

Cooling time

The period required for the moulded polymer to cool and solidify enough for safe ejection without unacceptable distortion. Cooling time is a major contributor to total cycle time.

Coordinate measuring machine

The full term for CMM.

Core

The mould feature that forms internal geometry, such as bores, recesses or hollow sections.

Core pin

A slender mould element used to form holes or narrow internal features.

Core pull

A mechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically actuated motion used to withdraw a core or slide before ejection. Core pulls allow undercuts or side features to be moulded.

Core side

The mould half that usually carries the core features and ejector system; commonly associated with the B-side of the tool. It often retains the part when the mould opens for ejection.

Counterbore

A cylindrical recess that allows the head of a fastener to sit below or flush with the surface.

Countersink

A conical recess designed to seat a countersunk fastener.

Cp

Process capability index comparing the spread of a stable process to the specified tolerance band.

Cpk

Process capability index that considers both spread and centring of a stable process relative to tolerance limits.

Cube moulding

A rotary multi-shot injection-moulding approach in which a cube-like mould indexes between stations to improve productivity for multi-material or multi-colour parts.

Cure

The chemical hardening of a resin, adhesive, coating or thermoset material.

Cure inhibition

A failure or slowing of resin cure caused by contaminants, oxygen exposure or incompatible materials.

Curing oven

An oven used to complete polymerisation, drying, paint cure or post-cure steps.

Cushion

The small amount of molten material intentionally left in front of the screw at the end of injection. Also called melt cushion; it supports stable pack pressure and process control.

Cutter compensation

A programmed offset, often left or right compensation, that adjusts the toolpath to account for actual cutter diameter.

Cutter engagement

The amount of tool contact with material during cutting, which strongly affects cutting force, heat and tool life.

Cycle time

The total time required to complete one manufacturing cycle, especially in moulding or automated production.

Cylindrical grinding

A grinding process for round parts in which the workpiece rotates while the wheel grinds the outer or inner cylindrical surface.