Manufacturing Glossary
Manufacturing comes with a lot of industry jargon. Check out our glossary for clear definitions of commonly used terms and acronyms.
ACIS
ACIS is a common file format for exchanging CAD data, primarily used in AutoCAD programs. The acronym originally stood for “Andy, Charles, and Ian's System.”
Additive manufacturing
Additive manufacturing, often referred to as 3D printing, involves creating a physical three-dimensional object from a CAD model or scan by building it layer by layer. Common additive processes include stereolithography, selective laser sintering, fused deposition modeling, and direct metal laser sintering. These terms are often used interchangeably
A-Side
Sometimes called the “cavity,” it is the half of the mold that usually creates the exterior of a cosmetic part. The A-side usually does not have moving parts built into it.
Axial hole
This is a hole that is parallel to the axis of revolution of a turned part, but does not need to be concentric to it.
Barrel
A component of an injection molding machine where resin pellets are melted, compressed, and injected into the mold’s runner system.
Bead Blasting
A surface finishing process that uses pressurized abrasives to create texture on a part.
Bevel
Also known as a “chamfer,” it is a flat, angled edge or truncated corner
Blush
A cosmetic defect appearing as blotchy discoloration at the resin injection site, typically near the gate.
Blush
A cosmetic defect appearing as blotchy discoloration at the resin injection site, typically near the gate.
Bridge Tool
A temporary mold used to produce parts until a high-volume production mold is available.
B-Side
Also called the ``core,`` this half of the mold contains ejectors, side-action cams, and complex components. It typically forms the interior of a cosmetic part.
Build Platform
The base of an additive manufacturing machine where parts are printed. The platform’s size determines the maximum part dimensions and often accommodates multiple parts.
Bumpoff
A mold feature with an undercut requiring the part to flex or stretch for ejection.
CAD
Computer-aided design.
Cam
A mold component that moves into place as the mold closes, typically to resolve an undercut or allow an undrafted outside wall. Also called a “side-action,” it retracts when the mold opens to enable part ejection.
Cavity
The hollow space between the A-side and B-side of a mold, filled with resin to form the part. The A-side is sometimes referred to as the cavity
Chamfer
Also known as a “bevel,” it is a flat, angled edge or truncated corner.
Clamp Force
The pressure required to keep the mold closed during injection, preventing resin leakage. Measured in tons (e.g., “700-ton press”).
Contoured Pins
Ejector pins shaped to match the sloping surfaces of a part for smoother ejection.
Core
A mold feature that shapes the interior of a hollow part, typically located on the B-side, which is sometimes called the core.
Core Pin
A fixed mold element that creates a void in the part. Often made separately and inserted into the A-side or B-side. Steel core pins are sometimes used in aluminum molds for added durability.
Core-Cavity
A term describing a mold formed by mating the A-side and B-side halves.
Cycle Time
The total time to produce one part, including mold closing, resin injection, cooling, mold opening, and part ejection.
Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)
A fiber laser system welds atomized metal powder layer by layer to form a solid metal part. A fresh powder layer is added after each pass until the final shape is complete.
Direction of Pull
The direction in which mold surfaces move when separating from the part, either during mold opening or part ejection
Draft
A slight taper applied to part surfaces to prevent scraping and damage during ejection by ensuring they are not parallel to the mold’s opening motion.
Drying of Plastics
Since many plastics absorb moisture, they must be dried before injection molding to maintain material quality and surface finish.
Durometer
A scale measuring material hardness, with lower values indicating softer materials and higher values indicating harder materials.
Edge Gate
An opening at the parting line of a mold where resin enters the cavity, typically positioned on the outer edge of the part.
EDM (Electric Discharge Machining)
A moldmaking process that enables the creation of tall, thin ribs, text on rib tops, and precise square edges, which are difficult to achieve with milling.
Ejection
The final stage of injection molding, where the cooled part is pushed out of the mold using pins or other mechanisms.
Ejector Pins
Pins on the B-side of the mold that push the part out once it has cooled sufficiently
Elongation at Break
The percentage a material can stretch before breaking
End Mill
A cutting tool used in machining to shape molds.
ESD (Electrostatic Discharge)
An electrical phenomenon that may require shielding in certain applications. Some plastics are formulated to be conductive or dissipative to help prevent ESD.
Family Mold
A type of mold containing multiple cavities, each designed to form a different part number in a single production cycle. All parts are made from the same material. See also multi-cavity mold.
Fillet
A curved transition between a rib and a wall, designed to improve material flow and reduce mechanical stress concentrations in the finished part.
Finish
A surface treatment applied to a part to enhance appearance, texture, or functionality. Finishes can range from smooth and polished to textured patterns that mask imperfections.
Flame Retardant
A specially formulated resin designed to resist ignition and slow the spread of flames.
Flash
An unwanted thin layer of material that seeps into small gaps along the mold’s parting line during the molding process.
Flow Marks
Visible patterns on a molded part that reveal the path of plastic flow before solidification.
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