Red Seal Machinist Practice Exam

Which process is specifically used to achieve tight tolerances?

1. General machining

2. Precision machining

3. Rough cutting

4. Surface treatment

The correct answer is: Precision machining

Precision machining is specifically designed to achieve tight tolerances, which are essential in applications where the dimensions and finishes of parts need to be extremely accurate. This process often involves advanced techniques and tools that allow for meticulous control over the machining parameters, such as feed rates, cutting speed, and tool wear. In precision machining, the equipment used, such as CNC machines, can operate with very high accuracy and repeatability, making it possible to produce components that fit together accurately without the need for significant rework. This type of machining is critical in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and medical device manufacturing, where even slight deviations can lead to failure or malfunction. Other processes like general machining can achieve reasonable tolerances but are not primarily focused on precision. Rough cutting is typically used to remove large amounts of material when high accuracy is not necessary. Surface treatment involves altering the surface characteristics of a finished part but does not directly influence the dimensional tolerances achieved during the initial machining operations. Therefore, precision machining stands out as the process specifically tailored for achieving tight tolerances.