Machining is a shaping technique that is widely used in industry. Machining by chip removal can be characterised by the action of a cutting tool that allows a part both to be cut into specific dimensions and given a particular surface finish within a range of given tolerance values. Aluminium alloy is machined in various industrial sectors, including:

• The aeronautical industry, where the chip removal rate can represent 95% of the part's initial volume.
• The moulding industry, which stands out because of the complex tooling shapes employed.
• The automotive industry, where numerous machining operations need to be carried out on aluminium-silicon casting alloys.

Aeronautics	The moulding industry	Automotive

Material removal machining techniques have progressed immensely in the last few years, in particular in the field of aluminium parts. Thanks to High Speed Machining, these techniques are 4 to 10 times more productive than conventional techniques.