Dictionary

Letter

A

Dictionary

Abrasion refers to the loss of material that occurs on surfaces due to mechanical effects such as abrasion or friction. This often occurs in moving parts and in the manufacture of parts where they come into contact with each other or with fixed surfaces. As abrasion can result in a loss of surface quality or properties, abrasion affects the service life of components. The severity of abrasion depends on the choice of material, among other things, and can be reduced by coatings.

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Additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing is an innovative manufacturing process in which material is added layer by layer to create three-dimensional objects. This approach enables the production of complex geometries and customized components that are often not feasible with traditional manufacturing methods. In industry, additive manufacturing is used to create prototypes quickly, shorten production times and increase material efficiency. It also offers flexibility for design adjustments without additional tooling costs, making development and production more agile. By reducing waste and optimizing the use of materials, additive manufacturing contributes to sustainable production and strengthens the competitiveness of companies in a wide range of industries.

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B

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Bend radius

The bend radius is a radius that indicates how a material must be bent without causing cracks or permanent deformation. The bend radius varies from material to material and is therefore often specified in technical drawings to ensure the final product meets expectations. The smaller the bend radius, the tighter the product curves can be, but it also increases the demands on the material.

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Biocompability

Biocompatibility refers to the ability of a material to interact with living tissue without causing undesirable biological reactions. In the manufacturing industry, especially in the production of medical devices, implants and prostheses, biocompatibility is crucial. Materials must be carefully selected and tested to ensure that they are neither toxic nor irritating and that they can function permanently in the body. High biocompatibility ensures patient safety and well-being, minimizes the risk of rejection and meets regulatory requirements. Biocompatibility therefore plays a central role in the development and production of medical products in order to provide effective and trustworthy solutions for the healthcare sector.

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Blank

A blank is a semi-finished product that is created after the primary machining process and serves as the starting material for further production. In industrial production, the blank forms the basis for various downstream processing steps such as machining, shaping or surface treatment. Blanks can come in different shapes and materials, for example as metal ingots, plastic granules or blocks of wood, depending on the desired end product. The quality and precision of the blank are crucial for the efficiency and accuracy of the subsequent production steps, as they form the basis for the dimensional accuracy and technical properties of the finished product. By using standardized blanks, production processes can be optimized and costs reduced, thereby increasing competitiveness in the manufacturing industry.

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Blue Angel certificate

The Blue Angel certification is a globally recognized environmental label that was introduced in Germany in 1978 and identifies products that are particularly environmentally friendly. Criteria for assessing the environmental friendliness of the product are, for example, resource conservation, energy efficiency and reduction of pollutants. The label is intended to help consumers find environmentally friendly products and thus make their purchasing decisions easier. Conversely, it is also an opportunity for companies to have their efforts with regard to the environment labeled and thus make the product more attractive.

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Burn marks

Burn marks are dark discolorations or streak-like markings on injection-molded parts caused by local overheating of the plastic melt or trapped air inside the mold cavity. They reduce visual quality and often point to poor venting, excessive injection speed, or overly high melt temperatures.

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Burn marks (injection molding)

Burn marks in injection molding appear as dark brown or black areas on molded parts when plastic or trapped air overheats during filling, often near the end of the flow path. They usually indicate poor venting, overly aggressive process settings, or problematic flow geometry and can affect both appearance and material integrity.

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C

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CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software

CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software is best suited for creating technical drawings. This software helps with the creation, modification, and optimization of drawings and can display models in 3D. CAD software is particularly helpful for standardizing drawings, as it significantly improves accuracy and efficiency and facilitates functional simulation.

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CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software

CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software is a digital aid for the manufacturing process. By programming machines and tools, CAD models are translated into instructions that enable the machines to perform highly precise and efficient machining operations. CAM software is particularly important for metal and plastics processing because it automates manufacturing processes, reduces human errors, and improves product quality. Examples of CAM programs include Mastercam and SolidCAM.

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CE mark

The CE mark is known throughout Europe and is mandatory for many products such as toys, electrical appliances and machines. If a product bears the mark, this indicates that the product meets the safety, health and environmental requirements of the EU directives. It is important to note that the label is not automatically a guarantee of good quality, but rather shows that the manufacturer takes responsibility for ensuring that the product meets the requirements. If a product has the seal, it is approved for the free movement of goods within the European Economic Area (EEA) and can therefore be sold freely.

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D

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DAP (Delivered at Place)

DAP (Delivered at Place) is a trade term of the international Incoterms. DAP states that the seller assumes all costs and insurance of the freight until delivery to the destination. Risk of loss or damage passes to the buyer only after the goods have been placed at the destination for unloading. Unloading and import duties are usually borne by the buyer. The advantage of this clause is that the seller assumes full responsibility for logistics. It can also be applied to all types of transportation.

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DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)

DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is one of the best known international trade clauses as it is the one-stop solution for buyers. This clause states that the seller assumes all costs and risks of the complete delivery and logistics up to the delivery to the final destination. This includes any customs duties and taxes as well as insurance and transportation. The buyer therefore simply has to take delivery of the goods, and thus has the most convenient variant of the trade term. This clause is particularly often used when the buyer has no experience of the legal and logistical requirements of international transportation.

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DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded)

A supplementary clause to DAP is the DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded). It is part of the international Incoterms and states that the seller bears all costs and risks for the freight up to the final destination and also assumes responsibility for unloading. Only after successful unloading do the remaining responsibilities, such as onward transportation or import duties, pass to the buyer. The clause is particularly useful for those buyers who want to transfer the entire logistics to the seller and also do not have a suitable unloading infrastructure themselves.

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E

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EXW (Ex Works)

The international trade term EXW (Ex Works) is part of the Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) and states that the seller fulfills their delivery obligation as soon as they have made the goods available for collection at their location. This type of delivery is therefore also called "ex works." The seller is therefore not responsible for transport and shipping, so the buyer must bear the logistics and costs themselves. This type of delivery is particularly suitable if the buyer already has a large existing logistics network or has sufficient experience and resources for logistics handling.

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Elasticity

Elasticity is the ability of a material to return to its original shape when the deformation is removed by a released load. Elasticity is typically measured by the Young's modulus, which expresses the relationship between stress and strain. Materials with high elasticity, such as rubber, can return to their original shape even after high stress or deformation without compromising their mechanical properties.

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Electrical conductivity

Electrical conductivity indicates how well a material can conduct electrical current. This is characterized by the conductivity coefficient and is measured in siemens per meter (S/m). Materials with very high electrical conductivity, such as copper, are essential for use in electrical cables and circuit boards. Electrical conductivity depends on the freely available electrons in the material.

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F

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FAS (Free Alongside Ship)

FAS (Free Alongside Ship) is an international trade term and part of the Incoterms. It describes that the seller delivers the goods to the port of shipment and places them alongside the ship. Up to this point, the seller bears all costs and risks, which are then transferred to the buyer on an ongoing basis. Thus, the seller bears all costs and risks including loading and unloading, insurance and freight. This clause is used exclusively for maritime transport and is particularly suitable for bulky and bulk goods.

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FCA (Free Carrier)

One international trade clause of the Incoterms is the FCA (Free Carrier). This states that the seller delivers the goods to a specified location or to a named carrier and must bear all costs and risks up to this point, including insurance and export duties. From the point of delivery, the buyer then assumes all duties and responsibilities for the remaining stages of delivery. The clause can be used flexibly for various transportation routes such as ship or plane.

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FCM

Die FCM (Food Contact Materials) sind Materialien oder Gegenstände, die mit Lebensmitteln in Kontakt kommen können, wie Verpackungen, Maschinen oder Küchengeräte. Damit diese Materialien in Kombination mit Lebensmitteln unbedenklich sind, müssen sie strenge Sicherheitsanforderungen erfüllen. Diese Anforderungen sind z.B. in der EU durch die Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1935/2004 und in den USA durch die FDA (Food and Drug Administration) festgelegt. Diese Zertifizierung ist somit sehr wichtig für die Lebensmittelsicherheit und das Vertrauen in entsprechende Produkte und garantiert, dass keine gesundheitsschädlichen Stoffe in die Lebensmittel übergehen.

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H

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Hardening

Hardening refers to the process of targeted strengthening of materials, particularly metals and plastics. Thermal or chemical processes are used to improve the mechanical properties of the material by strengthening its structure. In industrial production, hardening is used in the manufacture of components that require increased strength and wear resistance, such as in the automotive or mechanical engineering industries. This process is crucial to ensure the durability and reliability of products. In addition, curing enables the optimization of material properties, which increases both the performance and safety of the end products. Overall, curing makes a significant contribution to quality assurance and increased efficiency in the manufacturing industry.

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Hardness

Hardness significantly influences the wear resistance and durability of materials and describes the ability of a material to protect itself from the penetration of another body and thus to resist permanent plastic deformation. In order to measure the resistance to external influences such as scratches or abrasion, the indentation or scratch hardness is usually determined. In particular, materials with a strong internal structure such as diamond have a high hardness.

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Homogenization

Homogenization refers to the industrial process of creating a uniform, stable mixture of different substances. Through mechanical action, such as high-pressure homogenization, particles are reduced to microscopic levels and evenly distributed. This process is essential in the food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries to ensure the consistency, quality and shelf life of products. Homogenization prevents the separation of phases, improves the texture and appearance of the end products and enables efficient further processing. In addition, the process contributes to the reduction of microorganisms, which increases the safety and longevity of products. Overall, homogenization is an essential step in ensuring high industry standards and meeting customer expectations.

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I

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IATF 16949

IATF 16949 is an internationally recognized quality management standard for the automotive industry based on ISO 9001 and extended with sector-specific requirements such as traceability, risk prevention, defect reduction, and continuous improvement. Certification helps suppliers demonstrate robust process quality and meet automotive customer expectations.

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ISO 9001 certificate

ISO 9001 is an international certification awarded to companies that can demonstrate a good quality management system. They can therefore prove that they are able to implement complex processes to ensure consistently high product quality and a high level of customer satisfaction. This applies to the entire value chain, from development and production through to customer service. ISO 9001 is therefore an important proof of quality in relationships between companies and customers, and can also improve competitiveness and efficiency.

Dictionary

Impact resistance

Impact resistance describes the strength of a material under sudden loads, such as hard blows or impacts. In various tests, such as the Charpy or Izod test, the impact resistance is determined by testing the material for sudden loads until it breaks or tears. High impact resistance is particularly important for applications with high dynamic loads. This is achieved by certain plastics or alloy steels, for example.

Letter

J

Dictionary

Jetting

Jetting is an injection molding defect characterized by irregular, worm-like flow lines on the part surface when the plastic melt enters the cavity too quickly without immediately contacting the mold wall. It is often linked to gate design, melt temperature, or injection speed and can weaken appearance and surface consistency.

Letter

M

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Machinability

Machinability describes the suitability of a material to be machined using CNC production processes such as turning, milling or drilling. Many mechanical properties, such as hardness, toughness or thermal conductivity, influence the machinability of a material. The higher the machinability of a material, the easier it is to machine, which in turn has a positive effect on wear and production costs. Machinability is therefore one of the most important parameters in the production of workpieces and components.

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Magnetizability

Magnetizability describes the ability of a material to develop its own magnetic properties under the influence of an external magnetic field. Materials such as iron, nickel and cobalt, some of which retain their magnetic properties even after the external magnetic field has been removed, are particularly suitable for this process. The magnetizability of a material is characterized by its permeability. High magnetizability makes materials particularly interesting for electrical engineering or magnetic bearings.

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Make or buy (manufacturing)

Make or buy is a decision-making process in which a strategic decision is made as to whether a product or service should be manufactured internally (make) or by an external provider (buy). The decision is made on the basis of several factors, such as costs, quality, capacities and know-how. The analysis can help companies to find the optimal solution in terms of resources and costs. This can improve competitiveness and flexibility.

Letter

N

UL certificate

The UL certificate is awarded by the Underwriters Laboratories organization in the USA and Canada and tests products for safety and conformity using various nomenclatures. Products with this certificate show that they have passed stringent tests and meet high safety requirements, particularly with regard to electrical, mechanical and fire safety. In contrast to the European CE mark, there is no legal obligation to have the UL certificate for the respective product, but it is often essential for North American market entry.

Letter

V

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Viscosity

Viscosity describes the internal friction of a fluid and is a measure of its flowability. In the manufacturing industry, viscosity is crucial for processes such as casting, extrusion and coating, as it influences the behavior of materials during processing. Optimal viscosity ensures consistent production processes, improves the quality of end products and minimizes material losses. In addition, viscosity is important in the selection of lubricants and coolants to increase the efficiency and service life of machines. Accurate measurement and control of viscosity enables companies to precisely control their production processes and remain competitive.

Letter

W

Dictionary

Wall thickness

The wall thickness refers to the thickness of the wall of a component, such as a pipe, container or sheet metal. The wall thickness is decisive for various mechanical properties of a component, such as strength, stability and load-bearing capacity. The optimum wall thickness is not only important for the specific requirements of the product, but also for cost-optimized production. Cleverly selected wall thicknesses can help to make production less complicated and therefore more cost-effective.

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Wear

Similar to abrasion, wear is a gradual loss of material on the surface of components. It can be caused by several factors, including friction, abrasion or corrosion. Wear resistance is primarily influenced by material hardness, surface condition and lubrication. The choice of the right tools, lubricants and coolants is therefore essential, especially in manufacturing, in order to minimize the effects of wear and thereby extend the service life of components, tools and machines.

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Weather resistance

Weather resistance refers to the ability of a material or product to withstand the effects of weather conditions such as rain, snow, sun, wind and temperature fluctuations without losing functionality, aesthetics or structural integrity. In the manufacturing industry, weather resistance is critical to the longevity and reliability of products that are used outdoors, such as building components, vehicle parts or outdoor equipment. By improving weather resistance, companies can extend the life of their products, reduce maintenance costs and increase customer satisfaction. Techniques to increase weather resistance include the selection of suitable materials, the use of coatings and the application of protective treatments.

Letter

Y

Dictionary

Yield strength

Yield strength describes the point at which a material remains permanently deformed. Once the material retains its elongation after the load is removed, the yield point is reached. The higher a material's yield strength, the more resistant it is to permanent deformation. Yield strength is usually measured in megapascals (MPa), and this is usually determined at the 0.2% yield strength (Rp 0.2), i.e., where the material has a permanent elongation of 0.2%.

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