NIMS Core Machining Skills Exam
Questions Correct Answers
air nozzle - Answers -✔✔ A device used to spray air. Air nozzles can be used by an
operator to remove chips from inside a CNC machine.
bore - Answers -✔✔ A single-point cutting tool used to enlarge a preexisting hole.
Boring, which can be performed on either a lathe or a mill, helps create a concentric
hole that meets tight tolerances.
Brix scale - Answers -✔✔ A system used for measuring the concentration of a
substance that has been mixed with water. The Brix scale is used in conjunction with a
refractometer to determine the concentration of a fluid.
burr - Answers -✔✔ A rough edge remaining on material, such as metal, after it has
been machined. Burrs must be removed during finishing processes to improve the
functionality and appearance of a part.
calibration - Answers -✔✔ The comparison and adjustment of a device with unknown
accuracy to a device with a known, accurate standard. Calibration eliminates any
variation in the device being checked.
carriage - Answers -✔✔ The section of the lathe that slides back and forth
longitudinally along the ways. The carriage supports the cross-slide and cutting tool.
chip - Answers -✔✔ An unwanted piece of metal that is removed from a workpiece.
Chips are formed when a tool cuts or grinds metal.
chip auger - Answers -✔✔ A rotating shaft with a helical blade that removes chips from
the machine. The chips auger's automated removal of chips from the point of operation
reduces the risk of injury because operators do not need to remove the chips by hand.
chip guard - Answers -✔✔ A plastic shield that covers the point of operation. A chip
guard prevents flying chips from contacting the operator.
chuck - Answers -✔✔ A device that holds a workpiece in place as it rotates on a lathe
or other machine. The chuck commonly has two, three, or four jaws that can be
adjusted to fit various workpieces.
chuck key - Answers -✔✔ A device used to loosen or tighten a chuck. A chuck key
must be removed from the chuck before starting a machine.
, clamps - Answers -✔✔ A workholding device that grips and holds a workpiece in place.
Clamps can be used when machining with a mill.
CNC machines - Answers -✔✔ computer numerical control machine. A machine tool
controlled by a computer running programs driven by numerical data. Most CNC
machines are enclosed.
combustible - Answers -✔✔ Capable of igniting and burning. Combustible liquids
require special storage and labeling.
computer numerical control machine - Answers -✔✔ CNC machine. A machine tool
controlled by a computer running programs driven by numerical data. Most CNC
machines are enclosed.
concentrate - Answers -✔✔ The chemical mixture that is diluted with water to create a
suitable cutting fluid. Concentrate must be checked regularly to ensure optimal cutting
fluid performance.
conveyor belt - Answers -✔✔ A moveable belt used in industry to transport materials
over a distance. For metal cutting safety purposes, conveyor belts help remove sharp
chips from a machine tool.
coolant - Answers -✔✔ A cutting fluid used to decrease the temperature of the tool and
the workpiece. Coolant can contain oil, water, or synthetics.
cover plate - Answers -✔✔ A hinged lid on a refractometer that covers the prism
surface. The cover plate is transparent to allow light into the device.
cutting fluid - Answers -✔✔ A liquid used during cutting operations to reduce heat and
friction between the cutting tool and the workpiece. Cutting fluid may contain oil or other
flammable liquids and is a potential fire hazard if disposed of improperly.
cutting tool - Answers -✔✔ A tool with one or more cutting edges designed to engage a
workpiece and remove material in the form of chips. Cutting tools ideally exhibit
excellent hardness, toughness, and wear resistance.
deburring - Answers -✔✔ Removing sharp projections left on a workpiece after a
machining or grinding operation. Deburring is often done by hand or by robot using
coated abrasives.
drill - Answers -✔✔ A multi-point cutting tool used to make round holes. In drilling,
either the workpiece is held stationary while the drill rotates to cut a hole to a certain
depth, or the drill is held stationary while the workpiece rotates.
Questions Correct Answers
air nozzle - Answers -✔✔ A device used to spray air. Air nozzles can be used by an
operator to remove chips from inside a CNC machine.
bore - Answers -✔✔ A single-point cutting tool used to enlarge a preexisting hole.
Boring, which can be performed on either a lathe or a mill, helps create a concentric
hole that meets tight tolerances.
Brix scale - Answers -✔✔ A system used for measuring the concentration of a
substance that has been mixed with water. The Brix scale is used in conjunction with a
refractometer to determine the concentration of a fluid.
burr - Answers -✔✔ A rough edge remaining on material, such as metal, after it has
been machined. Burrs must be removed during finishing processes to improve the
functionality and appearance of a part.
calibration - Answers -✔✔ The comparison and adjustment of a device with unknown
accuracy to a device with a known, accurate standard. Calibration eliminates any
variation in the device being checked.
carriage - Answers -✔✔ The section of the lathe that slides back and forth
longitudinally along the ways. The carriage supports the cross-slide and cutting tool.
chip - Answers -✔✔ An unwanted piece of metal that is removed from a workpiece.
Chips are formed when a tool cuts or grinds metal.
chip auger - Answers -✔✔ A rotating shaft with a helical blade that removes chips from
the machine. The chips auger's automated removal of chips from the point of operation
reduces the risk of injury because operators do not need to remove the chips by hand.
chip guard - Answers -✔✔ A plastic shield that covers the point of operation. A chip
guard prevents flying chips from contacting the operator.
chuck - Answers -✔✔ A device that holds a workpiece in place as it rotates on a lathe
or other machine. The chuck commonly has two, three, or four jaws that can be
adjusted to fit various workpieces.
chuck key - Answers -✔✔ A device used to loosen or tighten a chuck. A chuck key
must be removed from the chuck before starting a machine.
, clamps - Answers -✔✔ A workholding device that grips and holds a workpiece in place.
Clamps can be used when machining with a mill.
CNC machines - Answers -✔✔ computer numerical control machine. A machine tool
controlled by a computer running programs driven by numerical data. Most CNC
machines are enclosed.
combustible - Answers -✔✔ Capable of igniting and burning. Combustible liquids
require special storage and labeling.
computer numerical control machine - Answers -✔✔ CNC machine. A machine tool
controlled by a computer running programs driven by numerical data. Most CNC
machines are enclosed.
concentrate - Answers -✔✔ The chemical mixture that is diluted with water to create a
suitable cutting fluid. Concentrate must be checked regularly to ensure optimal cutting
fluid performance.
conveyor belt - Answers -✔✔ A moveable belt used in industry to transport materials
over a distance. For metal cutting safety purposes, conveyor belts help remove sharp
chips from a machine tool.
coolant - Answers -✔✔ A cutting fluid used to decrease the temperature of the tool and
the workpiece. Coolant can contain oil, water, or synthetics.
cover plate - Answers -✔✔ A hinged lid on a refractometer that covers the prism
surface. The cover plate is transparent to allow light into the device.
cutting fluid - Answers -✔✔ A liquid used during cutting operations to reduce heat and
friction between the cutting tool and the workpiece. Cutting fluid may contain oil or other
flammable liquids and is a potential fire hazard if disposed of improperly.
cutting tool - Answers -✔✔ A tool with one or more cutting edges designed to engage a
workpiece and remove material in the form of chips. Cutting tools ideally exhibit
excellent hardness, toughness, and wear resistance.
deburring - Answers -✔✔ Removing sharp projections left on a workpiece after a
machining or grinding operation. Deburring is often done by hand or by robot using
coated abrasives.
drill - Answers -✔✔ A multi-point cutting tool used to make round holes. In drilling,
either the workpiece is held stationary while the drill rotates to cut a hole to a certain
depth, or the drill is held stationary while the workpiece rotates.
