Processes and techniques

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Milling, laser cutting and routing are examples of subtractive machining because it is the removal of materials like plastic, wood and metal from a block.

Milling: Milling is the machining process of using rotary cutters to remove material from a workpiece by advancing (or feeding) in a direction at an angle with the axis of the tool. Milling is a cutting process that uses a milling cutter to remove material from the surface of a workpiece. The milling cutter is a rotary cutting tool, often with multiple cutting points.

Routing: Routing is a high speed process of cutting, trimming, and shaping wood, metal, plastic, and a variety of other materials. Routing and milling are conceptually similar, and end mills can be used in routers, but routing wood is different from milling metal in terms of the mechanics involved.

Laser cutting: Laser cutting is a technology that uses a laser to cut materials, and is typically used for industrial manufacturing applications, but is also starting to be used by schools, small businesses, and hobbyists. Laser cutting works by directing the output of a high-power laser most commonly through optics. The laser optics and CNC (computer numerical control) are used to direct the material or the laser beam generated. Laser cutters work with softwares' such 2D Design, Sketchup, Auto CAD and SmartCarve.