3. Overview of different cutting techniques and their applications

A few definitions relating to cutting

Cutting is a mechanical operation to reduce dimensions:

• which is done with a tool, often called a cutting tool;

• which divides solid materials according to a precise geometry, to obtain smaller pieces, or to separate different parts.

Certain techniques lead to operations similar to cutting, but through actions other than mechanical ones. This is particularly true of steam, flame and chemical peeling operations, whose complex 3D cutting trajectories cannot be mechanized.

The notion of geometry control makes it possible to differentiate cutting from grinding, which enables dimensional reduction but on a small scale with uncontrolled breaking trajectories, and from...