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Reaming: Summary
Reaming is a process which slightly enlarges a pre-existing hole to a tightly toleranced diameter. A reamer is similar to a mill bit in that it has several cutting edges arranged around a central shaft, as shown below. Because of the delicate nature of the operation and since little material is removed, reaming can be done by hand. Reaming is most accurate for axially symmetric parts produced and reamed on a lathe.
 

 


 
Detailed Nomenclature for a Reamer
A more complete listing of reamer nomenclature is provided below.

 


 
Reamed Part Design
Reamed holes should not intersect with drilled holes, so the configuration below should NOT be implemented:



 
As with a drilled hole, clearance for chips is needed at the bottom of a reamed hole. This is illustrated below:

 


 
Reaming should not be relied upon to correct the location or alignment of a hole. Its primary purpose is to fine-tune the diameter of the hole.

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CNC Machining Design Guide

Optimize your designs, reduce machining time, and lower your costs.

STEM Career Outlook

Wages, employment opportunities, and growth projections for STEM jobs.

Selecting the Right 3D Printer

Discover how to choose the right 3D printer for your needs and the key performance attributes to consider.

Essentials of Manufacturing

Information, coverage of important developments and expert commentary in manufacturing.