In the world of mechanical engineering and metalworking, clarity is key to efficiency. The standard provides a universal language for classifying manufacturing techniques, ensuring that engineers, designers, and manufacturers are always on the same page. The Six Main Groups of DIN 8580

: Combining two or more workpieces into a single assembly, such as welding, gluing, or screwing.

| Main Group | Code | Description | Examples | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | 2.x | Creating a solid body from shapeless material | Casting, additive manufacturing (3D printing), powder metallurgy | | Forming | 3.x | Plastic (permanent) deformation without adding/removing material | Forging, rolling, deep drawing, bending | | Separating | 4.x | Reducing the cohesion of material (removing chips) | Turning, milling, drilling, cutting, grinding | | Joining | 5.x | Permanently or detachably connecting parts | Welding, soldering, gluing, screwing, riveting | | Coating | 6.x | Applying a layer of material to a surface | Painting, plating, anodizing, vapor deposition | | Changing Material Properties | 7.x | Altering the internal structure without changing shape | Heat treating (annealing, tempering, hardening) |