What type of manufacturing process involves removing material to create a part?

Subtractive manufacturing is the process that involves removing material from a solid block to create a part. This method typically uses tools like mills, lathes, and drills to cut away material until the desired shape, size, and surface finish of the part is achieved. It contrasts sharply with additive manufacturing, where material is added layer by layer to build up a part rather than removed from a larger piece.

In addition to the primary processes, subtractive manufacturing often allows for high precision and fine tolerances, making it suitable for applications that demand exact specifications. It is widely used in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and tooling, due to its efficiency in creating complex geometries and features.

The other types of manufacturing listed, such as transformative and composite manufacturing, either involve changing the state of the material without significant removal (like molding) or creating parts from a combination of materials rather than through a subtractive process. Thus, subtractive manufacturing stands out clearly as the correct choice for the question regarding the removal of material to create parts.