Occasionally you can find it tough to explain to your friends at a backyard BBQ what field machining truly is. Usually it starts with, “well, do you know what a machine shop does?… okay take that and make it portable”… or “We are like glorified industrial plumbers.” We all have a slightly different definition when asked on the spot. We asked ChatGPT to define Field Machining and this is what it came up with. Field machining refers to the process of performing machining operations on-site at the location where the equipment or machinery is installed or in use, rather than removing it from its location and taking it to a machine shop. This allows for repairs, modifications, or other machining operations to be performed without the need for costly and time-consuming disassembly and transportation. Field machining services are typically provided by specialized contractors who have the equipment and expertise to perform a wide range of machining operations in the field, including drilling, milling, turning, and grinding. Field machining is commonly used in industries such as oil and gas, power generation, mining, and marine, where the equipment is often too large or too critical to be removed from its location for repairs or maintenance. Chat GPT Explains Field Machining Next time you’re at that backyard BBQ and someone asks you “What is Field Machining“, you’ve always got an AI robot on your side.