Describes phenomena, treatments, or states that take place once a mechanical operation has finished. In manufacturing and assembly, this often refers to material settling, thermal equalization, or stress relaxation that only begins when active physical manipulation stops. Engineers monitor these effects to ensure dimensional stability before final inspection or operation.
Heard on the job
Give the assembly an hour for postmechanical settling before you run the final alignment check.
Insider tip
Never measure tight tolerances immediately after heavy machining. Postmechanical thermal and stress relaxation will often change the final dimensions.