Flange
Flange turns up in 2 fields: railroad, metallurgy. Here is what it means to the people in each one.
Flange in railroad
The projecting inner edge of a rail wheel that keeps the vehicle on the track.
The raised inner lip on the circumference of a steel wheel that prevents it from slipping off the railhead. Flanges guide the wheelset through curves and switches, bearing lateral forces while the wheel tread carries the vertical weight.
"We've got a sharp flange on the trailing axle of that lead motor."
Flange in metallurgy
To bend the edge of a sheet metal part or pipe to form a projecting rim for attachment or stiffening.
To mechanically form a continuous projecting edge on a metal component. In sheet metal work, this involves bending the perimeter of a panel at an angle to increase its rigidity or to create a mating surface for welding or riveting. The operation requires controlling the material to prevent tearing on outside curves or wrinkling on inside curves.
"We need to flange the edges of these access panels so they sit flush against the main housing."