Preset
Preset turns up in 2 fields: shop slang, electronics. Here is what it means to the people in each one.
Preset in shop slang
A pre-configured machine setting or tool offset loaded before a job begins.
A saved configuration in a digital interface or a physical alignment block used to establish baseline parameters. Operators rely on these saved values to quickly set up recurring jobs without having to manually dial in speeds, feeds, or dimensions every time.
"Just load the preset for the aluminum stock and hit cycle start."
Preset in electronics
A small variable resistor designed to be adjusted once during manufacturing or calibration.
A preset is a miniature potentiometer mounted directly on a printed circuit board. Unlike a standard volume knob meant for the end user, a preset is adjusted with a small screwdriver by a technician to calibrate a circuit, set a bias current, or tune a filter. Once set, it is usually left alone or sealed with a drop of glue.
"Tweak the bias preset until you read exactly 50 milliamps across the emitter resistor."