What is a common use for the milling machine?

The milling machine is primarily used for cutting and shaping materials by feeding workpieces against a rotating cutter. This process allows for the removal of material to create precise dimensions, angles, and shapes in a variety of materials, typically metals. The rotating cutter performs the cutting action, which can be adjusted in various directions on multiple axes, enabling complex geometries to be produced.

In contrast, welding involves joining materials through the application of heat, which is not a function of the milling machine. Cutting threads is a specific operation that typically would be done with a lathe or a tapping machine rather than a milling machine. Grinding precision parts is another separate process that involves using an abrasive wheel to achieve a smooth finish or precise dimensions and is usually done on a dedicated grinding machine. Thus, the function of a milling machine is directly aligned with the cutting action described in the correct answer.