What type of machining tool is a drill press designed to do?

A drill press is specifically engineered to create round holes in a workpiece by applying rotational motion and penetrating the surface with a drill bit. The design allows for controlled depth and precision while drilling, making it a fundamental tool in both machine shops and woodworking environments.

The drill press utilizes a stationary platform to secure the workpiece, providing stability during the drilling process. This reduces the likelihood of errors that can occur with hand-held drills, such as wandering or misalignment.

Other tools mentioned, such as lathes or band saws, serve different fundamental purposes. Lathes are primarily used for shaping materials by rotating them against a cutting tool, while band saws are designed to make straight or curved cuts through material rather than creating holes. Additionally, grinding tools are focused on finishing surfaces to meet specific tolerances rather than cutting into them to make holes. Therefore, option C accurately identifies the primary function of a drill press within the broader context of machining tools.