Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Overview
SaveJob Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Examples
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
Set up, operate, or tend more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.
Yearly Salary
| High: | $59K |
| Median: | $37K |
| Low: | $26K |
Demand
Core Tasks
- Inspect workpieces for defects, and measure workpieces to determine accuracy of machine operation, using rules, templates, or other measuring instruments.
- Position, adjust, and secure stock material or workpieces against stops, on arbors, or in chucks, fixtures, or automatic feeding mechanisms, manually or using hoists.
- Read blueprints or job orders to determine product specifications and tooling instructions and to plan operational sequences.
- Select, install, and adjust alignment of drills, cutters, dies, guides, and holding devices, using templates, measuring instruments, and hand tools.
- Observe machine operation to detect workpiece defects or machine malfunctions, adjusting machines as necessary.
- Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, cutters, shears, borers, millers, grinders, presses, drills, or auxiliary machines, to make metallic and plastic workpieces.
- Measure and mark reference points and cutting lines on workpieces, using traced templates, compasses, and rules.
- Change worn machine accessories, such as cutting tools or brushes, using hand tools.
- Set machine stops or guides to specified lengths as indicated by scales, rules, or templates.
- Select the proper coolants and lubricants and start their flow.
- Perform minor machine maintenance, such as oiling or cleaning machines, dies, or workpieces, or adding coolant to machine reservoirs.
- Remove burrs, sharp edges, rust, or scale from workpieces, using files, hand grinders, wire brushes, or power tools.
- Compute data, such as gear dimensions or machine settings, applying knowledge of shop mathematics.
- Make minor electrical and mechanical repairs and adjustments to machines and notify supervisors when major service is required.
- Start machines and turn handwheels or valves to engage feeding, cooling, and lubricating mechanisms.
- Move controls or mount gears, cams, or templates in machines to set feed rates and cutting speeds, depths, and angles.
- Instruct other workers in machine set-up and operation.
- Write programs for computer numerical control (CNC) machines to cut metal and plastic materials.
- Record operational data, such as pressure readings, lengths of strokes, feed rates, or speeds.
- Align layout marks with dies or blades.
- Extract or lift jammed pieces from machines, using fingers, wire hooks, or lift bars.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Production and Processing
83%
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Mechanical
79%
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Mathematics
72%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
English Language
66%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Design
62%
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Education and Training
59%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Customer and Personal Service
56%
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Engineering and Technology
54%
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Computers and Electronics
51%
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Administration and Management
50%
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Top 10 Skills
Operations Monitoring
80%
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Quality Control Analysis
68%
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Equipment Maintenance
63%
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Judgment and Decision Making
63%
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring
63%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operation and Control
63%
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Active Listening
60%
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving
60%
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Critical Thinking
60%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
60%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Top 10 Abilities
Arm-Hand Steadiness
78%
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Control Precision
78%
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Near Vision
78%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Manual Dexterity
75%
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Problem Sensitivity
73%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
Visualization
68%
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Information Ordering
65%
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Far Vision
63%
The ability to see details at a distance.
Finger Dexterity
63%
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Multilimb Coordination
63%
The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Top 10 Work Activities
Getting Information
89%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Controlling Machines and Processes
88%
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
88%
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
88%
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
87%
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
87%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
86%
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Processing Information
85%
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Handling and Moving Objects
84%
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
83%
Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Detailed Work Activities
- Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
- Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
- Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
- Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
- Select production equipment according to product specifications.
- Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
- Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications.
- Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
- Operate grinding equipment.
- Operate cutting equipment.
- Replace worn equipment components.
- Set equipment guides, stops, spacers, or other fixtures.
- Select production input materials.
- Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
- Smooth metal surfaces or edges.
- Clean production equipment.
- Maintain production or processing equipment.
- Lubricate production equipment.
- Repair production equipment or tools.
- Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
- Calculate dimensions of workpieces, products, or equipment.
- Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products.
- Adjust equipment controls to regulate coolant flow.
- Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of water, cleaning solutions, or other liquids.
- Instruct workers to use equipment or perform technical procedures.
- Record operational or production data.
- Clear equipment jams.
- Measure materials to mark reference points, cutting lines, or other indicators.
- Program equipment to perform production tasks.
- Write computer programming code.
- Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly.
Education
Interests
Realistic
100%
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
Conventional
66%
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Investigative
31%
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
Artistic
15%
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.
Enterprising
15%
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
Social
15%
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Work Values
Support
72%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Relationships
48%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Working Conditions
41%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Independence
39%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Achievement
29%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition
29%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.