Will “Instrument Maker” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

65% Chance of Automation

“Instrument Maker” will maybe be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #358 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 51-4041.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 43,220.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 20.00
Currently, there are 391,120 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Machinists”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Instrument Maker”

Check work pieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated or cooled.
Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.
Prepare working sketches for the illustration of product appearance.
Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, or engineering information to determine methods or sequences of operations needed to fabricate products.
Advise clients about the materials being used for finished products.
Set up or operate metalworking, brazing, heat-treating, welding, or cutting equipment.
Confer with numerical control programmers to check and ensure that new programs or machinery will function properly and that output will meet specifications.
Install repaired parts into equipment or install new equipment.
Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency.
Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
Evaluate machining procedures and recommend changes or modifications for improved efficiency or adaptability.
Fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools.
Dismantle machines or equipment, using hand tools or power tools to examine parts for defects and replace defective parts where needed.
Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations.
Diagnose machine tool malfunctions to determine need for adjustments or repairs.
Separate scrap waste and related materials for reuse, recycling, or disposal.
Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
Maintain machine tools in proper operational condition.
Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, or materials onto machines.
Dispose of scrap or waste material in accordance with company policies and environmental regulations.
Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts.
Support metalworking projects from planning and fabrication through assembly, inspection, and testing, using knowledge of machine functions, metal properties and mathematics.
Confer with engineering, supervisory, or manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information.
Test experimental models under simulated operating conditions for purposes such as development, standardization, or feasibility of design.
Establish work procedures for fabricating new structural products, using a variety of metalworking machines.
Design fixtures, tooling, or experimental parts to meet special engineering needs.
Install experimental parts or assemblies, such as hydraulic systems, electrical wiring, lubricants, or batteries into machines or mechanisms.
Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.

Related Technology & Tools

Magnetic retrievers
Sine bars
Heat-treating equipment
Cold saws
Planers
Surface gauges
Aviation snips
Reamers
Hacksaws
Computerized numerical control CNC turning lathes
Machine shop rigging equipment
Rubber mallets
Spirit levels
Desktop computers
Vernier bevel protractors
V blocks
Radial drill presses
Metal cutting taps
Vernier calipers
Pry bars
Crankshaft grinders
Multi-axis computerized numerical control CNC machines
Inside micrometers
Outside spring calipers
Tube benders
Milling machines
Oxyacetylene welding equipment
Undercut tools
Combination pliers
Hermaphrodite calipers
Hand clamps
Horizontal lathes
Composition hammers
Pipe threaders
Gauges
Screwdrivers
Horizontal mills
Threading machines
Combination drills
Thread gauges
Metal spray equipment
Arbor presses
Staging equipment
Vertical turret lathes VTL
Drum lathes
Cold chisels
Adjustable wrenches
Ladders
Full face shields
Flywheel lathes
Steel wedges
Dial calipers
Grinding wheel arbors
Workshop cranes
Prick punches
Scribers
Flat files
Parallel blocks
Welding lenses
Micrometers
Half-round files
Grinding dogs
Steel rules
Power sanders
Sensitive drill presses
Shears
Handheld welders
Lathes
Valve grinding machines
Tungsten inert gas TIG welding equipment
Horizontal boring bars
Platforms
Plasma welders
Portable welding equipment
Phillips head screwdrivers
Outside micrometers
Brake presses
Engine lathes
Forklifts
Brazing equipment
Shielded arc welding tools
Beverly shears
Wedges
Hand saws
Single-cut mill saw files
Sledgehammers
Side cutting pliers
Swaging tools
Pipe wrenches
Milling angle form cutters
Metal inert gas MIG welders
Utility knives
Turret lathes
Laser printers
Jointers
Combination wrenches
Radius gauges
Boring tools
Center drills
Breaker lathes
Metal shears
Angled feeler gauges
3-axis computerized numerical control CNC machines
Vertical milling machines
Shapers
Hex wrenches
Channel lock pliers
Chucks
Cylindrical grinders
Feeler gauges
Telescoping gauges
Calipers
Anvils
Cylinder honers
Hex keys
Machinists' squares
Shims
Ratchet sets
Putty knives
Power hacksaws
Personal computers
Square chisels
Radial drills
Hydraulic presses
Edge finders
Grinders
Spindle blade screwdrivers
Torches
Cutoff saws
Power drills
Height gauges
Chippers
Sandblasters
Milling vises
Tongs
Vernier gear tooth calipers
Marking blocks
Personal digital assistants PDA
Pillar drill machines
Deburring tools
Boring bars
Chamfer tools
Inside spring calipers
Centrifugal spin casters
Brass hammers
Turning lathes
Machinists' hammers
Surface grinding machines
Socket wrench sets
Welding shields
Planer gauges
Knee mills
Angle plates
Sharpening equipment
Ball peen hammers
Punches
Dial indicators
Screw pitch gauges
Buffers
Broachers
Soldering equipment
Bandsaws
Binocular light compound microscopes
Ring gauges
Vernier height gauges
Resurfacing machines
Computerized numerical control CNC machining centers
Needlenose pliers

EditCNC
Microsoft Outlook
CNC TurboCAD/CAM
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
JETCAM
Computer aided design CAD software
Autodesk AutoCAD
Kentech Kipware Studio
Armchair Machinist software
Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
Microsoft Office
Kentech Trig Kalculator
ERP software
CCG Systems FASTER
CNC Consulting Machinists' Calculator
CNC Mastercam