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, where higher means 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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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