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”

Test experimental models under simulated operating conditions for purposes such as development, standardization, or feasibility of design.
Fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools.
Install repaired parts into equipment or install new equipment.
Diagnose machine tool malfunctions to determine need for adjustments or repairs.
Install experimental parts or assemblies, such as hydraulic systems, electrical wiring, lubricants, or batteries into machines or mechanisms.
Dismantle machines or equipment, using hand tools or power tools to examine parts for defects and replace defective parts where needed.
Confer with engineering, supervisory, or manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information.
Prepare working sketches for the illustration of product appearance.
Design fixtures, tooling, or experimental parts to meet special engineering needs.
Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.
Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
Set up or operate metalworking, brazing, heat-treating, welding, or cutting equipment.
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.
Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency.
Check work pieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated or cooled.
Advise clients about the materials being used for finished products.
Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
Evaluate machining procedures and recommend changes or modifications for improved efficiency or adaptability.
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.
Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, or engineering information to determine methods or sequences of operations needed to fabricate products.
Confer with numerical control programmers to check and ensure that new programs or machinery will function properly and that output will meet specifications.
Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
Maintain machine tools in proper operational condition.
Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations.
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.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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