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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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