Will “Instrument Maker and Repairer” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

65% Chance of Automation

“Instrument Maker and Repairer” 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 and Repairer”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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