Will “Mechanical Laboratory Technician” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

65% Chance of Automation

“Mechanical Laboratory Technician” 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 “Mechanical Laboratory Technician”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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