Will “Precision Instrument Maker” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

65% Chance of Automation

“Precision 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 “Precision Instrument Maker”

Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, or engineering information to determine methods or sequences of operations needed to fabricate products.
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.
Dismantle machines or equipment, using hand tools or power tools to examine parts for defects and replace defective parts where needed.
Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
Set up or operate metalworking, brazing, heat-treating, welding, or cutting equipment.
Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.
Dispose of scrap or waste material in accordance with company policies and environmental regulations.
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.
Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, or materials onto machines.
Establish work procedures for fabricating new structural products, using a variety of metalworking machines.
Install repaired parts into equipment or install new equipment.
Check work pieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated or cooled.
Maintain machine tools in proper operational condition.
Prepare working sketches for the illustration of product appearance.
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.
Advise clients about the materials being used for finished products.
Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
Separate scrap waste and related materials for reuse, recycling, or disposal.
Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency.
Confer with numerical control programmers to check and ensure that new programs or machinery will function properly and that output will meet specifications.
Install experimental parts or assemblies, such as hydraulic systems, electrical wiring, lubricants, or batteries into machines or mechanisms.
Fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools.
Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts.
Design fixtures, tooling, or experimental parts to meet special engineering needs.
Confer with engineering, supervisory, or manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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