Will “Precision Machine Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

65% Chance of Automation

“Precision Machine Operator” 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 Machine Operator”

Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts.
Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
Diagnose machine tool malfunctions to determine need for adjustments or repairs.
Set up or operate metalworking, brazing, heat-treating, welding, or cutting equipment.
Maintain machine tools in proper operational condition.
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.
Establish work procedures for fabricating new structural products, using a variety of metalworking machines.
Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency.
Advise clients about the materials being used for finished products.
Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
Dismantle machines or equipment, using hand tools or power tools to examine parts for defects and replace defective parts where needed.
Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, or materials onto machines.
Check work pieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated or cooled.
Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
Confer with numerical control programmers to check and ensure that new programs or machinery will function properly and that output will meet specifications.
Prepare working sketches for the illustration of product appearance.
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.
Dispose of scrap or waste material in accordance with company policies and environmental regulations.
Fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools.
Install repaired parts into equipment or install new equipment.
Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
Design fixtures, tooling, or experimental parts to meet special engineering needs.
Test experimental models under simulated operating conditions for purposes such as development, standardization, or feasibility of design.
Separate scrap waste and related materials for reuse, recycling, or disposal.
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.
Support metalworking projects from planning and fabrication through assembly, inspection, and testing, using knowledge of machine functions, metal properties and mathematics.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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