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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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