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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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