Will “Precision Machinist” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

65% Chance of Automation

“Precision Machinist” 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 Machinist”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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