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

61% Chance of Automation

“Welding Machine Operator” will maybe be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #342 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, operate, or tend welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies. Includes workers who operate laser cutters or laser-beam machines.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 51-4122.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 38,380.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 18.00
Currently, there are 46,920 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Welding Machine Operator”

Devise or build fixtures or jigs used to hold parts in place during welding, brazing, or soldering.
Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, or scribes.
Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.
Set dials and timing controls to regulate electrical current, gas flow pressure, heating or cooling cycles, or shut-off.
Give directions to other workers regarding machine set-up and use.
Fill hoppers and position spouts to direct flow of flux or manually brush flux onto seams of workpieces.
Compute and record settings for new work, applying knowledge of metal properties, principles of welding, and shop mathematics.
Select, position, align, and bolt jigs, holding fixtures, guides, or stops onto machines, using measuring instruments and hand tools.
Observe meters, gauges, or machine operations to ensure that soldering or brazing processes meet specifications.
Anneal finished workpieces to relieve internal stress.
Transfer components, metal products, or assemblies, using moving equipment.
Add chemicals or materials to workpieces or machines to facilitate bonding or to cool workpieces.
Conduct trial runs before welding, soldering, or brazing and make necessary adjustments to equipment.
Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.
Load or feed workpieces into welding machines to join or bond components.
Tend auxiliary equipment used in welding processes.
Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.
Remove completed workpieces or parts from machinery, using hand tools.
Start, monitor, and adjust robotic welding production lines.
Immerse completed workpieces into water or acid baths to cool and clean components.
Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines.
Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements as necessary.
Dress electrodes, using tip dressers, files, emery cloths, or dressing wheels.
Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records.
Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.
Clean, lubricate, maintain, and adjust equipment to maintain efficient operation, using air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools.
Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills.
Record operational information on specified production reports.
Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.

Related Technology & Tools

Portable welding machines
Laser-beam machines
Tongs
Hydraulic booms
Brazing robots
Resistance welding guns
Hydraulic winches
Arc welding equipment
Workpiece positioning jigs
Magnifiers
Gas welding torches
Wire brushes
Welding electrodes
Resistance welding machines
Brazing machines
Bench vises
Walk-behind lift trucks
Welding torch tips
Diffusion-welding machines
Vise grip pliers
Fillet weld gauges
Side cutting pliers
Soldering machines
Center punches
Slip joint pliers
Micrometers
Safety gloves
Heating furnaces
Welding tip dressers
Vernier micrometers
Face masks
Hand scrapers
Layout squares
Tungsten inert gas TIG welding equipment
Undercut gauges
Welding robots
Product loading equipment
Welding helmets
Adjustable widemouth pliers
Power hoists
Laser cutters
Rulers
C clamps
Soldering robots
Desktop computers
Computerized numerical control CNC oxy-fuel systems
Power grinders
Single-cut mill saw files
Welding tip cleaning files
Cold-welding machines
Outside micrometer calipers
Chipping hammers
Measuring tapes
Dial calipers
Spot welding guns
Ball peen hammers
Safety goggles
Claw hammers
Hand clamps

Word processing software
Data entry software
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Word
Email software
Tool center point TCP setting software