Will “Optical Laboratory Mechanic” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

97% Chance of Automation

“Optical Laboratory Mechanic” will almost certainly be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #656 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

Cut, grind, and polish eyeglasses, contact lenses, or other precision optical elements. Assemble and mount lenses into frames or process other optical elements. Includes precision lens polishers or grinders, centerer-edgers, and lens mounters.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 51-9083.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 34,220.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 16.00
Currently, there are 28,570 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Optical Laboratory Mechanic”

Select lens blanks, molds, tools, and polishing or grinding wheels, according to production specifications.
Mount and secure lens blanks or optical lenses in holding tools or chucks of cutting, polishing, grinding, or coating machines.
Adjust lenses and frames to correct alignment.
Lay out lenses and trace lens outlines on glass, using templates.
Set up machines to polish, bevel, edge, or grind lenses, flats, blanks, or other precision optical elements.
Repair broken parts, using precision hand tools and soldering irons.
Immerse eyeglass frames in solutions to harden, soften, or dye frames.
Shape lenses appropriately so that they can be inserted into frames.
Examine prescriptions, work orders, or broken or used eyeglasses to determine specifications for lenses, contact lenses, or other optical elements.
Control equipment that coats lenses to alter their reflective qualities.
Inspect, weigh, and measure mounted or unmounted lenses after completion to verify alignment and conformance to specifications, using precision instruments.
Inspect lens blanks to detect flaws, verify smoothness of surface, and ensure thickness of coating on lenses.
Mount, secure, and align finished lenses in frames or optical assemblies, using precision hand tools.
Position and adjust cutting tools to specified curvature, dimensions, and depth of cut.
Set dials and start machines to polish lenses or hold lenses against rotating wheels to polish them manually.
Remove lenses from molds and separate lenses in containers for further processing or storage.
Clean finished lenses and eyeglasses, using cloths and solvents.
Assemble eyeglass frames and attach shields, nose pads, and temple pieces, using pliers, screwdrivers, and drills.

Related Technology & Tools

Soldering torches
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Soldering irons
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Bench polishers
Pupilometers
Rimless assembly measuring tools
Prescription lens aligners
Optical tweezers
Lens polishing machines
Trial lens sets
Pupillary distance rulers
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Frame adjusting pliers
Lab snips
Pad removing tweezers
Lens groovers
Finger-piece pliers
Potential acuity meters PAM
Mini power drills
Edge polishers
Lens grinding machines
Self-closing tweezers
Optical prisms
Spectrophotometers
Phillips screwdrivers
Mini screwdrivers
Chipping pliers
Lens sizing pliers
Frame shaping pliers
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Zylonite files
Argon lasers
Bent post pliers
Phoropters
Electric soldering kits
Sagitta gauges
Screw extracting pliers
Soldering clamps
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Pachymeters
Stereopsis testers
Angling pliers
Exophthalometers
Hex nut wrenches
Flat nose pliers
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pH testers
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Cutting pliers
Lens cutting machines
Ball cutters
Wheel cutters
Drill presses
Lens thickness calipers
Riveting hammers
Specular microscopes
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Lensometers
Deblocking pliers
Ultrasonic cleaners
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3-way screwdrivers
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Optical chain nose pliers

Microsoft Word
Electronic medical record EMR software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Eyeglass design software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Outlook