Will “Machine Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

61% Chance of Automation

“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 “Machine Operator”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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