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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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