Machinists
Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. 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.
Sample of reported job titles:
CNC Machinist (Computer Numeric Controlled Machinist), CNC Machinist (Computer Numerically Controlled Machinist), Gear Machinist, Machine Repair Person, Machinist, Maintenance Machinist, Manual Lathe Machinist, Production Machinist, Tool Room Machinist
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
- 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.
- Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
- Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software:Armchair Machinist software,CNC Consulting Machinists' Calculator,Kentech Kipware Trig Kalculator
- Computer aided design CAD software:3D Printing software,Autodesk AutoCAD,Computer aided design CAD software,Dassault Systemes CATIA,Kentech Kipware Studio,OnShape,PTC Creo Parametric,Siemens NX,SolidCAM CAM software
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software:Autodesk Fusion 360,Autodesk HSMWorks,CNC Mastercam,Computer aided manufacturing CAM software,Dassault Systemes SolidWorks,GRZ Software MeshCAM,IMSI TurboCAD,JETCAM,OneCNC CAD/CAM,Vero Software SURFCAM
- Electronic mail software:Microsoft Outlook
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software:ERP software,JobBOSS,SAP business and customer relations management software
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes:Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials:Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events:Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings:Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Detailed Work Activities
- Advise others on ways to improve processes or products.
- Assemble electromechanical or hydraulic systems.
- Assemble machine tools, parts, or fixtures.
- Calculate dimensions of workpieces, products, or equipment.
- Conduct test runs of production equipment.
Work Context
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets:94% responded"Every day"
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls:89% responded"Continually or almost continually"
- Face-to-Face Discussions:78% responded"Every day"
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled:75% responded"Every day"
- Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment:69% responded"Extremely important"
Worker Requirements
Skills
- Operation and Control:Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Critical Thinking:Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Monitoring:Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Operations Monitoring:Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Knowledge
- Mathematics:Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Mechanical:Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
- Production and Processing:Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
- Design:Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- 36%High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
- 33%Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
- 17%Some College Courses
- 14%Less than a High School Diploma
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
- Arm-Hand Steadiness:The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
- Finger Dexterity:The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
- Manual Dexterity:The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
- Control Precision:The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
- Deductive Reasoning:The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Interests
- Realistic:Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
- Conventional:Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
- Investigative:Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Work Values
- Support:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
- Independence:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
- Working Conditions:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Independence:Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
- Analytical Thinking:Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
- Innovation:Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
More Information
Get yourself a new skill
In this Path
Track1
Analytical Skills
Track2
Microsoft Office Set
Microsoft Excel
This course is designed to take you from Zero to Hero on Excel, and make your accounting job and req...
Read moreFiltered AI
Microsoft Word
Word is not just for writing plain text; and this is why this course is here to guide you through ev...
Read moreIntellezy Learning