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Career Details : Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

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Description

Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Tasks

  • Removes workpiece and template or model from machine.
  • Verifies alignment of workpiece on machine, using measuring instruments, such as rules, gauges, or calipers.
  • Positions and secures workpiece on machine, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
  • Turns valve to begin and regulate the flow of coolant on work area.
  • Verifies conformance of finished workpiece to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
  • Records production output.
  • Observes machine operation and adjusts controls to ensure conformance with specified tolerances.
  • Moves controls to set cutting specifications, position cutting tool, and workpiece in relation to each other, and start machine.
  • Selects and installs cutting tool, stylus, and other accessories according to specifications, using hand tools or power tools.
  • Moves cutter or material manually or by turning handwheel, or engages automatic feeding mechanism to mill workpiece to specifications.
  • Mounts attachments and other tools, such as pantograph, engraver, or router, to perform other operations, such as drilling or boring.
  • Makes templates or cutting tools.
  • Computes dimensions, tolerances, and angles of workpiece or machine according to specifications and knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
  • Sharpens dull tools, using bench grinder.
  • Selects cutting speed, feed rate, and depth of cut, applying knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
  • Studies blueprint, layout, sketch, or other specifications to determine materials needed, sequence of operations, dimensions, and tooling instructions.
  • Replaces worn tools, using hand tools.

    Related Careers

    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Degree of Automation
    • Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
    • Indoors
    • Consequence of Error
    • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
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