Machinists

Also called: Aircraft Machinist, Auto Machinist, Automotive Machinist, Carbide Operator, CNC Lathe Machinist (Computer Numeric Controlled Lathe Machinist)

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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.

Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments, such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
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.
Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations.
Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, or engineering information to determine methods or sequences of operations needed to fabricate products.
Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
Maintain machine tools in proper operational condition.
Fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools.
Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, or materials onto machines.
Confer with numerical control programmers to check and ensure that new programs or machinery will function properly and that output will meet specifications.
Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency.
Evaluate machining procedures and recommend changes or modifications for improved efficiency or adaptability.
Diagnose machine tool malfunctions to determine need for adjustments or repairs.
Design fixtures, tooling, or experimental parts to meet special engineering needs.
Dispose of scrap or waste material in accordance with company policies and environmental regulations.
Confer with engineering, supervisory, or manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information.
Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts.
Separate scrap waste and related materials for reuse, recycling, or disposal.
Check work pieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated or cooled.
Support metalworking projects from planning and fabrication through assembly, inspection, and testing, using knowledge of machine functions, metal properties, and mathematics.
Install repaired parts into equipment or install new equipment.
Dismantle machines or equipment, using hand tools or power tools to examine parts for defects and replace defective parts where needed.
Test experimental models under simulated operating conditions, for purposes such as development, standardization, or feasibility of design.
Set up or operate metalworking, brazing, heat-treating, welding, or cutting equipment.
Prepare working sketches for the illustration of product appearance.
Establish work procedures for fabricating new structural products, using a variety of metalworking machines.
Install experimental parts or assemblies, such as hydraulic systems, electrical wiring, lubricants, or batteries into machines or mechanisms.
Advise clients about the materials being used for finished products.

Work Context

Work Context information for this career will be available soon.

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 Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Detailed Work Activities

Dispose of trash or waste materials.
Sort recyclable materials.
Calculate dimensions of workpieces, products, or equipment.
Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
Maintain production or processing equipment.

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.

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.

Operation Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

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.

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.

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.

Control Precision

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Selective Attention

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Multilimb Coordination

The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

Rate Control

The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.

Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Visualization

The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Reaction Time

The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Category Flexibility

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

Flexibility of Closure

The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

Perceptual Speed

The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.

Speech Clarity