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MACHINISTS
Occupation Description
Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments. Include 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, shop mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.
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Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The most important knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are listed for Machinists.
Knowledge:
- 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.
- Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Skills:
- Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
- Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
- 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.
Abilities:
- Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Source: Occupational Information Network: Machinists.
Tasks and Activities
Occupation specific tasks and the most important generalized work activities are listed for Machinists.
Occupation Specific Tasks:
- Advise clients about the materials being used for finished products.
- Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, and materials onto machines.
- Calculate dimensions and tolerances using knowledge of mathematics and instruments such as micrometers and vernier calipers.
- Check work pieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated and cooled.
- Clean and lubricate machines, tools, and equipment to remove grease, rust, stains, and foreign matter.
- Confer with engineering, supervisory, and manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information.
- Confer with numerical control programmers to check and ensure that new programs or machinery will function properly, and that output will meet specifications.
- Design fixtures, tooling, and experimental parts to meet special engineering needs.
- Dismantle machines or equipment, using hand tools and power tools, to examine parts for defects and replace defective parts where needed.
- Establish work procedures for fabricating new structural products, using a variety of metalworking machines.
- Evaluate experimental procedures, and recommend changes or modifications for improved efficiency and adaptability to setup and production.
- Fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools.
- Install experimental parts and assemblies such as hydraulic systems, electrical wiring, lubricants, and batteries into machines and mechanisms.
- Install repaired parts into equipment, or install new equipment.
- Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts.
- Machine parts to specifications using machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
- Maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, shop mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.
- Measure, examine, and test completed units to detect defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments such as micrometers.
- Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
- Observe and listen to operating machines or equipment to diagnose machine malfunctions and to determine need for adjustments or repairs.
- Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency.
- Position and fasten work pieces.
- Prepare working sketches for the illustration of product appearance.
- Program computers and electronic instruments such as numerically controlled machine tools.
- Select the appropriate tools, machines, and materials to be used in preparation of machinery work.
- Set controls to regulate machining, or enter commands to retrieve, input, or edit computerized machine control media.
- Set up and operate metalworking, brazing, heat-treating, welding, and cutting equipment.
- Set up, adjust, and operate all of the basic machine tools and many specialized or advanced variation tools to perform precision machining operations.
- Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, and engineering information to determine methods and sequences of operations needed to fabricate products, and determine product dimensions and tolerances.
- Support metalworking projects from planning and fabrication through assembly, inspection, and testing, using knowledge of machine functions, metal properties and mathematics.
- Test experimental models under simulated operating conditions for such purposes as development, standardization, and feasibility of design.
Generalized 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.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Detailed Work Activities:
- adjust production equipment/machinery setup
- advise clients or customers
- confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel
- design tools or mechanical devices
- determine tasks needed to complete machined products
- examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
- fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
- follow statistical process control procedures
- identify base metals for welding
- install equipment or attachments on machinery or related structures
- lay out machining, welding or precision assembly projects
- load or unload material or workpiece into machinery
- maintain or repair industrial or related equipment/machinery
- maintain welding machines or equipment
- monitor production machinery/equipment operation to detect problems
- move or fit heavy objects
- operate metal or plastic fabricating equipment/machinery
- perform safety inspections in manufacturing or industrial setting
- program computer numerical controlled machines
- read blueprints
- read specifications
- read technical drawings
- recognize characteristics of alloys
- recognize characteristics of metals
- set up and operate variety of machine tools
- set up computer numerical control machines
- set up production equipment or machinery
- solve machine tool problems
- understand machine setup instructions
- understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
- use arc welding equipment
- use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
- use hand or power tools
- use knowledge of fire suppression methods in industrial emergencies
- use knowledge of metric system
- use machining practices
- use non-destructive test equipment
- use precision measuring tools or equipment
- use robotics systems technology
- use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
- use x-ray or magnetic inspection techniques
- weld together metal parts, components, or structures
Source: Occupational Information Network: Machinists.
Tools and Technology
Machinists View Detailed Report
Tools:
- Calipers - Calipers, Dial calipers, Hermaphrodite calipers, Inside spring calipers, Outside spring calipers
- Gauges or inspection fixtures - Angle plates, Dial indicators, Planer gauges, Radius gauges, Ring gauges
- Hammers - Ball peen hammers, Brass hammers, Composition hammers, Machinists' hammers, Sledgehammers
- Lathes - Breaker lathes, Computerized numerical control CNC turning lathes, Drum lathes, Engine lathes, Flywheel lathes
- Milling cutters - 3-axis computerized numerical control CNC machines, Bridgeport mills, Computerized numerical control CNC machining centers, Horizontal mills, Knee mills
Technology:
- Analytical or scientific software - Armchair Machinist software, CNC Consulting Machinists' Calculator, EditCNC software, Kentech Kipware Software, Kentech Trig Kalculator
- Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD software, Computer aided design CAD software
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software - CNC Mastercam, CNC TurboCAD/CAM, Computer aided manufacturing CAM software, JETCAM software
- Project management software - Kentech Kipware PLN, Kentech Kipware QTE, Kentech Kipware TRK
- Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
Source: Occupational Information Network: Machinists.
Related Occupation Profiles
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Mechanical Engineering Technicians
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Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Web Resources
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