Career Details :: Machinists
Description
Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments. 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, shop mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.
Experience
A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Tasks
- Calculates and sets controls to regulate machining, or enters commands to retrieve, input, or edit computerized machine control media.
- Studies sample parts, blueprints, drawings, and engineering information to determine methods and sequence of operations to fabricate product.
- Operates metalworking machine tools, such as lathe, milling machine, shaper, or grinder, to machine parts to specifications.
- Confers with engineering, supervisory, and manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information.
- Cleans, lubricates, and maintains machines, tools, and equipment to remove grease, rust, stains, and foreign matter.
- Assembles parts into completed units, using jigs, fixtures, hand tools, and power tools.
- Installs repaired part into equipment and operates equipment to verify operational efficiency.
- Fabricates, assembles, and modifies tooling, such as jigs, fixtures, templates, and molds or dies, to produce parts and assemblies.
- Lays out and verifies dimensions of parts, using precision measuring and marking instruments and knowledge of trigonometry.
- Installs experimental parts and assemblies, such as hydraulic systems, electrical wiring, lubricants, and batteries, into machines and mechanisms.
- Measures, examines, and tests completed units to detect defects and ensure conformance to specifications.
- Tests experimental models under simulated operating conditions for such purposes as development, standardization, and feasibility of design.
- Dismantles machine or equipment, using hand tools and power tools, to examine parts for defect or to remove defective parts.
- Establishes work procedures for fabricating new structural products, using variety of metalworking machines.
- Evaluates experimental procedures and recommends changes or modifications for efficiency and adaptability to setup and production.
- Observes and listens to operating machines or equipment to diagnose machine malfunction and determine need for adjustment or repair.
- Cuts and shapes sheet metal and heats and bends metal to specified shape.
- Designs fixtures, tooling, and experimental parts to meet special engineering needs.
- Selects, aligns, and secures holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, and materials onto machines.
- Operates brazing, heat-treating, and welding equipment to cut, solder, and braze metal.
Related Careers
- Aircraft Systems Assemblers, Precision
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
- Materials Inspectors
- Mechanical Engineering Technicians
- Mechanical Inspectors
- Millwrights
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
- Precision Devices Inspectors and Testers
- Welder-Fitters
Important Abilities
General Work Activities
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
- Repairing & Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
- Performing General Physical Activities
Important Skills
Frequent Work Context
- Degree of Automation
- Consequence of Error
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
- Indoors
Institutions Offering Related Majors
No institutions found.