Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.

Also Known As:

CNC Machine Setter (Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Setter) Cell Technician Fabrication Set-Up Person Injection Molding Technician Machine Operator Machine Technician Mold Setter Production Operator Shear Operator Tooling Set-Up Person

Wages

Hourly

Annual wages for Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in United States

Job Outlook Below Average

New job opportunities are less likely in the future

United States 2034 Projected Employment

130,300

-1% Change From 2024

Explore Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators video

Tasks you might complete in a day.

Start machines and turn handwheels or valves to engage feeding, cooling, and lubricating mechanisms.
Measure and mark reference points and cutting lines on workpieces, using traced templates, compasses, and rules.
Make minor electrical and mechanical repairs and adjustments to machines and notify supervisors when major service is required.
Align layout marks with dies or blades.
Read blueprints or job orders to determine product specifications and tooling instructions and to plan operational sequences.
Change worn machine accessories, such as cutting tools or brushes, using hand tools.
Observe machine operation to detect workpiece defects or machine malfunctions, adjusting machines as necessary.
Start machines and turn handwheels or valves to engage feeding, cooling, and lubricating mechanisms.
Perform minor machine maintenance, such as oiling or cleaning machines, dies, or workpieces, or adding coolant to machine reservoirs.
Select, install, and adjust alignment of drills, cutters, dies, guides, and holding devices, using templates, measuring instruments, and hand tools.
Compute data, such as gear dimensions or machine settings, applying knowledge of shop mathematics.
Record operational data, such as pressure readings, lengths of strokes, feed rates, or speeds.
Start machines and turn handwheels or valves to engage feeding, cooling, and lubricating mechanisms.
Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, cutters, shears, borers, millers, grinders, presses, drills, or auxiliary machines, to make metallic and plastic workpieces.
Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, cutters, shears, borers, millers, grinders, presses, drills, or auxiliary machines, to make metallic and plastic workpieces.
Remove burrs, sharp edges, rust, or scale from workpieces, using files, hand grinders, wire brushes, or power tools.
Inspect workpieces for defects, and measure workpieces to determine accuracy of machine operation, using rules, templates, or other measuring instruments.
Instruct other workers in machine set-up and operation.
Move controls or mount gears, cams, or templates in machines to set feed rates and cutting speeds, depths, and angles.
Remove burrs, sharp edges, rust, or scale from workpieces, using files, hand grinders, wire brushes, or power tools.
Position, adjust, and secure stock material or workpieces against stops, on arbors, or in chucks, fixtures, or automatic feeding mechanisms, manually or using hoists.
Write programs for computer numerical control (CNC) machines to cut metal and plastic materials.
Extract or lift jammed pieces from machines, using fingers, wire hooks, or lift bars.
Perform minor machine maintenance, such as oiling or cleaning machines, dies, or workpieces, or adding coolant to machine reservoirs.
Select, install, and adjust alignment of drills, cutters, dies, guides, and holding devices, using templates, measuring instruments, and hand tools.
Select, install, and adjust alignment of drills, cutters, dies, guides, and holding devices, using templates, measuring instruments, and hand tools.
Select the proper coolants and lubricants and start their flow.
Select the proper coolants and lubricants and start their flow.
Read blueprints or job orders to determine product specifications and tooling instructions and to plan operational sequences.
Set machine stops or guides to specified lengths as indicated by scales, rules, or templates.
Make minor electrical and mechanical repairs and adjustments to machines and notify supervisors when major service is required.
Move controls or mount gears, cams, or templates in machines to set feed rates and cutting speeds, depths, and angles.
Write programs for computer numerical control (CNC) machines to cut metal and plastic materials.
Perform minor machine maintenance, such as oiling or cleaning machines, dies, or workpieces, or adding coolant to machine reservoirs.

Subject areas you may need to master.

Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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.
Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Foreign Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
History and Archeology - Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Administrative - Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Philosophy and Theology - Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
Food Production - Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Fine Arts - Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Strengths you may need in this role.

Science - Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
Social Perceptiveness - Understanding people's reactions.
Active Listening - Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
Operations Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
Active Learning - Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
Time Management - Managing your time and the time of other people.
Technology Design - Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
Quality Control Analysis - Testing how well a product or service works.
Operation and Control - Using equipment or systems.
Judgment and Decision Making - Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
Mathematics - Using math to solve problems.
Systems Evaluation - Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
Programming - Writing computer programs.
Speaking - Talking to others.
Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
Management of Material Resources - Managing equipment and materials.
Coordination - Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
Persuasion - Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
Operations Analysis - Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
Troubleshooting - Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
Learning Strategies - Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
Negotiation - Bringing people together to solve differences.
Critical Thinking - Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
Instructing - Teaching people how to do something.
Systems Analysis - Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
Monitoring - Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
Installation - Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.
Service Orientation - Looking for ways to help people.
Equipment Selection - Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.
Management of Personnel Resources - Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
Management of Financial Resources - Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
Reading Comprehension - Reading work-related information.
Writing - Writing things for co-workers or customers.
Complex Problem Solving - Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
Equipment Maintenance - Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.
Perceptual Speed - Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
Control Precision - Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
Explosive Strength - Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.
Fluency of Ideas - Coming up with lots of ideas.
Time Sharing - Doing two or more things at the same time.
Reaction Time - Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
Problem Sensitivity - Noticing when problems happen.
Finger Dexterity - Putting together small parts with your fingers.
Multilimb Coordination - Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
Written Expression - Communicating by writing.
Rate Control - Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
Arm-Hand Steadiness - Keeping your arm or hand steady.
Near Vision - Seeing details up close.
Trunk Strength - Using your lower back and stomach.
Hearing Sensitivity - Telling the difference between sounds.
Gross Body Coordination - Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.
Spatial Orientation - Knowing where things are around you.
Wrist-Finger Speed - Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
Oral Expression - Communicating by speaking.
Mathematical Reasoning - Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
Visualization - Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
Response Orientation - Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
Selective Attention - Paying attention to something without being distracted.
Gross Body Equilibrium - Keeping your balance or staying upright.
Far Vision - Seeing details that are far away.
Speed of Closure - Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
Manual Dexterity - Holding or moving items with your hands.
Speed of Limb Movement - Quickly moving your arms and legs.
Oral Comprehension - Listening and understanding what people say.
Inductive Reasoning - Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
Deductive Reasoning - Using rules to solve problems.
Flexibility of Closure - Seeing hidden patterns.
Static Strength - Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
Written Comprehension - Reading and understanding what is written.
Information Ordering - Ordering or arranging things.
Originality - Creating new and original ideas.
Memorization - Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
Dynamic Flexibility - Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Night Vision - Seeing at night or under low light.
Sound Localization - Noticing the direction that a sound came from.
Visual Color Discrimination - Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
Auditory Attention - Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
Glare Sensitivity - Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.
Number Facility - Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
Category Flexibility - Grouping things in different ways.
Depth Perception - Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
Speech Clarity - Speaking clearly.
Stamina - Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
Extent Flexibility - Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Dynamic Strength - Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
Peripheral Vision - Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.
Speech Recognition - Recognizing spoken words.