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

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.
Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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.
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.
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.
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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.
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.
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.
Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
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.
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.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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.
Food Production - Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
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.
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.
Fine Arts - Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Strengths you may need in this role.

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

Average Education Attained

Highest level of education earned by people in this career.

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