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Machinists Occupation Detailed Description

Machinists career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Machinists

The main tasks and work activities of Machinists are to operate cutting equipment, operate grinding equipment, measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, mount attachments or tools onto production equipment. In general, for the Machinists, operation and Control, monitoring, critical Thinking, operation Monitoring and other 7 skills are required.
Machinists Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Machinists jobs. 35.91% of Machinists have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 33.12% of Machinists have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
13.63%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
35.91%
Post-Secondary Certificate
33.12%
Some College Courses
17.34%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.00%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
0.00%

Tasks and Work Activities of Machinists

  • 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.
  • Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, or materials onto machines.
  • Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
  • Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts.
  • Check work pieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated or cooled.
  • Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency.
  • Install repaired parts into equipment or install new equipment.
  • Advise clients about the materials being used for finished products.
  • Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
  • Confer with engineering, supervisory, or manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information.
  • Dismantle machines or equipment, using hand tools or 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.
  • Support metalworking projects from planning and fabrication through assembly, inspection, and testing, using knowledge of machine functions, metal properties, and mathematics.
  • Confer with numerical control programmers to check and ensure that new programs or machinery will function properly and that output will meet specifications.
  • Fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools.
  • Design fixtures, tooling, or experimental parts to meet special engineering needs.
  • Prepare working sketches for the illustration of product appearance.
  • Install experimental parts or assemblies, such as hydraulic systems, electrical wiring, lubricants, or batteries into machines or mechanisms.
  • Set up or operate metalworking, brazing, heat-treating, welding, or cutting equipment.
  • Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentServicing, 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 SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Training and Teaching OthersIdentifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
  • Operate cutting equipment.
  • Operate grinding equipment.
  • Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
  • Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
  • Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
  • Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
  • Measure materials to mark reference points, cutting lines, or other indicators.
  • Monitor lubrication of equipment or workpieces.
  • Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
  • Conduct test runs of production equipment.
  • Install mechanical components in production equipment.
  • Advise others on ways to improve processes or products.
  • Program equipment to perform production tasks.
  • Exchange information with colleagues.
  • Replace worn equipment components.
  • Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair.
  • Plan production or operational procedures or sequences.
  • Prepare fabrics or materials for processing or production.
  • Determine metal or plastic production methods.
  • Assemble machine tools, parts, or fixtures.

Skills and Abilities for Machinists

  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Problem SensitivityThe 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.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Rate ControlThe 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.
  • Information OrderingThe 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).
  • Multilimb CoordinationThe 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.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Perceptual SpeedThe 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.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Reaction TimeThe ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  • Traveling column milling machinee.g. 3-axis computerized numerical control CNC machines
  • Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable wrenches
  • Adjustable angle platee.g. Angle plates
  • Feeler gaugese.g. Angled feeler gauges
  • Anvilse.g. Anvils
  • Manual press brakee.g. Arbor presses
  • Metal cutterse.g. Aviation snips
  • Ball peen hammere.g. Ball peen hammers
  • Metal band sawing machinee.g. Bandsaws
  • Shearse.g. Beverly shears
  • Binocular light compound microscopese.g. Binocular light compound microscopes
  • Boring machinese.g. Boring bars
  • Boring machinese.g. Boring tools
  • Manual press brakee.g. Brake presses
  • Hammerse.g. Brass hammers
  • Welder torche.g. Brazing equipment
  • Tracer or duplicating or contouring lathee.g. Breaker lathes
  • Metal broaching machinese.g. Broachers
  • Power bufferse.g. Buffers
  • Caliperse.g. Calipers
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • DesignKnowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.