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Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Occupation Detailed Description

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

The main tasks and work activities of Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are to remove products or workpieces from production equipment, monitor equipment operation to ensure that products are not flawed, mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment, review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences. In general, for the Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, operation Monitoring, operation and Control, monitoring, active Listening and other 4 skills are required.
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Job Description
EducationThese occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related ExperienceSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic jobs. 50.29% of Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 1.40% of Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
16.02%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
50.29%
Post-Secondary Certificate
1.40%
Some College Courses
26.02%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
2.23%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
4.04%

Tasks and Work Activities of Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

  • Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
  • Observe milling or planing machine operation, and adjust controls to ensure conformance with specified tolerances.
  • Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
  • Study blueprints, layouts, sketches, or work orders to assess workpiece specifications and to determine tooling instructions, tools and materials needed, and sequences of operations.
  • Move controls to set cutting specifications, to position cutting tools and workpieces in relation to each other, and to start machines.
  • Compute dimensions, tolerances, and angles of workpieces or machines according to specifications and knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
  • Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments such as rules, gauges, or calipers.
  • Select cutting speeds, feed rates, and depths of cuts, applying knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
  • Move cutters or material manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to mill workpieces to specifications.
  • Replace worn tools, using hand tools, and sharpen dull tools, using bench grinders.
  • Select and install cutting tools and other accessories according to specifications, using hand tools or power tools.
  • Record production output.
  • Turn valves or pull levers to start and regulate the flow of coolant or lubricant to work areas.
  • Make templates or cutting tools.
  • Mount attachments and tools, such as pantographs, engravers, or routers, to perform other operations, such as drilling or boring.
  • 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.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Training and Teaching OthersIdentifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
  • Coaching and Developing OthersIdentifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.
  • Monitor equipment operation to ensure that products are not flawed.
  • Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
  • Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
  • Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
  • Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications.
  • Calculate dimensions of workpieces, products, or equipment.
  • Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly.
  • Determine production equipment settings.
  • Feed materials or products into or through equipment.
  • Replace worn equipment components.
  • Sharpen cutting or grinding tools.
  • Operate grinding equipment.
  • Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
  • Select production equipment according to product specifications.
  • Record operational or production data.
  • Adjust equipment controls to regulate coolant flow.
  • Construct patterns, templates, or other work aids.

Skills and Abilities for Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • 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.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • 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.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Reaction TimeThe ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • 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.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Trunk StrengthThe ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
  • Spanner wrenchese.g. Adjustable spanner wrenches
  • Allen wrenche.g. Allen wrench sets
  • Tool holderse.g. Automatic tool changers
  • Hole gaugee.g. Bore gauges
  • Horizontal boring machinee.g. Boring bars
  • Tool template setse.g. Center finders
  • Dial indicator or dial gaugee.g. Coaxial indicators
  • Colletse.g. Collet chucks
  • Universal milling machinee.g. Computer numerical control CNC milling machines
  • Unit coolere.g. Coolant chillers
  • Coordinate measuring machines CMMe.g. Coordinate measuring machines CMM
  • Adjustable wrenchese.g. Crescent wrenches
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Caliperse.g. Dial calipers
  • Bench scalese.g. Digital bench scales
  • Caliperse.g. Digital calipers
  • Height gaugese.g. Digital height gauges
  • Drill press or radial drille.g. Drill presses
  • Dial indicator or dial gaugee.g. Drop indicators
  • Tool template setse.g. Electronic edge finders
  • Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.