Will “Block Engraver” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

98% Chance of Automation

“Block Engraver” will almost certainly be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #682 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

Engrave or etch metal, wood, rubber, or other materials. Includes such workers as etcher-circuit processors, pantograph engravers, and silk screen etchers.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 51-9194.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 34,390.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 16.00
Currently, there are 9,520 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Etchers and Engravers”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Block Engraver”

Examine sketches, diagrams, samples, blueprints, or photographs to decide how designs are to be etched, cut, or engraved onto workpieces.
Examine engraving for quality of cut, burrs, rough spots, and irregular or incomplete engraving.
Sandblast exposed areas of glass to cut designs in surfaces, using spray guns.
Measure and compute dimensions of lettering, designs, or patterns to be engraved.
Expose workpieces to acid to develop etch patterns such as designs, lettering, or figures.
Cut outlines of impressions with gravers, and remove excess material with knives.
Select and mount wheels and miters on lathes, and equip lathes with water to cool wheels and prevent dust when grinding glass.
Determine machine settings, and move bars or levers to reproduce designs on rollers or plates.
Brush or smear abrasives on cutting wheels.
Set reduction scales to attain specified sizes of reproduction on workpieces, and set pantograph controls for required heights, depths, and widths of cuts.
Observe actions of cutting tools through microscopes and adjust stylus movement to ensure accurate reproduction.
Remove wax or tape from etched glassware by using a stylus or knife, or by immersing ware in hot water.
Adjust depths and sizes of cuts by adjusting heights of worktables, or by adjusting machine-arm gauges.
Remove completed workpieces and place them in trays.
Reduce artwork to be used, using reduction cameras.
Start machines and lower cutting tools to beginning points on patterns.
Select and insert required templates into pattern frames beneath the stylus of a machine cutting tool or router.
Inspect etched work for depth of etching, uniformity, and defects, using calibrated microscopes, gauges, fingers, or magnifying lenses.
Prepare workpieces for etching or engraving by cutting, sanding, cleaning, polishing, or treating them with wax, acid resist, lime, etching powder, or light-sensitive enamel.
Prepare etching chemicals according to formulas, diluting acid with water to obtain solutions of specified concentration.
Sketch, trace, or scribe layout lines and designs on workpieces, plates, dies, or rollers, using compasses, scribers, gravers, or pencils.
Position and clamp workpieces, plates, or rollers in holding fixtures.
Fill etched characters with opaque paste to improve readability.
Brush or wipe acid over engraving to darken or highlight inscriptions.
Carve designs and letters onto metal for transfer to other surfaces.
Neutralize workpieces to remove acid, wax, or enamel, using water, solvents, brushes, or specialized machines.
Engrave and print patterns, designs, etchings, trademarks, or lettering onto flat or curved surfaces of a wide variety of metal, glass, plastic, or paper items, using hand tools or hand-held power tools.
Print proofs or examine designs to verify accuracy of engraving, and rework engraving as required.
Transfer image to workpiece, using contact printer, pantograph stylus, silkscreen printing device, or stamp pad.
Clean and polish engraved areas.
Guide stylus over template, causing cutting tool to duplicate design or letters on workpiece.
Insert cutting tools or bits into machines and secure them with wrenches.

Related Technology & Tools

Contact printers
Flat cold chisels
Personal computers
Sandblasting spray guns
Mechanical engraving systems
Drafting compasses
Scriber markers
Silkscreen printing devices
Precision file sets
Curing ovens
Burnishing tools
Adjustable wrenches
Engraving lathes
Sheet metal shears
Magnifying lenses
Utility knives
Laser engraving systems
Precision rulers
Protective glasses
Stamp pads
Rotary engraving machines
Whirler machines
Pantograph engraving machines
Reduction cameras
Hand arbors
Applicator brushes
Automatic feeding eyelet machines
Polishing machines
Power routers
Bench grinders
Ultraviolet UV lamps
Binocular benchtop microscopes
Bench vises
Work tables
Magnifying lamps
Benchtop drill presses
Chasing hammers
Gravers

Data entry software
Gravograph GravoStyle
Western Engravers Supply Vision EXPERT
Delcam ArtCAM Express
Computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing CAD/CAM engraving software
Microsoft Windows
Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator