Will “Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

Job Description

Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.

Job Details

• The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 51-4035.00
• The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 41,180.00
• The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 19.00
• Currently, there are 17,560 people on this job

Also Known As…

• Set Up Person
• Milling Operator
• Miller
• Mill Operator
• Machine Operator
• CNC Programmer (Computerized Numerical Control Programmer)
• CNC Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Operator)
• CNC Mill Set Up Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Set Up Operator)
• CNC Mill Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Operator)
• CNC Machine Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Machine Operator)
• Wheel Cutter
• Tooth Cutter
• Tool Shaper Setup Operator
• Tool Shaper Set-Up Operator
• Tool Profiling Machine Set-Up Operator
• Tool Planer Set-Up Operator
• Tire Mold Engraver
• Thread Milling Machine Set Up Operator
• Steel Wool Machine Operator
• Squaring Machine Operator
• Shaping Machine Operator
• Shaper Set Up Operator
• Shaper Operator
• Scribing Machine Operator
• Scalping Machine Operator
• Scalper Operator
• Scalper
• Router Operator
• Router Machine Operator
• Rotary Head Milling Machine Set-Up Operator
• Profiling Machine Setup Operator
• Profiling Machine Operator
• Profiler Operator
• Profiler
• Production Broaching Machine Operator
• Printed Circuit Boards Router
• Printed Circuit Boards Beveler
• Plastic Thread Milling Machine Setup Operator
• Planing Machine Operator
• Planer Type Milling Machine Set-Up Operator
• Planer Setup Operator
• Pantograph Machine Set-Up Operator
• Milling Machine Tender
• Milling Machine Set-Up Operator
• Milling Machine Operator
• Milling and Planing Machine Operator and Tender
• Metal Rotary Head Milling Machine Setup Operator
• Metal Milling Machine Operator
• Manufacturing Operator
• Manufacturing Associate
• Manufacturing Assistant
• Magnesium Mill Operator
• Machine Shop Pantograph Machine Operator
• Lever Miller
• Keyseating Machine Set Up Operator
• Keyseater Operator
• Jewel Stripper
• Hooking Machine Operator
• Gear Roller
• Gear Milling Machine Set Up Operator
• File Cutter
• Feed Mill Operator
• Escape Wheel Tooth Cutter
• Broaching Machine Set Up Operator
• Broaching Machine Operator
• Broacher
• Barrel Rifler
• Barrel Rib Matting Machine Operator

Tasks for “Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic”

• Move cutters or material manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to mill workpieces to specifications.
• Observe milling or planing machine operation and adjust controls to ensure conformance with specified tolerances.
• Replace worn tools, using hand tools, and sharpen dull tools, using bench grinders.
• Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
• Compute dimensions, tolerances, and angles of workpieces or machines, according to specifications and knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
• Make templates or cutting tools.
• Mount attachments and tools such as pantographs, engravers, or routers to perform other operations such as drilling or boring.
• Select and install cutting tools and other accessories according to specifications, using hand tools or power tools.
• Select cutting speeds, feed rates, and depths of cuts, applying knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
• Turn valves or pull levers to start and regulate the flow of coolant or lubricant to work areas.
• Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
• Record production output.
• Study blueprints, layouts, sketches, or work orders to assess workpiece specifications and to determine tooling instructions, tools and materials needed, and sequences of operations.
• Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments such as rules, gauges, or calipers.
• Move controls to set cutting specifications, to position cutting tools and workpieces in relation to each other, and to start machines.

Related Technology & Tools

• Pin gauge sets
• Multipurpose screwdrivers
• Turret lathes
• Outside digital OD micrometers
• Precision milling vises
• Allen wrench sets
• Collet chucks
• Wheeled forklifts
• Desktop computers
• Machine deburring tools
• Fillet gauges
• Coordinate measuring machines CMM
• Adjustable spanner wrenches
• Overhead cranes
• Mechanical comparators
• Tool probes
• Digital calipers
• Soft jaws
• Layout compasses
• Lapping tools
• Metal cutters
• Digital bench scales
• Hand grinders
• Drill presses
• Grease dispensers
• Precision rules
• Protective safety glasses
• Boring bars
• Electronic edge finders
• Metal shears
• Height gauges
• Polishing tools
• Center finders
• Height setters
• Metal planers
• Computer numerical control CNC milling machines
• Coolant chillers
• Wire cleaning brushes
• Mechanical edge finders
• Vertical machining centers VMC
• Crescent wrenches
• Dial calipers
• Automatic tool changers
• Inside digital ID micrometers
• Power hoists
• Vertical milling machines
• Vernier calipers
• Setting jigs
• Industrial bench grinders
• Drop indicators
• Horizontal milling machines
• Horizontal boring mills
• Coaxial indicators
• End mills
• Digital height gauges
• Bore gauges

• Microsoft Excel
• Autodesk AutoCAD
• SmartCAM
• Vero Software Alphacam
• Siemens PLM Software Solid Edge
• Kentech Kipware TB
• M code
• Microsoft Office
• Edgecam
• EditCNC
• Mastercam
• G code
• Extensible markup language XML