Automated Machining (CNC)

Alternative Job Titles for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

• CNC Gear Operator (Computer Numerical Control Gear Operator)
• CNC Lathe Operator (Computer Numerical Control Lathe Operator)
• CNC Machine Operator (Computer Numerical Control Machine Operator)
• CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist)
• CNC Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Mill Operator)
• CNC Operator (Computer Numerical Control Operator)
• CNC Set Up Operator (Computer Numerical Control Set Up Operator)
• Machine Operator
• Machine Set Up Operator

Job Tasks and Activities for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

• Adjust equipment controls to regulate coolant flow.
• Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products.
• Adjust machine feed and speed, change cutting tools, or adjust machine controls when automatic programming is faulty or if machines malfunction.
• Calculate machine speed and feed ratios and the size and position of cuts.
• Calculate specific material, equipment, or labor requirements for production.
• Check to ensure that workpieces are properly lubricated and cooled during machine operation.
• Clean machines, tooling, or parts, using solvents or solutions and rags.
• Clean production equipment.
• Confer with others to resolve production problems or equipment malfunctions.
• Confer with supervisors or programmers to resolve machine malfunctions or production errors or to obtain approval to continue production.
• Control coolant systems.
• Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
• Enter commands or load control media, such as tapes, cards, or disks, into machine controllers to retrieve programmed instructions.
• Enter commands, instructions, or specifications into equipment.
• Examine electronic components for defects or completeness of laser-beam trimming, using microscopes.
• Implement changes to machine programs, and enter new specifications, using computers.
• Input initial part dimensions into machine control panels.
• Insert control instructions into machine control units to start operation.
• Install mechanical components in production equipment.
• Lay out and mark areas of parts to be shot peened and fill hoppers with shot.
• Lift materials or workpieces using cranes or other lifting equipment.
• Lift workpieces to machines manually or with hoists or cranes.
• Listen to machines during operation to detect sounds such as those made by dull cutting tools or excessive vibration, and adjust machines to compensate for problems.
• Load materials into production equipment.
• Maintain machines and remove and replace broken or worn machine tools, using hand tools.
• Maintain production or processing equipment.
• Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
• Measure dimensions of finished workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments, templates, and fixtures.
• Modify cutting programs to account for problems encountered during operation, and save modified programs.
• Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
• Monitor lubrication of equipment or workpieces.
• Monitor machine operation and control panel displays, and compare readings to specifications to detect malfunctions.
• Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
• Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
• Mount, install, align, and secure tools, attachments, fixtures, and workpieces on machines, using hand tools and precision measuring instruments.
• Program equipment to perform production tasks.
• Remove accessories, tools, or other parts from equipment.
• Remove and replace dull cutting tools.
• Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.
• Replace worn equipment components.
• Review program specifications or blueprints to determine and set machine operations and sequencing, finished workpiece dimensions, or numerical control sequences.
• Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications.
• Set up and operate computer-controlled machines or robots to perform one or more machine functions on metal or plastic workpieces.
• Set up future jobs while machines are operating.
• Stack finished items for further processing or shipment.
• Stack or load finished items, or place items on conveyor systems.
• Stop machines to remove finished workpieces or to change tooling, setup, or workpiece placement, according to required machining sequences.
• Study blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements.
• Test electrical equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
• Transfer commands from servers to computer numerical control (CNC) modules, using computer network links.
• Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
• Write simple programs for computer-controlled machine tools.

Interests for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

• Realistic
  Designing, building, or repairing equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors.
• Conventional
  Following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting.

Skills for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

In order of importance

• Operation and Control
  Using equipment or systems.
  Importance: 78/100
• Operations Monitoring
  Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
  Importance: 78/100
• Critical Thinking
  Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
  Importance: 66/100
• Monitoring
  Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
  Importance: 66/100
• Quality Control Analysis
  Testing how well a product or service works.
  Importance: 60/100
• Complex Problem Solving
  Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
  Importance: 53/100
• Troubleshooting
  Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
  Importance: 53/100
• Active Listening
  Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
  Importance: 53/100
• Speaking
  Talking to others.
  Importance: 50/100
• Judgment and Decision Making
  Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
  Importance: 50/100
• Equipment Maintenance
  Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.
  Importance: 50/100
• Repairing
  Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
  Importance: 50/100
• Time Management
  Managing your time and the time of other people.
  Importance: 50/100
• Social Perceptiveness
  Understanding people's reactions.
  Importance: 47/100
• Reading Comprehension
  Reading work-related information.
  Importance: 47/100
• Systems Evaluation
  Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
  Importance: 47/100
• Active Learning
  Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
  Importance: 47/100
• Coordination
  Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
  Importance: 47/100
• Systems Analysis
  Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
  Importance: 47/100
• Equipment Selection
  Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.
  Importance: 44/100
• Instructing
  Teaching people how to do something.
  Importance: 44/100
• Mathematics
  Using math to solve problems.
  Importance: 44/100
• Learning Strategies
  Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
  Importance: 41/100
• Writing
  Writing things for co-workers or customers.
  Importance: 41/100
• Operations Analysis
  Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
  Importance: 38/100
• Management of Personnel Resources
  Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
  Importance: 35/100
• Programming
  Writing computer programs.
  Importance: 28/100
• Installation
  Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.
  Importance: 28/100
• Service Orientation
  Looking for ways to help people.
  Importance: 25/100
• Negotiation
  Bringing people together to solve differences.
  Importance: 25/100
• Persuasion
  Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
  Importance: 22/100
• Technology Design
  Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
  Importance: 19/100
• Science
  Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
  Importance: 16/100
• Management of Material Resources
  Managing equipment and materials.
  Importance: 16/100
• Management of Financial Resources
  Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
  Importance: 13/100

Knowledge for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

In order of importance

• Mathematics
  Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  Importance: 79/100
• Production and Processing
  Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  Importance: 76/100
• Mechanical
  Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  Importance: 70/100
• English Language
  Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  Importance: 58/100
• 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.
  Importance: 57/100
• 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.
  Importance: 53/100
• Design
  Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  Importance: 52/100
• 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.
  Importance: 50/100
• Computers and Electronics
  Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  Importance: 49/100
• 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.
  Importance: 39/100
• 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.
  Importance: 36/100
• 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.
  Importance: 35/100
• 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.
  Importance: 32/100
• 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.
  Importance: 31/100
• 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.
  Importance: 28/100
• 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.
  Importance: 24/100
• Economics and Accounting
  Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
  Importance: 24/100
• 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.
  Importance: 22/100
• 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.
  Importance: 21/100
• Transportation
  Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  Importance: 21/100
• Law and Government
  Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
  Importance: 18/100
• 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.
  Importance: 17/100
• Telecommunications
  Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
  Importance: 16/100
• Sociology and Anthropology
  Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
  Importance: 11/100
• 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.
  Importance: 11/100
• History and Archeology
  Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
  Importance: 9/100
• 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.
  Importance: 9/100
• 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.
  Importance: 9/100
• 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.
  Importance: 8/100
• Biology
  Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
  Importance: 7/100
• 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.
  Importance: 6/100
• Fine Arts
  Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
  Importance: 4/100
• Food Production
  Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
  Importance: 3/100

Physical Abilities for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

In order of importance

• Arm-Hand Steadiness
  Keeping your arm or hand steady.
  Importance: 69/100
• Near Vision
  Seeing details up close.
  Importance: 69/100
• Information Ordering
  Ordering or arranging things.
  Importance: 66/100
• Problem Sensitivity
  Noticing when problems happen.
  Importance: 66/100
• Reaction Time
  Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
  Importance: 63/100
• Control Precision
  Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
  Importance: 63/100
• Hearing Sensitivity
  Telling the difference between sounds.
  Importance: 60/100
• Manual Dexterity
  Holding or moving items with your hands.
  Importance: 56/100
• Visualization
  Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
  Importance: 56/100
• Auditory Attention
  Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
  Importance: 56/100
• Finger Dexterity
  Putting together small parts with your fingers.
  Importance: 56/100
• Oral Comprehension
  Listening and understanding what people say.
  Importance: 56/100
• Perceptual Speed
  Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
  Importance: 56/100
• Rate Control
  Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
  Importance: 53/100
• Deductive Reasoning
  Using rules to solve problems.
  Importance: 53/100
• Trunk Strength
  Using your lower back and stomach.
  Importance: 53/100
• Category Flexibility
  Grouping things in different ways.
  Importance: 53/100
• Selective Attention
  Paying attention to something without being distracted.
  Importance: 53/100
• Multilimb Coordination
  Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
  Importance: 53/100
• Flexibility of Closure
  Seeing hidden patterns.
  Importance: 53/100
• Written Comprehension
  Reading and understanding what is written.
  Importance: 50/100
• Number Facility
  Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
  Importance: 50/100
• Speech Clarity
  Speaking clearly.
  Importance: 50/100
• Depth Perception
  Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
  Importance: 50/100
• Speech Recognition
  Recognizing spoken words.
  Importance: 50/100
• Oral Expression
  Communicating by speaking.
  Importance: 50/100
• Speed of Closure
  Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
  Importance: 50/100
• Visual Color Discrimination
  Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
  Importance: 50/100
• Inductive Reasoning
  Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
  Importance: 50/100
• Fluency of Ideas
  Coming up with lots of ideas.
  Importance: 47/100
• Static Strength
  Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
  Importance: 47/100
• Far Vision
  Seeing details that are far away.
  Importance: 47/100
• Wrist-Finger Speed
  Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
  Importance: 47/100
• Written Expression
  Communicating by writing.
  Importance: 47/100
• Response Orientation
  Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
  Importance: 47/100
• Memorization
  Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
  Importance: 44/100
• Time Sharing
  Doing two or more things at the same time.
  Importance: 44/100
• Originality
  Creating new and original ideas.
  Importance: 44/100
• Mathematical Reasoning
  Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
  Importance: 44/100
• Sound Localization
  Noticing the direction that a sound came from.
  Importance: 41/100
• Extent Flexibility
  Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  Importance: 38/100
• Stamina
  Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
  Importance: 35/100
• Dynamic Strength
  Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
  Importance: 31/100
• Speed of Limb Movement
  Quickly moving your arms and legs.
  Importance: 31/100
• Spatial Orientation
  Knowing where things are around you.
  Importance: 28/100
• Gross Body Coordination
  Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.
  Importance: 28/100
• Peripheral Vision
  Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.
  Importance: 28/100
• Gross Body Equilibrium
  Keeping your balance or staying upright.
  Importance: 25/100
• Night Vision
  Seeing at night or under low light.
  Importance: 19/100
• Glare Sensitivity
  Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.
  Importance: 19/100
• Explosive Strength
  Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.
  Importance: 13/100
• Dynamic Flexibility
  Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  Importance: 6/100

Tools and Technology used by Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

• Automatic lathe or chucking machine
• Bench vises
• Boring machines
• Calipers
• Chucks
• Comparators
• Coordinate measuring machines CMM
• Deburring tool
• Desktop computers
• Dial indicator or dial gauge
• Drill press or radial drill
• Edge bander
• Forklifts
• Form tools or toolbits
• Furnaces
• Game pads or joy sticks
• Go or no go gauge
• Grinders
• Hand clamps
• Hand reamer
• Height gauges
• Hoists
• Hole gauge
• Horizontal machining center
• Horizontal turning center
• Hydraulic press brake
• Laser cutting machine
• Laser measuring systems
• Laser printers
• Metal band sawing machine
• Metal broaching machines
• Microcontrollers
• Micrometers
• Milling machines
• Personal computers
• Pin gauge
• Power buffers
• Power drills
• Power grinders
• Power routers
• Power sanders
• Profiling and duplicating milling machine
• Safety glasses
• Scribers
• Spot welding machine
• Surface grinding machine
• Tapping machine
• Thread counters or gauges
• Threading machine
• Tracer or duplicating or contouring lathe
• Traveling column milling machine
• Turning machines
• Turret lathe
• Vertical machining center
• Vertical turning center
• Welding masks
• Wire cathode electrode discharge machine
• Analytical or scientific software
  • CNC Consulting Machinists' Calculator
  • Kentech Kipware Trig Kalculator
• Computer aided design CAD software
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Computer aided design CAD software
  • Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
  • KCD cabinet design software
  • Kentech Kipware Studio
  • UGS Solid Edge
• Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
  • 1CadCam Unigraphics
  • BobCAD-CAM
  • CGTech Vericut CNC
  • CNC Mastercam
  • Cadem CAPSMill
  • Cadem CAPSTurn
  • Cadem NCnet
  • Cadem seeNC Mill
  • Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
  • DP Technology ESPRIT
  • Dassault Systemes CATIA
  • Delcam PowerMILL
  • Direct motion computer numerically controlled CNC software
  • EZ-CAM
  • ExtraTech Machine Tools Suite
  • FlashCut CNC
  • HOMAG WoodWOP
  • IMSI TurboCAD
  • JETCAM
  • Kentech Kipware M CNC
  • Kentech Kipware T CNC
  • Kentech Kipware X CNC
  • Kentech machine shop software
  • MDSI OpenCNC
  • Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software
  • PTC Creo Parametric
  • PartMaker SwissCAM
  • Predator DNC
  • SigmaTEK SigmaNEST
  • SmartCAMcnc SmartCAM
  • TekSoft CAMWorks
  • Vero International VISI-Series
  • Vero Software Edgecam
  • Vero Software SURFCAM
  • Virtual Gibbs CADD/CAM
• Desktop communications software
  • Eko
• Development environment software
  • MUMPS M
• Electronic mail software
  • Microsoft Outlook
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • ERP software
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • SAP software
• Industrial control software
  • EditCNC
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
  • Work inspection software
• Information retrieval or search software
  • Kentech PROTALK
• Object or component oriented development software
  • G-code
  • M-code
• Office suite software
  • Microsoft Office software
• Presentation software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
• Project management software
  • Microsoft Project
• Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel
• Video conferencing software
  • FaceTime
• Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word

Employment Industries for Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

• Machine shops
  32,700 employed
• Machinery manufacturing (3331,2,4,9)
  20,500 employed
• Fabricated metal product manufacturing (3321,2,5,6,9)
  16,400 employed
• Metalworking machinery manufacturing
  14,600 employed
• Aerospace product and parts manufacturing
  14,100 employed
• Motor vehicle parts manufacturing
  10,800 employed
• Fabricated metal product manufacturing (3323,4)
  8,200 employed
• Turned product and screw, nut, and bolt manufacturing
  8,100 employed
• Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing
  5,600 employed
• Plastics product manufacturing
  5,300 employed