National
| Median wages (2008) |
$13.54 hourly, $28,160 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
272,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Decline rapidly (-10% or lower)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
65,000 additional employees |
51-4031.00 - Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
Sample of reported job titles:
Machine Operator, Press Operator, Set-Up Operator, Saw Operator, Slitter Operator, Punch Press Operator, Die Setter, Adjuster, Die Cutter, Machine Setter
Tasks
- Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers.
- Examine completed workpieces for defects such as chipped edges and marred surfaces, and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws.
- Read work orders and production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, and dimensions and tolerances.
- Load workpieces, plastic material, or chemical solutions into machines.
- Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
- Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data.
- Test and adjust machine speeds and actions, according to product specifications, and using gauges and hand tools.
- Install, align, and lock specified punches, dies, cutting blades or other fixtures in rams or beds of machines, using gauges, templates, feelers, shims, and hand tools.
- Clean and lubricate machines.
- Position, align, and secure workpieces against fixtures or stops on machine beds or on dies.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Cutting machines — Notching machines; Shearing machines; Slitting machines; Thermal cutting machines |
| Hammers — Claw hammers; Sledgehammers |
| Lathes — Bench lathes; Speed lathes |
| Power grinders — Bench grinders; Portable grinders |
| Power saws — Table saws |
| Workshop presses — Press brakes; Punch presses; Toggle presses; Turret presses |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Computer aided manufacturing CAM software — Computerized numerical control CNC software; Striker Systems SS-Punch |
| Inventory management software — Automated inventory software |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
| 51-4011.00 |
Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic 
|
| 51-4022.00 |
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-4032.00 |
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
|
| 51-4033.00 |
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-4072.00 |
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-4081.00 |
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
|
| 51-4122.00 |
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
|
| 51-4193.00 |
Plating and Coating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-6091.00 |
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers |
| 51-9032.00 |
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders |
