Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.
124 alternate job titles:
Salary Information
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: $48,620 (median) per year.
Starting salary (10th percentile).
Required expreience: Varies by Company
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
| Task Description | Category |
|---|---|
| Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications. | General |
| Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements. | General |
| Operate metal or plastic forming equipment. | General |
| Operate cutting equipment. | General |
| Select production equipment according to product specifications. | General |
| Conduct test runs of production equipment. | General |
| Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment. | General |
| Lift materials or workpieces using cranes or other lifting equipment. | General |
| Operate grinding equipment. | General |
| Sharpen cutting or grinding tools. | General |
| Replace worn equipment components. | General |
| Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment. | General |
| Calculate dimensions of workpieces, products, or equipment. | General |
| Install mechanical components in production equipment. | General |
| Feed materials or products into or through equipment. | General |
| Adjust equipment controls to regulate coolant flow. | General |
| Perform basic equipment maintenance. | General |
| Program equipment to perform production tasks. | General |
| Program robotic equipment. | General |
| Clean work areas. | General |
| Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences. | Maintenance |
| Monitor equipment operation to ensure that products are not flawed. | Maintenance |
| Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications. | Communication |
Technology Requirements
| Technology | Description |
|---|---|
| Autodesk HSMWorks | Industrial control software |
| Computer numerical control CNC editor software | Industrial control software |
| G-code | Object or component oriented development software |
| Inventory tracking software | Inventory management software |
| M-code | Object or component oriented development software |
Relevant Certifications
Industry certifications that may be valuable for this career role:
| Certification | Issuing Organization | Practice Test |
|---|---|---|
| CAM Turning I | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| CNC Lathe Operations | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| CNC Lathe Programming Setup & Operations | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Level 1 - Welding | National Center for Construction Education and Research | Not Available |
| Machining Level I - Milling | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Machining Level I - CNC Milling: Operations | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Machining Level I - CNC Milling: Programming Setup & Operations | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Machining Level I - CNC Turning: Operations | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Machining Level I - Drill Press I | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Machining Level I - Grinding I | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Machining Level I - Job Planning, Benchwork, and Layout | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Machining Level I - Manual Turning Between Centers | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Machining Level I - Measurement, Materials and Safety Job | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Machining Level I - Turning I (Chucking Skills) | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Machining Level II - CNC Turning Skills II | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Machining Level II - Turning II (Chucking) | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Screw Machining Level II - Operate with Multiple Spindles II | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Screw Machining Level II - Operate with Single Spindles II | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Screw Machining Level III - Set Up & Operate with Multiple Spindles III | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Screw Machining Level III - Set Up & Operate with Single Spindles III | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |