Machinists

Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, shop mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.

Job Task

• Select the appropriate tools, machines, and materials to be used in preparation of machinery work.
• Set controls to regulate machining, or enter commands to retrieve, input, or edit computerized machine control media.
• Set up, adjust, and operate all of the basic machine tools and many specialized or advanced variation tools in order to perform precision machining operations.
• Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, and engineering information in order to determine methods and sequences of operations needed to fabricate products, and determine product dimensions and tolerances.
• Clean and lubricate machines, tools, and equipment in order to remove grease, rust, stains, and foreign matter.
• Confer with engineering, supervisory, and manufacturing personnel in order to exchange technical information.
• Confer with numerical control programmers in order to check and ensure that new programs or machinery will function properly, and that output will meet specifications.
• Design fixtures, tooling, and experimental parts to meet special engineering needs.
• Establish work procedures for fabricating new structural products, using a variety of metalworking machines.
• Evaluate experimental procedures, and recommend changes or modifications for improved efficiency and adaptability to setup and production.
• Install experimental parts and assemblies such as hydraulic systems, electrical wiring, lubricants, and batteries into machines and mechanisms.
• Install repaired parts into equipment, or install new equipment.
• Observe and listen to operating machines or equipment in order to diagnose machine malfunctions and to determine need for adjustments or repairs.
• Prepare working sketches for the illustration of product appearance.
• Program computers and electronic instruments such as numerically controlled machine tools.
• Set up and operate metalworking, brazing, heat-treating, welding, and cutting equipment.
• Support metalworking projects from planning and fabrication through assembly, inspection, and testing, using knowledge of machine functions, metal properties and mathematics.
• Test experimental models under simulated operating conditions for such purposes as development, standardization, and feasibility of design.
• Advise clients about the materials being used for finished products.
• Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, and materials onto machines.
• Calculate dimensions and tolerances using knowledge of mathematics and instruments such as micrometers and vernier calipers.
• Check workpieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated and cooled.
• Dismantle machines or equipment, using hand tools and power tools, in order to examine parts for defects and replace defective parts where needed.
• Fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools.
• Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock in order to display placement of cuts.
• Machine parts to specifications using machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
• Maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, shop mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.
• Measure, examine, and test completed units in order to detect defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments such as micrometers.
• Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
• Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency.
• Position and fasten workpieces.

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