All About Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Occupation Description 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.
Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Operator Responsibilities
- Position, secure, and align cutting tools in toolholders on machines, using hand tools, and verify their positions with measuring instruments.
- Crank machines through cycles, stopping to adjust tool positions and machine controls to ensure specified timing, clearances, and tolerances.
- Study blueprints, layouts or charts, and job orders for information on specifications and tooling instructions, and to determine material requirements and operational sequences.
- Move toolholders manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to feed tools to and along workpieces.
- Replace worn tools, and sharpen dull cutting tools and dies, using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines.
- Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Operator?
These are the skills Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders say are the most useful in their careers:
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Types of Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Operator Jobs
- Vertical Lathe Operator
- Cup Trimming Machine Operator
- Turret Lathe Set Up Operator
- Multiple Spindle Screw Machine Operator
- Computer Numerical Control Operator (CNC Operator)
Job Outlook for Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders
In the United States, there were 33,700 jobs for Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender. There will be an estimated 2,900 positions for Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Operator per year.
The states with the most job growth for Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Operator are Alabama, Utah, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Delaware, West Virginia, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders Make A Lot Of Money?
Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders make between $26,000 and $59,960 a year.
Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in Massachusetts, Oregon, or Arizona, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $35,440 |
| Arizona | $47,100 |
| Arkansas | $36,310 |
| California | $40,280 |
| Colorado | $34,110 |
| Connecticut | $46,110 |
| Florida | $37,560 |
| Georgia | $36,310 |
| Illinois | $42,540 |
| Indiana | $41,180 |
| Iowa | $41,340 |
| Kansas | $39,560 |
| Kentucky | $43,950 |
| Louisiana | $43,650 |
| Maine | $33,760 |
| Maryland | $36,060 |
| Massachusetts | $50,760 |
| Michigan | $38,830 |
| Minnesota | $41,440 |
| Mississippi | $34,760 |
| Missouri | $42,720 |
| Montana | $31,790 |
| Nebraska | $39,500 |
| Nevada | $41,430 |
| New Hampshire | $38,980 |
| New Jersey | $44,030 |
| New York | $40,720 |
| North Carolina | $47,200 |
| Ohio | $40,190 |
| Oklahoma | $41,100 |
| Oregon | $54,150 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,390 |
| Rhode Island | $44,830 |
| South Carolina | $45,310 |
| South Dakota | $37,310 |
| Tennessee | $36,040 |
| Texas | $40,200 |
| Utah | $47,130 |
| Vermont | $38,570 |
| Virginia | $38,470 |
| Washington | $45,070 |
| West Virginia | $42,270 |
| Wisconsin | $41,710 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders:
- Inventory tracking software
- G-code
- M-code
- Autodesk HSMWorks
How to Become a Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Operator
Individuals working as a Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender have obtained the following education levels:
What work experience do I need to become a Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Operator?
Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders Sector
Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders work in the following industries:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender may also be interested in:
Those who work as a Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
References:
Image Credit: US Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier via Public domain
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