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:

Automatic Screwmaker Automatic Spinning Lathe Operator Automatic Spinning Lathe Setter Axle Turner Back Facer Balance Recesser Balance Wheel Facer Bar Pointer Bar Turner Barrel Finisher Barrel Turner Bell Spinner Bevel Mill Operator Bevel Operator Bolt Threader Brake Drum Lathe Operator Bullard Machine Operator Bullard Operator Chaser Chucker Chucker Operator Chucking Machine Setup Operator CNC Lathe Operator (Computer Numerical Control Lathe Operator) CNC Setup Operator (Computer Numerical Control Setup Operator) CNC Turning Machine Operator (Computer Numerical Control Turning Machine Operator) CNC Turning Operator (Computer Numerical Control Turning Operator) Concaver Cup Trimming Machine Operator Deburrer Dial Lathe Operator Engine Lathe Operator Engine Lathe Setup Operator Engine Lathe Setup Tool Operator Facing Machine Operator Fittings Finisher Fountain Pen Turner Gear Cutter Gear Cutting Machine Operator Gear Cutting Machine Setup Operator Gear Generator Setup Operator Gear Hobber Gear Hobber Operator Gear Hobber Setup Operator Gear Machine Operator Gear Setter Gear Shaper Gear Shaver Setup Operator Grooving Lathe Tender Gun Profiler Hand Spinner Heavy Threader Hob Machine Operator Hobber Hobbing Machine Operator Hobbing Press Operator Hydraulic Spinner Hydrotel Operator Jewel Bearing Broacher Jewel Lathe Operator Knurling Machine Operator Lap Cutter Truer Operator Lathe Hand Lathe Machine Operator Lathe Operator Lathe Scalper Operator Lathe Setup Operator Lathe Tender Lathe Turner Lathe Winder Machine Deburrer Machine Operator Manual Lathe Operator Manufacturing Associate Manufacturing Operator Multiple Spindle Screw Machine Operator Multiple Spindle Screw Machine Setup Operator Nipple Machine Operator Nipple Threader Numerical Control Operator (NC Operator) Nut Tapper Nut Threader Optical Lathe Operator Pipe Threader Planer Planer Hand Planer Operator Press Setup Person Radial Router Operator Rim Turning Finisher Rim Turning Machine Operator Ring Cutter Lathe Operator Roll Turner Routing Machine Operator Rubber Turner Screw Machine Hand Screw Machine Operator Screw Machine Setter Screw Machine Setup Operator Screw Machine Tender Screw Machine Tool Setter Setup Operator Single Spindle Screw Machine Operator Single Spindle Screw Machine Setup Operator Small Lot Operator Spar Cap Beveler Spinner Spinning Lathe Operator Swiss Type Screw Machine Operator Swiss Type Screw Machine Setup Operator Threader Threading Machine Operator Threading Machine Setter Tool Lathe Operator Tool Setter Tool Turret Lathe Setup Operator Tumble Tailstock Turret Lathe Operator Turn Operator Turning Machine Operator Turret Lathe Operator Turret Lathe Setup Operator V-Groove Cutter Vertical Lathe Operator Vertical Multiple Spindle Chucking Machine Setup Operator Winding Lathe Operator
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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
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    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
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      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
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