Metal and Plastic Machine Worker

Position Title

Metal and Plastic Machine Workers
 

Alternate Titles

Machinist and computer numerically controlled tool programmer.

Brief Job Description

Metal and plastic machine workers set up and/or operate equipment to cut, shape, and form precision metal and plastic parts. 

Education and Training Level Description

Metal and plastic machine workers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Metal and plastic machine workers that program the equipment are called computer numerically controlled (CNC) tool programmers. CNC tool programmers typically need additional education in operating metal and plastics machines as well as CNC programming. This additional education is often acquired through courses or certificate programs at community colleges or other schools. Metal and plastic machine workers typically receive several years of on-the-job training.

Metal and plastic machine workers can receive certifications through the National Institute for Metalworking Skills in various metalworking specializations that show competence and be helpful for advancement.

With skill and experience, workers may advance to positions that offer higher pay and more responsibility. It is common for machine operators to move into setup or machinery maintenance positions. Setup workers may become industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers, machinists, or tool and die makers; learn more at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Machinery Maintenance Workers, and Millwrights and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Machinists and Tool and Die Makers webpages.

Job Profile

Metal and plastic machine workers operate equipment that makes the metal and plastic mechanical parts that are used in marine energy arrays and facilities. Metal and plastic machine workers are generally split into two groups: machine setters and machine operators and tenders. 

Machine setters, which may be considered CNC tool programmers or machinists, set up, adjust, and repair machinery. They use lathes, milling machines, grinders, and other machine tools to produce precision metal parts. Many machinists must be able to use both manual and CNC machinery. CNC machines control the cutting tool speed and do all necessary cuts to create a part. The machinists and CNC tool programmers program instructions into the CNC machine to determine the cutting path, cutting speed, and feed rate. Some machine workers produce large quantities of one part, whereas precision machinists often produce small batches or custom parts. Because the marine energy industry is still in the early stages of development, most marine energy-specific parts and components are manufactured in small batches or are custom components. Some machinists repair broken parts or make new parts that industrial machinery mechanics discover. Machinists refer to engineering drawings to create replacements. Some manufacturing processes use lasers, water jets, and electrified wires to cut the workpiece. As engineers design and build new types of machine tools, machinists and CNC tool programmers must learn new machining properties and techniques; learn more at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Mechanical Engineers webpage.

Machine operators and tenders monitor the machinery during operation. After a setter prepares a machine for production, an operator observes the machine and the products it makes. Operators may have to load the machine with materials for production or adjust machine speeds during production. They must periodically inspect the parts that a machine produces to ensure everything works properly, repairing equipment as needed. For example, the parts a machine produces may show defects if the cutting tool inside a machine becomes dull or damaged after extended use. When that happens, it is common for an operator to remove the worn tool and replace it with a new one produced by tool and die makers. Operators may fix minor problems themselves but may have an industrial machinery mechanic fix more serious problems.

Although some metal and plastic workers specialize in one or two types of machines, others are trained to set up or operate a variety of them. When manufacturing plants use production techniques, such as team-oriented “lean” manufacturing, machine workers rotate between different machines. Rotating assignments results in more varied work but also requires workers to have a range of skills. See the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Metal and Plastic Machine Workers webpage for a list of specialized types of metal and plastic workers.

Machine setters (setup workers, CNC tool programmers, and machinists) typically:

• Read detailed drawings or files, such as blueprints, sketches, and those for computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
• Set up, operate, and disassemble manual, automatic, and CNC machine tools
• Align, secure, and adjust cutting tools and workpieces
• Monitor the feed and speed of machines
• Turn, mill, drill, shape, and grind machine parts to specifications
• Verify that completed products meet requirements.

Machine operators typically:

• Monitor machines' status to ensure proper functioning
• Insert material into machines, either manually or using material handling equipment
• Operate shaping and forming equipment, such as metal or plastic molding, casting, or core-making machines
• Operate stock removal metalworking machines, such as lathes or mills
• Adjust machine settings for temperature, cycle times, and speed and feed rates
• Observe and adjust or replace dull or damaged cutting tools
• Remove finished products and document output in a database.

Job Skills

Metal and plastic machine workers typically need:

• Computer skills. Metal and plastic machine workers must be able to use programmable devices, computers, and robots on the factory floor.
• Mechanical skills. These workers must be comfortable with machines and have a good understanding of how all the parts work.
• Manual dexterity. Creating precision metal and plastic parts demands accuracy. This level of accuracy requires both concentration and agility.
• Physical stamina. Metal and plastic machine workers must be able to stand for long periods and do repetitive tasks.
• Physical strength. Metal and plastic machine workers must be able to secure and tighten heavy fixtures into place.
• Technical skills. Metal and plastic machine workers that advance to equipment setup or maintenance must understand metalworking processes. They must be able to work with CAD/CAM technology, CNC machine tools, and manual and computerized measuring machines.
• Analytical skills. Metal and plastic machine workers that advance to equipment setup or maintenance must be able to interpret technical blueprints, models, and specifications so that they can craft precision tools and metal parts.

More Information, Job Opportunities, etc.

For more information on metal and plastic machine worker jobs, see: 

• National Institute for Metalworking Skills
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Industrial Machinery Mechanics and Maintenance Workers
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Machinists and Tool and Die Makers

Resources

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Machinists and Tool and Die Makers
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Metal and Plastic Machine Workers