What Do Cutting Machine Operators Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Cutting Machine Operators set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material. They also examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws.

Other tasks include:

• Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers.
• Set stops on machine beds, change dies, and adjust components, such as rams or power presses, when making multiple or successive passes.
• Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data.
• Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
• Test and adjust machine speeds or actions, according to product specifications, using gauges and hand tools.
• Install, align, and lock specified punches, dies, cutting blades, or other fixtures in rams or beds of machines, using gauges, templates, feelers, shims, and hand tools.

We asked Cutting Machine Operators how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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51% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 39% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Cutting Machine Operators clean work area. They clean and lubricate machines.

A typical day for a Cutting, Punching and Press Machine Setter, Operator and Tender, Metal and Plastic will also include:

• Mark identifying data on workpieces.
• Plan sequences of operations, applying knowledge of physical properties of workpiece materials.
• Position, align, and secure workpieces against fixtures or stops on machine beds or on dies.
• Load workpieces, plastic material, or chemical solutions into machines.
• Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances.

We asked some Cutting Machine Operators a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	12% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	19% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	62% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	5% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	18% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	47% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Cutting Machine Operators also hone cutters with oilstones to remove nicks. They may also remove housings, feed tubes, tool holders, or other accessories to replace worn or broken parts, such as springs or bushings.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Cutting Machine Operators Grind out burrs or sharp edges, using portable grinders, speed lathes, or polishing jacks. They might also Preheat workpieces, using heating furnaces or hand torches.

In addition, they Replace defective blades or wheels, using hand tools.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Sharpen dulled blades, using bench grinders, abrasive wheels, or lathes.

To some Cutting Machine Operators, it is also their responsibility to Scribe reference lines on workpieces as guides for cutting operations, according to blueprints, templates, sample parts, or specifications.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Cutting, Punching and Press Machine Setter, Operator and Tender, Metal and Plastic, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/production/metal-and-plastic-machine-workers.htm

http://www.fmanet.org/

http://www.amtonline.org/

http://www.ntma.org/