What Do CNC Operators Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

CNC Operators set up, operate, or tend machines to crush, grind, or polish materials, such as coal, glass, grain, stone, food, or rubber. They also observe operation of equipment to ensure continuity of flow, safety, and efficient operation, and to detect malfunctions.

Other tasks include:

• Examine materials, ingredients, or products, visually or with hands, to ensure conformance to established standards.
• Move controls to start, stop, or adjust machinery and equipment that crushes, grinds, polishes, or blends materials.
• Clean, adjust, and maintain equipment, using hand tools.
• Test samples of materials or products to ensure compliance with specifications, using test equipment.
• Weigh or measure materials, ingredients, or products at specified intervals to ensure conformance to requirements.
• Read work orders to determine production specifications and information.

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

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41% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 26% 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, CNC Operators mark bins as to types of mixtures stored. They inspect chains, belts, or scrolls for signs of wear.

A typical day for a Crushing, Grinding and Polishing Machine Setter, Operator and Tender will also include:

• Clean, adjust, and maintain equipment, using hand tools.
• Clean work areas.
• Break mixtures to size, using picks.
• Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory testing.
• Read work orders to determine production specifications and information.

We asked some CNC 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?	24% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	28% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	46% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	32% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	6% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	30% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, CNC Operators also turn valves to regulate the moisture contents of materials. They may also notify supervisors of needed repairs.

On a weekly to monthly basis, CNC Operators Add or mix chemicals and ingredients for processing, using hand tools or other devices. They might also Dislodge and clear jammed materials or other items from machinery and equipment, using hand tools.

In addition, they Reject defective products and readjust equipment to eliminate problems.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Inspect chains, belts, or scrolls for signs of wear.

To some CNC Operators, it is also their responsibility to Load materials into machinery and equipment, using hand tools.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Crushing, Grinding and Polishing Machine Setter, Operator and Tender, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per 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.

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