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Career Details

51-4031.00 - Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic


Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
192,200
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
152,700
Estimate
Change in Employment
-39,500
Estimate
Change in Employment %
-20.6%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers.
  • Examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws.
  • Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances.
  • Load workpieces, plastic material, or chemical solutions into machines.
  • Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
  • Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data.
  • 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.
  • Clean and lubricate machines.
  • Position, align, and secure workpieces against fixtures or stops on machine beds or on dies.
  • Adjust ram strokes of presses to specified lengths, using hand tools.
  • Position guides, stops, holding blocks, or other fixtures to secure and direct workpieces, using hand tools and measuring devices.
  • Set stops on machine beds, change dies, and adjust components, such as rams or power presses, when making multiple or successive passes.
  • Lubricate workpieces with oil.
  • Mark identifying data on workpieces.
  • Plan sequences of operations, applying knowledge of physical properties of workpiece materials.
  • Clean work area.
  • Operate forklifts to deliver materials.
Supplemental
  • Scribe reference lines on workpieces as guides for cutting operations, according to blueprints, templates, sample parts, or specifications.
  • Set blade tensions, heights, and angles to perform prescribed cuts, using wrenches.
  • Place workpieces on cutting tables, manually or using hoists, cranes, or sledges.
  • Thread ends of metal coils from reels through slitters and secure ends on recoilers.
  • Turn valves to start flow of coolant against cutting areas or to start airflow that blows cuttings away from kerfs.
  • Replace defective blades or wheels, using hand tools.
  • Turn controls to set cutting speeds, feed rates, or table angles for specified operations.
  • Hand-form, cut, or finish workpieces, using tools such as table saws, hand sledges, or anvils.
  • Grind out burrs or sharp edges, using portable grinders, speed lathes, or polishing jacks.
  • Sharpen dulled blades, using bench grinders, abrasive wheels, or lathes.
  • Remove housings, feed tubes, tool holders, or other accessories to replace worn or broken parts, such as springs or bushings.
  • Hone cutters with oilstones to remove nicks.
  • Select, clean, and install spacers, rubber sleeves, or cutters on arbors.
  • Preheat workpieces, using heating furnaces or hand torches.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Mechanical
  • 70%
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
 Production and Processing
  • 64%
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
 Mathematics
  • 60%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 English Language
  • 56%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Design
  • 50%
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Wrenches and drivers
  • Adjustable hand wrenches
  • Allen wrenches
  • Straight screwdrivers
 Forming tools
  • Anvils
  • Claw hammers
  • Sledgehammers
 Power tools
  • Bench grinders
  • Portable grinders
  • Power saws
  • Table saws
 Lathes and turning centers
  • Bench lathes
  • Speed lathes
 Metal cutting machines
  • Blanking presses
  • Gear-cutting machines
  • Shearing machines
 Holding and clamping tools
  • C clamps
  • Locking hand pliers
  • Sheet metal hand tongs
 Cleaning equipment
  • Cleaning scrapers
  • Steam cleaning equipment
 Measuring and layout tools
  • Combination squares
  • Straightedges
 Computers
  • Computer terminals
  • Personal computers
 Forging machines
  • Computerized numerical control CNC turret punching machines
  • Die cutting presses
 Cutting and crimping and punching tools
  • Core cutters
  • Hand nibblers
  • Handsaws
  • Power shears
  • Utility knives
 Machinery for working wood and stone and ceramic and the like
  • Crimping machines
  • Cutting machines
  • Notching machines
  • Power guillotine cutters
  • Sawing machines
  • Slitting machines
  • Thermal cutting machines
 Length and thickness and distance measuring instruments
  • Dial calipers
  • Digital micrometers
  • Feeler gauges
  • Gauge blocks
  • Precision rulers
  • Vernier calipers
 Lifting equipment and accessories
  • Forklifts
  • Hoisting equipment
  • Lift trucks
  • Overhead cranes
 Metal bending machines
  • Forming presses
  • Hobbing presses
  • Power press brakes
  • Toggle presses
  • Tube benders
 Industrial trucks
  • Handtrucks
  • Pallet jacks
 Rough and finishing tools
  • Honing stones
  • Metal chisels
  • Precision files
  • Wire brushes
 Hydraulic presses
  • Hydraulic presses
 Labeling machines
  • Labeling machines
 Drafting supplies
  • Layout scales
  • Layout templates
  • Protractors
 Marking tools
  • Metal scribers
 Machining centers
  • Multi-axis computerized numerical control CNC machines
 Metal drilling machines
  • Multiple punch presses
  • Punch presses
  • Shear presses
  • Turret presses
 Hearing protectors
  • Protective ear muffs
 Safety apparel
  • Safety gloves
 Studs
  • Shims
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Industry specific software
  • Autodesk AutoCADHOT
  • Computerized numerical control CNC software
  • Striker Systems SS-Punch
 Business function specific software
  • Automated inventory software
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Advanced
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Tidewater Community College
Virginia Peninsula Community College