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Career Details

51-4035.00 - Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic


Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
22,400
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
17,800
Estimate
Change in Employment
-4,600
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
  • Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
  • Observe milling or planing machine operation, and adjust controls to ensure conformance with specified tolerances.
  • Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
  • Study blueprints, layouts, sketches, or work orders to assess workpiece specifications and to determine tooling instructions, tools and materials needed, and sequences of operations.
  • Move controls to set cutting specifications, to position cutting tools and workpieces in relation to each other, and to start machines.
  • Compute dimensions, tolerances, and angles of workpieces or machines according to specifications and knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
  • Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments such as rules, gauges, or calipers.
  • Select cutting speeds, feed rates, and depths of cuts, applying knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
  • Move cutters or material manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to mill workpieces to specifications.
  • Replace worn tools, using hand tools, and sharpen dull tools, using bench grinders.
  • Select and install cutting tools and other accessories according to specifications, using hand tools or power tools.
  • Record production output.
  • Turn valves or pull levers to start and regulate the flow of coolant or lubricant to work areas.
  • Mount attachments and tools, such as pantographs, engravers, or routers, to perform other operations, such as drilling or boring.
Supplemental
  • Make templates or cutting tools.
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.
 Production and Processing
  • 71%
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
 Mechanical
  • 69%
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
 Mathematics
  • 67%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 English Language
  • 59%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 52%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Education and Training
  • 50%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 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 spanner wrenches
  • Allen wrench sets
  • Crescent wrenches
  • Multipurpose screwdrivers
 Tool attachments and accessories
  • Automatic tool changers
  • Center finders
  • Collet chucks
  • Electronic edge finders
  • End mills
  • Height setters
  • Mechanical edge finders
  • Soft jaws
  • Tool probes
 Length and thickness and distance measuring instruments
  • Bore gauges
  • Coaxial indicators
  • Dial calipers
  • Digital calipers
  • Digital height gauges
  • Drop indicators
  • Fillet gauges
  • Height gauges
  • Inside digital ID micrometers
  • Outside digital OD micrometers
  • Pin gauge sets
  • Precision rules
  • Vernier calipers
 Metal boring machines
  • Boring bars
  • Horizontal boring mills
 Metal milling machines
  • Computer numerical control CNC milling machines
  • Horizontal milling machines
  • Metal planers
  • Vertical milling machines
 Indicating and recording instruments
  • Coordinate measuring machines CMM
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
 Weight measuring instruments
  • Digital bench scales
 Dispensing tools
  • Grease dispensers
 Rough and finishing tools
  • Hand grinders
  • Lapping tools
  • Wire cleaning brushes
 Metal grinding machines
  • Industrial bench grinders
 Drafting supplies
  • Layout compasses
 Cutting and crimping and punching tools
  • Machine deburring tools
  • Metal shears
 Lifting equipment and accessories
  • Overhead cranes
  • Power hoists
  • Wheeled forklifts
 Holding and clamping tools
  • Precision milling vises
 Vision protection and accessories
  • Protective safety glasses
 Machining centers
  • Vertical machining centers VMC
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
  • Edgecam
  • EditCNC
  • Kentech Kipware TB
  • Mastercam
  • Siemens PLM Software Solid EdgeHOT
  • SmartCAMcnc SmartCAMHOT
  • Vero Software AlphacamHOT
 Development software
  • Extensible markup language XMLHOT
  • G code
  • M code
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
 Core
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