What You'll Do

  • 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.

Essential Skills

Operations Monitoring 3.5/5
Operation and Control 3.38/5
Active Listening 3.0/5
Speaking 3.0/5
Critical Thinking 3.0/5
Monitoring 3.0/5
Troubleshooting 3.0/5
Quality Control Analysis 3.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 2.88/5
Reading Comprehension 2.75/5
Active Learning 2.75/5
Coordination 2.75/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Integrity, Attention to Detail, Dependability, Analytical Thinking, Innovation

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.75/5
Control Precision 3.75/5
Near Vision 3.75/5
Information Ordering 3.25/5
Manual Dexterity 3.25/5
Reaction Time 3.25/5
Selective Attention 3.12/5
Oral Comprehension 3.0/5

Technologies & Tools

Autodesk AutoCAD Automated inventory software Computerized numerical control CNC software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Word Operational databases SAP software Striker Systems SS-Punch

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Integrity (High importance: 4.63/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 3.99/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 3.64/5)
  • Analytical Thinking (High importance: 3.57/5)
  • Innovation (High importance: 3.52/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Adjuster Angle Shear Operator Angle Shear Setup Operator Arbor Press Operator Automatic Punch Press Operator Automatic Screwmaker Automobile Bumper Straightener Bander Operator Banding Machine Operator Bench Shear Operator Bender Machine Operator Bending Machine Setup Operator Bending Roll Operator Beveler Billet Cutter Billet Shearer Blanker Body Press Operator Bolt Cutter Brake Machine Operator Brake Operator Brake Press Operator Brass Cutter Bullet Assembly Press Operator Calender Roll Press Operator Can Cutter Center Punch Operator Clearance Cutter Clincher Clinching Machine Operator Coil Cutter Coil Shaper Cold Saw Operator Corner Former Crimping Machine Operator Crimping Press Operator Cut Off Machine Operator Cut Off Saw Setup Operator Cutter Cutting and Creasing Press Operator Cutting Machine Operator Debridging Machine Operator Diamond Saw Operator Dicer Operator Die Cutter Die Setter Digital Press Operator Dimpling Machine Operator Dinkey Press Operator Draw Press Operator Drawing Press Operator Duplicator Punch Operator Duplicator Punch Setup Operator Equipment Technician (Equipment Tech) Fabrication Machine Operator Fabrication Operator Fabricator Filament Cutter Finish Saw Operator Flexographic Press Operator (Flexo Press Operator) Flying Shear Operator Foot Press Operator Forming Press Operator Four Slide Machine Setter Four Slide Operator Friction Saw Operator Gasket Former Gasket Maker Hack Saw Operator Hammer Operator Heavy Duty Press Operator Hoop Puncher Hot Dimpling Machine Operator Hot Punch Press Operator Hot Saw Operator Hot Stamp Operator Hydropress Operator Iron Bender Jigsawyer Joggle Press Operator Key Cutter Kick Press Operator Kick Press Setter Knuckle Bender Link Cutter Machine Operator Machine Setter Machining Associate Manufacturing Associate Manufacturing Operator Metal and Plastic Sawing Machine Tool Setter Metal and Plastic Shear and Slitter Machine Setter Metal Bending Machine Operator Metal Bonding Press Operator Metal Crimping Machine Operator Metal Cut Off Saw Operator Metal Cut Off Saw Tender Metal Cutter Metal Punch Press Operator Metal Shaping Machine Operator Metal Slitter Metal Stamper Metal Stamping Machine Operator Metal Trimmer Metal Tube Cutter Metallic Yarn Slitting Machine Operator Mottle Lay Up Operator Nibbler Operator Notcher Notching Machine Operator Nut Blanker Operator Perforator Operator Pierce and Shave Press Operator Pipe Bender Pipe Stem Sawyer Planisher Planishing Press Operator Plastic Cutter Plastic Press Operator Plate Slitter and Inspector Pneumatic Press Hand Power Brake Operator Power Press Tender Press Brake Machine Operator Press Brake Machine Setter Press Brake Machine Setup Operator Press Brake Operator Press Machine Operator Press Operator Press Setter Press Setup Operator Printed Circuit Board Die Setup Operator Printed Circuit Board Panels Trimmer Profile Saw Operator Profile Saw Setup Operator Profile Trimmer Punch Machine Hand Punch Machine Operator Punch Operator Punch Press Operator Punch Press Setter Rivet Hole Puncher Rotary Shear Operator Saw Operator Sawyer Scrap Cutter Screw Cutter Setter Setup Operator Setup Technician (Setup Tech) Shear Operator Shear Setter Shearman Sheet Metal Fabricator Shift Operator Sinter Press Operator Sintering Press Operator Slasher Slat Twister Slitter Operator Slitter Technician (Slitter Tech) Slitting Machine Operator Snap Shearer Spring Coiling Machine Setter Spring Tester Square Cutter Stamp Press Operator Stamping Operator Stamping Press Operator Steel Cutter Straight Line Press Setter Straightener Straightener Operator Straightening Machine Operator Straightening Press Operator Strip Metal Punch Operator Swage Tender Swaging Machine Adjuster Sweep Press Operator Table Saw Operator Tablet Machine Operator Tape Control Press Operator Terminal Press Operator Thermal Cutting Machine Operator Tin Cutter Toggle Press Operator Trim Machine Adjuster Trimmer Machine Operator Trimming Machine Operator Tube Cutter Tubing Machine Tender Turret Punch Press Operator Vertical Contour Band Saw Operator Vertical Punch Operator Wheel Press Operator Wheel Presser Wire Coiner Wire Cutter Wire Machine Cutter Wire Sawyer Wire Straightener Zipper Cutter Zipper Trimmer