Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
The occupation Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic covers people who set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces. Expect to remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers. The strongest interest signal is Realistic (7.0 of 7), then Conventional (4.4) and Investigative, which gives it the code RCI. Plan on a few months to a year of learning on the job; O*NET labels this some preparation. Strength in operations monitoring, operation and control, and monitoring helps most here. People who want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world usually fit better here than those who need helping, teaching or caring for people.
What they do
Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.
Main tasks
- Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
- Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments such as rules, gauges, or calipers.
- Move controls to set cutting specifications, to position cutting tools and workpieces in relation to each other, and to start machines.
- Observe milling or planing machine operation, and adjust controls to ensure conformance with specified tolerances.
- Select and install cutting tools and other accessories according to specifications, using hand tools or power tools.
- Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
Skills
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
Who this career fits
May suit you if
- You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
- You like clear rules and getting the details right.
- You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
- You are comfortable relying on operations monitoring and operation and control.
May not suit you if
- You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
- You want helping people to be at the center of your work. Social rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
- You want a career built on years of advanced study.
Interest profile
O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RCI takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.
Preparation
Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.
Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED). This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.
Also called
- CNC Licensed Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Licensed Mill Operator)
- CNC Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Mill Operator)
- CNC Mill Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Operator)
- CNC Mill Set Up Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Set Up Operator)
- Machine Operator
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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.