Milling & Planing Machine Setters, Operators, & Tenders, Metal & Plastic

Machine Operator, Mill Operator, Miller, Milling Operator

What they do:
Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.
On the job, you would:
  • Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
  • 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.

Knowledge

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

  • manufacture and distribution of products

Engineering and Technology

  • mechanical

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Skills

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Hand and Finger Use

  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Self Control
  • Initiative
  • Integrity

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Computer aided design CAD software

  • Autodesk AutoCAD Hot Technology
  • Siemens Solid Edge

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Object or component oriented development software

  • G-code
  • M-code

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma/GED or
some college
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training
Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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