Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.
Work Activities
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Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances.
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Replace worn tools, and sharpen dull cutting tools and dies, using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines.
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Inspect sample workpieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators.
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Start lathe or turning machines and observe operations to ensure that specifications are met.
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Position, secure, and align cutting tools in toolholders on machines, using hand tools, and verify their positions with measuring instruments.
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Crank machines through cycles, stopping to adjust tool positions and machine controls to ensure specified timing, clearances, and tolerances.
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Study blueprints, layouts or charts, and job orders for information on specifications and tooling instructions, and to determine material requirements and operational sequences.
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Select cutting tools and tooling instructions, according to written specifications or knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
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Move controls to set cutting speeds and depths and feed rates, and to position tools in relation to workpieces.
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Install holding fixtures, cams, gears, and stops to control stock and tool movement, using hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments.
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Refill, change, and monitor the level of fluids, such as oil and coolant, in machines.
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Compute unspecified dimensions and machine settings, using knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
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Lift metal stock or workpieces manually or using hoists, and position and secure them in machines, using fasteners and hand tools.
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Move toolholders manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to feed tools to and along workpieces.
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Turn valve handles to direct the flow of coolant onto work areas or to coat disks with spinning compounds.
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Mount attachments, such as relieving or tracing attachments, to perform operations, such as duplicating contours of templates or trimming workpieces.
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Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
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Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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Control Precision
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
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Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
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Finger Dexterity
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
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Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Education High school diploma or equivalent
- Work Experience No work experience
- Training 1 to 12 months on-the-job training
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Looking for technical training programs?
Check out these programs:
Realistic: People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.They do well at jobs that need:
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Attention to Detail
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Dependability
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Cooperation
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Initiative
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Stress Tolerance
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Concern for Others
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Tool template sets
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Lathe bit
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Comparators
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Calipers
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Automatic lathe or chucking machine
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Object or component oriented development software
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Inventory management software
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Industrial control software
