Occupation

Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Human Advantage 59%

Moderate human-AI collaboration

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.6 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.

Also Known As: Abrasive Sawyer, Almond Cutting Machine Tender, Angle Shearer, Apple Peeler Operator, Applique Cutter, Arch Cushion Skiving Machine Operator, Automatic Glass Cutting Machine Operator, Automatic Outsole Cutter +344 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
  2. Review work orders, blueprints, specifications, or job samples to determine components, settings, and adjustments for cutting and slicing machines.
  3. Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices, such as rulers, micrometers, or scales.
  4. Press buttons, pull levers, or depress pedals to start and operate cutting and slicing machines.
  5. Start machines to verify setups, and make any necessary adjustments.
  6. Feed stock into cutting machines, onto conveyors, or under cutting blades, by threading, guiding, pushing, or turning handwheels.
  7. Monitor operation of cutting or slicing machines to detect malfunctions or to determine whether supplies need replenishment.
  8. Stack and sort cut material for packaging, further processing, or shipping, according to types and sizes of material.
  9. Adjust machine controls to alter position, alignment, speed, or pressure.
  10. Remove completed materials or products from cutting or slicing machines, and stack or store them for additional processing.
  11. Maintain production records, such as quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.
  12. Remove defective or substandard materials from machines, and readjust machine components so that products meet standards.
  13. Position stock along cutting lines, or against stops on beds of scoring or cutting machines.
  14. Move stock or scrap to and from machines manually, or by using carts, handtrucks, or lift trucks.
  15. Select and install machine components, such as cutting blades, rollers, and templates, according to specifications, using hand tools.
  16. Clean and lubricate cutting machines, conveyors, blades, saws, or knives, using steam hoses, scrapers, brushes, or oil cans.

Supplemental Tasks (9)

  1. Mark cutting lines or identifying information on stock, using marking pencils, rulers, or scribes.
  2. Type instructions on computer keyboards, push buttons to activate computer programs, or manually set cutting guides, clamps, and knives.
  3. Change or replace saw blades, cables, cutter heads, and grinding wheels, using hand tools.
  4. Position width gauge blocks between blades, and level blades and insert wedges into frames to secure blades to frames.
  5. Direct workers on cutting teams.
  6. Sharpen cutting blades, knives, or saws, using files, bench grinders, or honing stones.
  7. Turn cranks or press buttons to activate winches that move cars under sawing cables or saw frames.
  8. Tighten pulleys or add abrasives to maintain cutting speeds.
  9. Cut stock manually to prepare for machine cutting, using tools such as knives, cleavers, handsaws, or hammers and chisels.

Education & Training

Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
55%
Less than a High School Diploma
38%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
5%
Some College Courses
1%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.
0%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Word
  • SAP software

Tools & Equipment (42)

  • Automatic chucking machines
  • Benchtop grinders
  • Boring mills
  • Cleaning brushes
  • Cleaning scrapers
  • Computer numerically controlled CNC cutting machines
  • Conveyor belt systems
  • Cutoff saws
  • Digital bench scales
  • Digital calipers
  • Digital micrometers
  • Flat cold chisels
  • Floor-mounted drill presses
  • Food slicing machines
  • Forklifts
  • Guillotines
  • Handsaws
  • Honing stones
  • Hydraulic cutters
  • I-beam jib cranes
  • Jib cranes
  • Laser cutters
  • Layout squares
  • Lubrication guns
  • Marking scribes
  • Measuring tapes
  • Multipurpose hammers
  • Multipurpose screwdrivers
  • Oil dispensing cans
  • Overhead cranes
  • Pallet jacks
  • Paper cutting machines
  • Personal computers
  • Plasma cutters
  • Precision file sets
  • Precision rulers
  • Rulers
  • Steam hoses
  • Trimming presses
  • Utility knives
  • Warehouse carts
  • Warehouse hand trucks

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Production & Automation Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 1
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand 81% match
Zone 2
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders You are here
Zone 3
Model Makers, Wood 79% match
Zone 4
Fuel Cell Engineers 76% match
Zone 5
Microsystems Engineers 74% match

Resume Builder

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Real Talk

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