Occupation

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Human Advantage 59%

Moderate human-AI collaboration

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
4 / 10

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

Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.

Also Known As: Abrasive Worker, Air Grinder, Aluminum Polisher, Automatic Grinder Operator, Axle Bearing Polisher, Axle Polisher, Balance Screwhead Polisher, Band Reamer Machine Operator +247 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Inspect or measure finished workpieces to determine conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as gauges or micrometers.
  2. Measure workpieces and lay out work, using precision measuring devices.
  3. Observe machine operations to detect any problems, making necessary adjustments to correct problems.
  4. Move machine controls to index workpieces, and to adjust machines for pre-selected operational settings.
  5. Study blueprints, work orders, or machining instructions to determine product specifications, tool requirements, and operational sequences.
  6. Select machine tooling to be used, using knowledge of machine and production requirements.
  7. Mount and position tools in machine chucks, spindles, or other tool holding devices, using hand tools.
  8. Activate machine start-up switches to grind, lap, hone, debar, shear, or cut workpieces, according to specifications.
  9. Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic workpieces.
  10. Set and adjust machine controls according to product specifications, using knowledge of machine operation.
  11. Brush or spray lubricating compounds on workpieces, or turn valve handles and direct flow of coolant against tools and workpieces.
  12. Lift and position workpieces, manually or with hoists, and secure them in hoppers or on machine tables, faceplates, or chucks, using clamps.
  13. Repair or replace machine parts, using hand tools, or notify engineering personnel when corrective action is required.

Supplemental Tasks (5)

  1. Compute machine indexings and settings for specified dimensions and base reference points.
  2. Maintain stocks of machine parts and machining tools.
  3. Thread and hand-feed materials through machine cutters or abraders.
  4. Adjust air cylinders and setting stops to set traverse lengths and feed arm strokes.
  5. Slide spacers between buffs on spindles to set spacing.

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)
80%
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)
14%
Some College Courses
4%
Less than a High School Diploma
1%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Windows
  • SAP software

Software (7)

  • Manufacturing reporting system
  • Mazak Mazatrol SMART CNC

Tools & Equipment (28)

  • Angle grinders
  • Barrel finishing machines
  • Bench clamps
  • Bore gauges
  • Buffing machines
  • Chuck wrenches
  • Computer numerical control CNC grinding machines
  • Computerized microscopes
  • Coordinate measuring machines CMM
  • Cylinder grinders
  • Digital calipers
  • Digital comparators
  • Digital micrometers
  • Digital radius gauges
  • Electric overhead travelling EOT cranes
  • Gage blocks
  • Gage pins
  • Hand deburring tools
  • Inner diameter ID grinders
  • Limit gauges
  • Metal polishing machines
  • Metalworking surface plates
  • Outer diameter OD grinders
  • Pipe chamfering machines
  • Power hoists
  • Surface grinding machines
  • Universal grinding machines
  • Vernier calipers

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Industrial Machinery Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 1
Conveyor Operators and Tenders 79% match
Zone 2
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic You are here
Zone 3
Crane and Tower Operators 80% match

Resume Builder

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Real Talk

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