Occupation

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

Human Advantage 61%

Significant human skills needed

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.

Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.

Also Known As: Card Grinder, Computer Numerical Control Grinding Technician (CNC Grinding Technician), Crankshaft Grinder, Cutter Grind Tool Technician, Cutter Grinder, Cutting Tool Sharpener, Cylinder Grinder, Deburrer +45 more

Core Tasks

  1. Monitor machine operations to determine whether adjustments are necessary, stopping machines when problems occur.
  2. Inspect, feel, and measure workpieces to ensure that surfaces and dimensions meet specifications.
  3. Study blueprints or layouts of metal workpieces to determine grinding procedures, and to plan machine setups and operational sequences.
  4. Select and mount grinding wheels on machines, according to specifications, using hand tools and applying knowledge of abrasives and grinding procedures.
  5. Compute numbers, widths, and angles of cutting tools, micrometers, scales, and gauges, and adjust tools to produce specified cuts.
  6. Turn valves to direct flow of coolant against cutting wheels and workpieces during grinding.
  7. Set up and operate grinding or polishing machines to grind metal workpieces, such as dies, parts, and tools.
  8. Dress grinding wheels, according to specifications.
  9. File or finish surfaces of workpieces, using prescribed hand tools.
  10. Perform basic maintenance, such as cleaning and lubricating machine parts.
  11. Remove finished workpieces from machines and place them in boxes or on racks, setting aside pieces that are defective.
  12. Remove and replace worn or broken machine parts, using hand tools.

Supplemental Tasks (6)

  1. Fit parts together in pre-assembly to ensure that dimensions are accurate.
  2. Attach workpieces to grinding machines and form specified sections and repair cracks, using welding or brazing equipment.
  3. Duplicate workpiece contours, using tracer attachments.
  4. Inspect dies to detect defects, assess wear, and verify specifications, using micrometers, steel gauge pins, and loupes.
  5. Place workpieces in electroplating solutions or apply pigments to surfaces of workpieces to highlight ridges and grooves.
  6. Straighten workpieces and remove dents, using straightening presses and hammers.

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)
45%
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)
36%
Less than a High School Diploma
13%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
6%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
  • Microsoft Excel

Software (6)

  • ANCA ToolRoom
  • IBM Lotus Notes
  • Vero Software Edgecam
  • Zoller

Tools & Equipment (28)

  • Air pressure gauges
  • Automatic metalworking lathes
  • Bench grinding wheels
  • Computer numerically controlled CNC grinders
  • Counterbores
  • Cutter grinders
  • Dial bore gauges
  • Dial indicators
  • Digital angle gauges
  • Digital calipers
  • Digital micrometers
  • Digital radius gauges
  • Drill grinders
  • Fixed overhead cranes
  • Gauge block sets
  • Hand reamer sets
  • Industrial bench grinders
  • Machining centers
  • Magnetic chucks
  • Metal broaching machinery
  • Optical comparators
  • Power drills
  • Protractors
  • Solid milling cutters
  • Surface grinding machines
  • Tool grinders
  • Vernier calipers
  • Wheeled forklifts

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Production & Automation Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 1
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials 77% match
Zone 2
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners You are here
Zone 3
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic 79% match
Zone 4
Fuel Cell Engineers 75% match
Zone 5
Microsystems Engineers 74% match

Resume Builder

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