How Does a Machinist Spend a Workday?

Metal-working Tools Used by Machinists

Machinists work with different power devices--primarily metal lathes, drill presses and milling equipment. Some highly skilled machinists may not only make parts but also repair precision tools. Depending on the particular assignment, a machinist may spend the day in repetitious work, making the same small part over and over. In other cases, the workday may consist of producing varied parts. All, however, must be finished to exact tolerances, often to the micro-millimeter level. In order to create these parts, the machinist has to read and understand blueprints or other design specifications. Then the operator translates these particulars into the required operations on different types of metals or plastics.

How Is Metal Machined?

The unfabricated metal or other substance involved is placed on whatever machine will be used. By manipulating the equipment controls, feeding in cutting tools, the unnecessary parts are cut or ground away--much the same way a sculptor removes material from a piece of stone to create a work of art. During this process, the operator monitors the process, controlling the rate of progression and being alert for problems such as an unwanted heat increase. A machinist in a modern plant probably works with the aid of computer programs that control and automate much of the process. However, because of the complexities of machining metal and other substances, human intervention is needed.

How Does Someone Become a Machinist?

In many cases, a person goes through a lengthy apprenticeship program, often associated with union membership. Vocational schools and community colleges offer courses and certificates in the subject. In either case, considerable on-the-job training is required. School training involves gaining knowledge in a wide variety of topics such as mathematics for metal-working, learning how to read blueprints, and computer programming for machining equipment. The National Institute of Metalworking Skills provides an approved curriculum for schools. Graduates are given a credential from the Institute, which improves the chances of getting a desired job.

Job Outlook and Rewards

Computer-controlled enhancements to the metal-working process create a situation in which fewer operators are able to do the same work that required larger numbers in the past. To have the best chances of getting good jobs, machinists need to learn multiple skills, making them more valuable to potential employers.

Resources

• National Institute for Metalworking Skills
• Precision Machine Products Association