51-4034.00Apprenticeship

Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, & Tenders, Metal & Plastic

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.

Career Cluster:Advanced Manufacturing
Job Family:Production
Job Zone:Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Industry:Manufacturing
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Key Tasks

  • Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances.
  • Move controls to set cutting speeds and depths and feed rates, and to position tools in relation to workpieces.
  • Study blueprints, layouts or charts, and job orders for information on specifications and tooling instructions, and to determine material requirements and operational sequences.
  • Replace worn tools, and sharpen dull cutting tools and dies, using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines.
  • Inspect sample workpieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators.
  • Move toolholders manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to feed tools to and along workpieces.
  • Compute unspecified dimensions and machine settings, using knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
  • Crank machines through cycles, stopping to adjust tool positions and machine controls to ensure specified timing, clearances, and tolerances.
  • Position, secure, and align cutting tools in toolholders on machines, using hand tools, and verify their positions with measuring instruments.
  • Start lathe or turning machines and observe operations to ensure that specifications are met.
  • Program computer numerical control machines.
  • Refill, change, and monitor the level of fluids, such as oil and coolant, in machines.
  • Clean work area.
  • Lift metal stock or workpieces manually or using hoists, and position and secure them in machines, using fasteners and hand tools.
  • Install holding fixtures, cams, gears, and stops to control stock and tool movement, using hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments.
  • Select cutting tools and tooling instructions, according to written specifications or knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
  • Turn valve handles to direct the flow of coolant onto work areas or to coat disks with spinning compounds.
  • Mount attachments, such as relieving or tracing attachments, to perform operations, such as duplicating contours of templates or trimming workpieces.

Skills

Operations Monitoring
63%
Operation and Control
60%
Reading Comprehension
50%
Active Listening
50%
Monitoring
50%
Quality Control Analysis
50%
Equipment Maintenance
50%
Judgment and Decision Making
47%
Time Management
44%
Speaking
44%
Coordination
41%
Troubleshooting
41%
Equipment Selection
41%
Complex Problem Solving
41%
Critical Thinking
41%
Social Perceptiveness
38%
Repairing
31%
Writing
31%
Mathematics
28%
Instructing
28%
Management of Material Resources
25%
Persuasion
25%
Systems Analysis
25%
Management of Personnel Resources
25%
Active Learning
25%
Service Orientation
25%
Systems Evaluation
25%
Learning Strategies
25%
Programming
22%
Installation
22%
Negotiation
22%
Management of Financial Resources
22%
Science
19%
Operations Analysis
19%
Technology Design
19%

Knowledge

Production and Processing
75%
Mechanical
66%
Engineering and Technology
65%
Education and Training
58%
Customer and Personal Service
57%
Administration and Management
57%
Mathematics
54%
English Language
54%
Personnel and Human Resources
49%
Administrative
49%
Computers and Electronics
46%
Public Safety and Security
44%
Design
44%
Building and Construction
34%
Economics and Accounting
30%
Physics
29%
Law and Government
27%
Sales and Marketing
26%
Chemistry
25%
Therapy and Counseling
22%
Psychology
20%
Medicine and Dentistry
19%
Telecommunications
15%
Transportation
13%
Geography
12%
Foreign Language
11%
Communications and Media
10%
Fine Arts
10%
Biology
10%
History and Archeology
8%
Sociology and Anthropology
8%
Philosophy and Theology
8%
Food Production
8%

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Abilities

Arm-Hand Steadiness
69%
Control Precision
69%
Near Vision
63%
Finger Dexterity
56%
Reaction Time
53%
Visualization
53%
Problem Sensitivity
53%
Oral Comprehension
53%
Multilimb Coordination
53%
Rate Control
53%
Manual Dexterity
53%
Perceptual Speed
50%
Oral Expression
50%
Deductive Reasoning
50%
Written Comprehension
50%
Trunk Strength
50%
Information Ordering
50%
Selective Attention
50%
Far Vision
47%
Category Flexibility
47%
Static Strength
47%
Inductive Reasoning
47%
Speech Clarity
44%
Extent Flexibility
44%
Speech Recognition
44%
Depth Perception
44%
Flexibility of Closure
44%
Auditory Attention
41%
Hearing Sensitivity
35%
Mathematical Reasoning
35%
Written Expression
35%
Number Facility
31%
Stamina
28%
Fluency of Ideas
28%
Explosive Strength
28%
Gross Body Equilibrium
28%
Dynamic Strength
28%
Wrist-Finger Speed
28%
Response Orientation
28%
Gross Body Coordination
28%
Memorization
25%
Peripheral Vision
25%
Time Sharing
25%
Speed of Closure
25%
Originality
25%
Visual Color Discrimination
25%
Night Vision
22%
Sound Localization
22%
Spatial Orientation
22%
Speed of Limb Movement
19%
Glare Sensitivity
19%
Dynamic Flexibility
6%

Work Activities

Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
81%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
78%
Controlling Machines and Processes
77%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
77%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
76%
Working with Computers
75%
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
73%
Training and Teaching Others
71%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
70%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
69%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
69%
Thinking Creatively
65%
Getting Information
64%
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
64%
Analyzing Data or Information
63%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
63%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
63%
Handling and Moving Objects
62%
Scheduling Work and Activities
61%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
61%
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
61%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
60%
Performing General Physical Activities
60%
Developing Objectives and Strategies
59%
Processing Information
57%
Coaching and Developing Others
55%
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
54%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
53%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
53%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
53%
Documenting/Recording Information
53%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
50%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
49%
Developing and Building Teams
47%
Staffing Organizational Units
45%
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
42%
Assisting and Caring for Others
38%
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
34%
Selling or Influencing Others
33%
Performing Administrative Activities
32%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
31%

Work Context

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

100%

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

84%

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

80%

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

77%

Duration of Typical Work Week

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

71%

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

68%

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

68%

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

66%

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

65%

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

61%

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

60%

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

60%

Level of Competition

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

57%

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

57%

Health and Safety of Other Workers

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

54%

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

53%

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

53%

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

52%

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

48%

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

47%

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

46%

Spend Time Walking or Running

How much does this job require walking or running?

43%

Degree of Automation

How automated is the job?

41%

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

41%

Exposed to Contaminants

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

40%

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

39%

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

36%

Public Speaking

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

36%

Telephone Conversations

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

36%

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

34%

Written Letters and Memos

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

34%

Frequency of Decision Making

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

32%

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

32%

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

31%

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

30%

E-Mail

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

29%

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

28%

Consequence of Error

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

27%

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

26%

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

21%

Conflict Situations

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

20%

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

18%

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

18%

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

14%

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

13%

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

13%

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

12%

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

9%

Exposed to High Places

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

6%

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

5%

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

5%

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

5%

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

2%

Work Schedules

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

2%

Outdoors, Under Cover

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

1%

Exposed to Disease or Infections

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

0%

Exposed to Radiation

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

0%

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

32%

Some college, no degree

29%

Less than high school diploma

18%

Interests

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t

100

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum

52

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f

16

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,

0

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis

0

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

0

Work Styles

Attention to Detail
84%
Dependability
78%
Cautiousness
66%
Achievement Orientation
36%
Perseverance
31%
Stress Tolerance
29%
Integrity
26%
Self-Control
23%
Intellectual Curiosity
19%
Self-Confidence
19%
Adaptability
15%
Cooperation
11%
Initiative
8%
Sincerity
1%

Work Values

Support
72%
Achievement
33%
Independence
33%
Working Conditions
31%
Recognition
17%
Relationships
11%

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