Career Directions

career directions MACHINIST Machinists use machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, and grinders, to produce precision metal parts. Although they may produce Personal large quantities of one part, precision machinists often produce small batch- Characteristics/ es or one-of-a-kind items. They use their knowledge of the working proper- Skills ties of metals and skill with machine tools to plan and carry out the opera- Mechanically inclined tions needed to make machined products that meet precise specifications. Skilled at working with tools The parts that machinists make range from bolts to automobile pistons. Excellent hand-to-eye coordination Because the technology of machining is changing rapidly, machinists must learn to operate a wide range of machines. Newer machines use lasers, Good troubleshooter water jets, or electrified wires to cut the workpiece. As engineers create new Must be a safety freak (ask any types of machine tools and materials to machine, machinists must constant- machinist how easy it is to lose a ly learn new machining properties and techniques. finger!) Education High School Math Computer courses Earnings $$$$ English Technology education Wages vary depending on the type of shop and Metalworking Blueprint reading geographic area. According the 2010 U.S. Bureau of Four years of math is highly recommended, espe- Labor Statistics, workers in machine shops earned, cially trigonometry and geometry. Positions in the air- on average, $18.39 per hour; workers in the auto- craft manufacturing industry require the use of applied mobile industry earned $19.28 per hour; and aero- calculus and physics. space industry workers earned $21.07 per hour. Postsecondary There are many different ways to become a skilled machinist. Many entrants previously worked as machine setters, operators, or tenders. Others learn en- Key Skills and Competencies tirely on the job, but most acquire their skills in a mix of 1. Minimum of one-year experience operating classroom and on-the-job training. CNC machines such as lathes and milling ma- To become a CNC machinist, you must complete a chines in a heavy manufacturing environment. postsecondary program available from a community 2. Knowledge and application of precision college or a vocational/technical school. Look for a measuring instruments including calipers, ID school that offers curriculum developed by the National and OD micrometers, depth gages, indicators, Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS)—the only ANSI and scales. accredited developer of precision manufacturing skill 3. Knowledge of reading drawings and speci- standards and competency assessments. fications with an intermediate understanding of The modern machinist must have knowledge of the geometric tolerancing and dimensions. various stages of metalworking and be proficient in 4. Knowledge of tool holders, cutting tools, computer programming. The CNC-type lathes, milling boring bars, fixtures, inserts, and other accesso- machines, and grinders are all variations of the basic ries used on various machines. tool; however, adjustments and initial programming are 5. Able to follow written and oral instructions. done on a computer. The majority of machinist training 6. Able to communicate in English (both writ- is concentrated on reading measuring devices. Aside ten and oral). from basic machine operation and safety, training in the 7. Able to work flexible shifts and changing different types of steel and methods used to identify work schedules. them are core machinist training ideals. 8. Must possess basic math skills. 22 techdirections NOVEMBER 2011 Typical Work Day Work Environment Machinists first review electronic or writ- Today, many machine shops are relatively clean, well lit, ten blueprints or specifications for a job. Next, and ventilated. Computer-controlled machines often are they calculate where to cut or bore into the partially or totally enclosed, minimizing the exposure of workpiece—the piece of steel, aluminum, ti- workers to noise, debris, and the lubricants used to cool tanium, plastic, silicon, or any other material workpieces during machining. However, working around being shaped. They determine how fast to feed machine tools presents dangers, and workers must follow the workpiece into the machine and how much safety precautions. Machinists wear safety glasses to shield material to remove. They then select tools against bits of flying metal and earplugs to dampen machin- and materials for the job, plan the sequence ery noise. They also must exercise caution when handling of cutting and finishing operations, and mark hazardous coolants and lubricants. The job requires stami- the workpiece to show where cuts should be na, because machinists stand most of the day and, at times, made. may need to lift moderately heavy workpieces. Modern After layout work is completed, machinists factories use autoloaders and overhead cranes to reduce perform the machining operations. During the heavy lifting. process, they monitor the feed rate and speed Many machinists work a 40-hour week. Evening and of the machine. Machinists also ensure the weekend shifts are becoming more common, as companies workpiece is properly lubricated and cooled. extend hours of operation to make better use of expensive After the work is completed, machinists use machines. Overtime work is common during peak produc- measuring tools to check the accuracy of their tion periods. work against the blueprints. Production machinists produce large quantities of one part, especially parts requiring the Secrets for Success use of complex operations and great precision. The difference between success and failure Modern machine tools are computer numeri- in this line of work is your regard to quality. Do cally controlled (CNC). Following a computer not settle for “passable.” program, CNC machines control the cutting Become the most computer-literate person tool speed, change dull tools, and perform all in the shop. Highly skilled workers will be first necessary cuts to create a part. Frequently, in line to run ever-more-expensive machinery. machinists work with computer control pro- grammers to determine how the automated equipment will cut a part. Many machinists must be able to use both manual and computer-controlled machinery in their job. Outlook Maintenance machinists repair or make Employment is projected to in- new parts for existing machinery. To replace crease by 7% through 2018, accord- broken parts, maintenance machinists refer to ing to the U.S. Department of Labor blueprints and perform the same machining Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many operations required to create the original part. young people with the necessary While production machinists are concentrated educational and personal qualifications needed to obtain in a few industries, maintenance machinists machining skills often prefer to attend college or may work in many manufacturing industries. not wish to enter production occupations. Therefore, the number of workers obtaining the skills and knowledge necessary to fill machinist jobs is expected to be less than the number of job openings arising each year. How to Find a Job Take part time work while still in high school because many of your skills will be developed while completing real projects. A vocational/technical school Professional Organizations can provide the experience and coursework needed to International Association of Machinists break into the field, and employers who need machin- and Aerospace Workers ists often contact these schools. www.goiam.org When you get an interview, show up on time and National Tooling and Metalworking Association be respectful. Have ready a list of projects that you’ve www.ntma.org completed and a resumé of related classes and job experience. National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) www.nims-skills.org www.techdirections.com CAREER DIRECTIONS 23.

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