Explore unit group

Version:: NOC 2021 Version 1.0

94106 – Machining tool operators

Machining tool operators set up and operate or tend metal-cutting machines designed for repetitive machining work. They are employed by metal products and other manufacturing companies and in machine shops. This unit group also includes workers who etch or chemically mill metal pieces.

Profile

Index of titles Example job titles

Aircraft engine parts machine tool set-up operator
Aircraft parts etcher
Automated machine tool set-up operator
Automatic screw machine operator
Automatic transfer machine operator - metal machining
Axle lathe operator
Barrel rifler
Bearing borer
Bearing grinder
Bench machine tool set-up operator
Bolt-threading machine operator
Boring machine operator - metal machining
Boring mill operator - metal machining
Brake drum lathe operator
Broaching machine operator - metal machining
Bullard multiple-spindle lathe operator
Camming machine operator - metal machining
Centreless cylindrical-grinder operator
Centreless grinder set-up operator - metal machining
Chucking machine set-up operator
Computer numerical control (CNC) lathe operator - metal machining
Computer numerical control (CNC) machining tool operator
Computer numerical control (CNC) profile mill operator
Computer numerically controlled (CNC) machining centre operator
Connecting rod borer
Countersinker - metal machining
Custom screw machine operator
Cutlery and tool etcher
Cylinder grinder - metal machining
Cylinder honer - metal machining
Diesinking machine set-up operator
Drill press operator - metal machining
Drilling and milling machine operator - metal machining
Drilling machine operator - metal machining
Electrical discharge machine (EDM) operator
Electrical discharge machine (EDM) tender
Electrochemical machining tool operator
Electrolytic etcher - metal machining
Engine lathe set-up operator
External cylindrical-grinder operator
File cutter - metal machining
File maker - metal machining
Firearms etcher
Gear cutter
Gear grinder
Gear-cutting machine set-up operator
Gear-hob-milling machine set-up operator
Gear-lapping machine operator
Gear-milling machine operator
Gear-rolling machine operator
Gear-shaper operator
General machine tool set-up operator
Grooving machine set-up operator - metal machining
Hand lapper - metal machining
Hand tool filer - metal machining
Heavy chucking lathe operator - metal machining
Honing machine operator - metal machining
Horizontal boring and milling machine set-up operator
Impressing machine tender - metal machining
Jig grinder set-up operator
Lapping machine operator
Lathe hand - metal machining
Lathe machining operator
Lathe operator - metal machining
Machine operator - metal machining
Machine router - metal machining
Machine shop layer-out
Machine shop layout marker
Machine tool operator - metal machining
Machine tool set-up operator
Machine tool setter
Machine-tool setter - metal machining
Machining equipment set-up operator
Machining tool operator
Main bearing borer - metal machining
Metal band saw operator
Metal saw tooth grinder
Milling machine operator - metal machining
Milling machine set-up operator
Milling machine setter
Motor vehicle cylinder grinder
Multi-function metal-cutting tool operator
Multiple-spindle drill press operator - metal machining
Multiple-spindle screw machine operator
Multiple-spindle vertical boring mill set-up operator
Multiple-spindle vertical turret lathe set-up operator
Name plate stamper
Numerical control (NC) drilling machine operator - metal machining
Numerical control (NC) machining tool operator
Numerical control/computer numerical control (NC/CNC) machining tool operator
Numerically controlled (NC) machine operator - metal machining
Numerically controlled (NC) machine tool operator
Numerically controlled (NC) tracer operator - metal machining
Pantograph milling machine set-up operator
Pedestal drill operator - metal machining
Pipe-threading machine operator
Planer operator - metal machining
Precision grinder operator - metal machining
Precision honing machine operator - metal machining
Precision lapper - metal machining
Precision lathe operator - metal machining
Printing-roller finisher
Printing-roller grinder
Printing-roller polisher
Production machine tool operator
Production metal grinder operator
Production surface-grinder operator
Profile milling machine operator - metal machining
Profiling machine operator - metal machining
Radial drill operator - metal machining
Radial drill press operator - metal machining
Rotary-head milling machine set-up operator
Router operator - metal machining
Screw machine operator - metal machining
Screw threader
Set-up operator - metal machining
Shaper set-up operator
Single-spindle drill press set-up operator - metal machining
Small arms barrel threader
Spiral bevel-gear cutting machine set-up operator
Spiral bevel-gear generator set-up operator
Spiral gear-generator operator
Straight bevel-gear cutting machine set-up operator
Straight bevel-gear generator set-up operator
Surface grinder set-up operator
Thread cutter - metal machining
Thread grinder set-up operator
Thread-grinder operator
Thread-milling machine set-up operator
Threader - metal machining
Threading machine operator
Tool grinder - metal machining
Tool lapper - metal machining
Tool-dresser operator
Transfer machine tender - metal machining
Turret lathe operator - metal machining
Universal grinder set-up operator
Vertical boring machine operator
Vertical boring mill operator - metal machining
Vertical machining centre operator
Vertical milling machine operator - metal machining
Vertical-spindle milling machine operator - metal machining

Aircraft parts etcher
Boring mill operator - metal machining
Computer numerical control (CNC) machining tool operator
Lathe machining operator
Machining tool operator
Milling machine set-up operator
Radial drill operator - metal machining

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Study job orders and interpret blueprints to determine machining operations to be performed
Set up and operate machine tools to perform repetitive machining operations, such as turning, milling, drilling, boring, planing, honing, broaching, grinding or other machining operations
Verify dimensions of parts machined using micrometers, callipers and other precision measuring instruments
Prepare etching solution and immerse metal parts or workpiece in etching solution to remove unwanted portions
Perform routine maintenance on equipment and machinery
May enter codes specifying speed, feed and cut of the toolpath for computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine tools.

Employment requirements

Secondary school education is required.
College or other courses in machining may be required.
Several weeks of on-the-job training are provided.
Senior positions in this unit group, such as set-up operator, require experience as a machine operator.

Additional information

Experienced machining tool operators may become machinists or tool and die makers through apprenticeship training.

Exclusions

Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations (72010)
Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors (72100)
Tool and die makers (72101)
Computer-assisted design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) programmer; Computer numerical control (CNC) programmer (in 22302 Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians)

Breakdown summary

Broad occupational category: 9 – Occupations in manufacturing and utilities
TEER: 4 – Occupations usually require a secondary school diploma; or several weeks of on-the-job training
Major group: 94 – Machine operators, assemblers and inspectors in processing, manufacturing and printing
Sub-major group: 941 – Processing and manufacturing machine operators and related production workers
Minor group: 9410 – Machine operators and related workers in mineral and metal products processing and manufacturing
Version: NOC 2021 Version 1.0