National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.1
- 9 - Occupations in manufacturing and utilities
- 94 - Processing and manufacturing machine operators and related production workers
- 941 - Machine operators and related workers in mineral and metal products processing and manufacturing
9417 - 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.
Illustrative example(s)
- aircraft parts etcher
- boring mill operator - metal machining
- CNC machining tool operator
- lathe machining operator
- machining tool operator
- milling machine set-up operator
- production gear cutter
- production grinder operator - metal machining
- radial drill operator - metal machining
Exclusion(s)
- CAD/CAM and CNC programmers (See 2233 Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians)
- Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations (See 7201 Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations)
- Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors (See 7231 Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors)
- Tool and die makers (See 7232 Tool and die makers)
Main duties
Machining tool operators perform 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
- Some secondary school education is required.
- College or other courses in machining may be required.
- Several months 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.
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