Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium38.52%
Found in Industries:
Salary Range
Low (10th %)$32,960
Median$42,610
High (90th %)$59,990
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Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.
The occupation "Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic" has an automation risk of 38.5%, closely aligned with the base risk of 38.9%. This moderate level of risk reflects the nature of tasks commonly performed in this job, which include a mix of repetitive manual operations and activities requiring direct human oversight. Automation technology, such as advanced robotics and computer-numerical control (CNC) systems, is increasingly capable of handling tasks that involve measurement, routine adjustments, and quality checks. However, certain aspects of this occupation still require physical manipulation, nuanced judgment, and sensory perception that remain less accessible to current automation solutions. The top three most automatable tasks in this occupation center around inspection and measurement activities, including "Inspect or measure finished workpieces to determine conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as gauges or micrometers," "Measure workpieces and lay out work, using precision measuring devices," and "Observe machine operations to detect any problems, making necessary adjustments to correct problems." These tasks are highly structured, standardized, and often repetitive, making them well-suited for automation. Sensors, machine vision systems, and real-time process monitoring can efficiently replace much of this human involvement, increasing productivity and consistency while reducing error rates. In contrast, the tasks most resistant to automation are those requiring a combination of dexterity, adaptability, and nuanced human judgment. These include "Slide spacers between buffs on spindles to set spacing," "Adjust air cylinders and setting stops to set traverse lengths and feed arm strokes," and "Thread and hand-feed materials through machine cutters or abraders." These activities involve physical manipulation, responsive adjustment, and sensory feedback that are challenging for automated systems to replicate effectively. Additionally, bottleneck skills such as originality, with levels at 2.0% and 1.8%, further impede automation. Originality—though not highly demanded—is crucial for problem-solving and improvising solutions on the shop floor, where unforeseen issues or variations frequently arise. This human element creates a significant barrier to full automation in this occupation.
Filter by Automatable Status
Measure workpieces and lay out work, using precision measuring devices.
Partially Automatable
Observe machine operations to detect any problems, making necessary adjustments to correct problems.
Partially Automatable
Move machine controls to index workpieces, and to adjust machines for pre-selected operational settings.
Automatable
Study blueprints, work orders, or machining instructions to determine product specifications, tool requirements, and operational sequences.
Partially Automatable
Select machine tooling to be used, using knowledge of machine and production requirements.
Partially Automatable
Mount and position tools in machine chucks, spindles, or other tool holding devices, using hand tools.
Non-Automatable
Activate machine start-up switches to grind, lap, hone, debar, shear, or cut workpieces, according to specifications.
Non-Automatable
Set and adjust machine controls according to product specifications, using knowledge of machine operation.
Partially Automatable
Brush or spray lubricating compounds on workpieces, or turn valve handles and direct flow of coolant against tools and workpieces.
Automatable
Lift and position workpieces, manually or with hoists, and secure them in hoppers or on machine tables, faceplates, or chucks, using clamps.
Non-Automatable
Repair or replace machine parts, using hand tools, or notify engineering personnel when corrective action is required.
Non-Automatable
Maintain stocks of machine parts and machining tools.
Partially Automatable
Thread and hand-feed materials through machine cutters or abraders.
Non-Automatable
Adjust air cylinders and setting stops to set traverse lengths and feed arm strokes.
Non-Automatable
Slide spacers between buffs on spindles to set spacing.
Non-Automatable
Inspect or measure finished workpieces to determine conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as gauges or micrometers.
Automatable
Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic workpieces.
Partially Automatable
Compute machine indexings and settings for specified dimensions and base reference points.
Automatable
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingActive LearningComplex Problem SolvingInstallationEquipment MaintenanceQuality Control AnalysisSystems EvaluationManagement of Financial ResourcesManagement of Personnel ResourcesTime ManagementWritingSpeakingMathematicsScienceLearning StrategiesMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionNegotiationInstructingService OrientationOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionProgrammingOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlTroubleshootingRepairingJudgment and Decision MakingSystems AnalysisManagement of Material Resources
Arm-Hand SteadinessAuditory AttentionCategory FlexibilityControl PrecisionDeductive ReasoningDepth PerceptionDynamic FlexibilityDynamic StrengthExplosive StrengthExtent FlexibilityFar VisionFinger DexterityFlexibility of ClosureFluency of IdeasGlare SensitivityGross Body CoordinationGross Body EquilibriumHearing SensitivityInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingManual DexterityMathematical ReasoningMemorizationMultilimb CoordinationNear VisionNight VisionNumber FacilityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionOriginalityPerceptual SpeedPeripheral VisionProblem SensitivityRate ControlReaction TimeResponse OrientationSelective AttentionSound LocalizationSpatial OrientationSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionSpeed of ClosureSpeed of Limb MovementStaminaStatic StrengthTime SharingTrunk StrengthVisual Color DiscriminationVisualizationWrist-Finger SpeedWritten ComprehensionWritten Expression
Administration and ManagementAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesProduction and ProcessingFood ProductionComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyDesignBuilding and ConstructionMechanicalMathematicsPhysicsChemistryBiologyPsychologySociology and AnthropologyGeographyHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyPublic Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaTransportationMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageEnglish LanguageFine ArtsEducation and TrainingTherapy and Counseling
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationProcessing InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsGetting InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentWorking with ComputersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDocumenting/Recording InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsTraining and Teaching OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesAnalyzing Data or InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Medium49.31%
Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems. May also install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to plans.
Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Low32.98%
Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium34.24%
Set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium48.15%
Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate, or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium33.25%
Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium34.93%
Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium35.75%
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.
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium47.82%
Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium44.70%
Set up, operate, or tend more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.
Tool and Die Makers
Medium42.07%
Analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine tools, and fit and assemble parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists' hand tools.
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
Medium39.82%
Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium50.87%
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut textiles.
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood
Medium37.16%
Set up, operate, or tend wood sawing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment. Includes lead sawyers.
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
Medium44.55%
Set up, operate, or tend woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood nailing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment.
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium57.80%
Set up, operate, or tend machines to crush, grind, or polish materials, such as coal, glass, grain, stone, food, or rubber.
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
Medium40.69%
Grind, sand, or polish, using hand tools or hand-held power tools, a variety of metal, wood, stone, clay, plastic, or glass objects. Includes chippers, buffers, and finishers.
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand
Medium56.41%
Use hand tools or hand-held power tools to cut and trim a variety of manufactured items, such as carpet, fabric, stone, glass, or rubber.
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium44.55%
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium44.16%
Set up, operate, or tend paper goods machines that perform a variety of functions, such as converting, sawing, corrugating, banding, wrapping, boxing, stitching, forming, or sealing paper or paperboard sheets into products.
Machine Feeders and Offbearers
High66.68%
Feed materials into or remove materials from machines or equipment that is automatic or tended by other workers.
Log Graders and Scalers
Medium49.42%
Grade logs or estimate the marketable content or value of logs or pulpwood in sorting yards, millpond, log deck, or similar locations. Inspect logs for defects or measure logs to determine volume.
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners
Low15.30%
Repair percussion, stringed, reed, or wind instruments. May specialize in one area, such as piano tuning.
Watch and Clock Repairers
Medium37.83%
Repair, clean, and adjust mechanisms of timing instruments, such as watches and clocks. Includes watchmakers, watch technicians, and mechanical timepiece repairers.
Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers
Medium42.63%
Install, service, adjust, or repair coin, vending, or amusement machines including video games, juke boxes, pinball machines, or slot machines.
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
Medium42.90%
Wind wire coils used in electrical components, such as resistors and transformers, and in electrical equipment and instruments, such as field cores, bobbins, armature cores, electrical motors, generators, and control equipment.
Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters
Low18.90%
Perform precision assembling or adjusting, within narrow tolerances, of timing devices such as digital clocks or timing devices with electrical or electronic components.
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium58.74%
Set up, operate, or tend machines to extrude or draw thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, wire, bars, or structural shapes.
Machinists
Medium41.66%
Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.
Pourers and Casters, Metal
Medium35.59%
Operate hand-controlled mechanisms to pour and regulate the flow of molten metal into molds to produce castings or ingots.
Foundry Mold and Coremakers
Medium45.76%
Make or form wax or sand cores or molds used in the production of metal castings in foundries.
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium43.49%
Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Medium34.63%
Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium47.79%
Set up, operate, or tend welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies. Includes workers who operate laser cutters or laser-beam machines.
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium50.59%
Set up, operate, or tend heating equipment, such as heat-treating furnaces, flame-hardening machines, induction machines, soaking pits, or vacuum equipment to temper, harden, anneal, or heat treat metal or plastic objects.
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium60.67%
Set up, operate, or tend plating machines to coat metal or plastic products with chromium, zinc, copper, cadmium, nickel, or other metal to protect or decorate surfaces. Typically, the product being coated is immersed in molten metal or an electrolytic solution.
Prepress Technicians and Workers
High75.59%
Format and proof text and images submitted by designers and clients into finished pages that can be printed. Includes digital and photo typesetting. May produce printing plates.
Printing Press Operators
Medium52.63%
Set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.
Print Binding and Finishing Workers
Low26.68%
Bind books and other publications or finish printed products by hand or machine. May set up binding and finishing machines.
Sewing Machine Operators
Medium33.40%
Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders
Medium41.68%
Operate or tend a variety of machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts.
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders
Medium56.98%
Operate or tend machines to bleach, shrink, wash, dye, or finish textiles or synthetic or glass fibers.
Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium52.16%
Set up, operate, or tend machines that knit, loop, weave, or draw in textiles.
Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium51.65%
Set up, operate, or tend machines that wind or twist textiles; or draw out and combine sliver, such as wool, hemp, or synthetic fibers. Includes slubber machine and drawing frame operators.
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
Medium46.54%
Set up, operate, or tend machines that extrude and form continuous filaments from synthetic materials, such as liquid polymer, rayon, and fiberglass.
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
Low29.58%
Cut, shape, and assemble wooden articles or set up and operate a variety of woodworking machines, such as power saws, jointers, and mortisers to surface, cut, or shape lumber or to fabricate parts for wood products.
Furniture Finishers
Low24.64%
Shape, finish, and refinish damaged, worn, or used furniture or new high-grade furniture to specified color or finish.
Model Makers, Wood
Medium42.20%
Construct full-size and scale wooden precision models of products. Includes wood jig builders and loft workers.
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium59.40%
Set up, operate, or tend machines to mix or blend materials, such as chemicals, tobacco, liquids, color pigments, or explosive ingredients.
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium57.10%
Set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
Medium51.07%
Operate or tend heating equipment other than basic metal, plastic, or food processing equipment. Includes activities such as annealing glass, drying lumber, curing rubber, removing moisture from materials, or boiling soap.
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
Medium34.83%
Design, fabricate, adjust, repair, or appraise jewelry, gold, silver, other precious metals, or gems.
Gem and Diamond Workers
Medium45.82%
Fabricate, finish, or evaluate the quality of gems and diamonds used in jewelry or industrial tools.
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
Medium42.63%
Cut, grind, and polish eyeglasses, contact lenses, or other precision optical elements. Assemble and mount lenses into frames or process other optical elements. Includes precision lens polishers or grinders, centerer-edgers, and lens mounters.
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
Medium35.73%
Paint, coat, or decorate articles, such as furniture, glass, plateware, pottery, jewelry, toys, books, or leather.
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium42.67%
Set up, operate, or tend spraying or rolling machines to coat or paint any of a wide variety of products, including glassware, cloth, ceramics, metal, plastic, paper, or wood, with lacquer, silver, copper, rubber, varnish, glaze, enamel, oil, or rust-proofing materials. Includes painters of transportation vehicles such as painters in auto body repair facilities.
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
Medium58.43%
Operate computer-controlled tools, machines, or robots to machine or process parts, tools, or other work pieces made of metal, plastic, wood, stone, or other materials. May also set up and maintain equipment.
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
Medium51.08%
Operate or tend bonding machines that use adhesives to join items for further processing or to form a completed product. Processes include joining veneer sheets into plywood; gluing paper; or joining rubber and rubberized fabric parts, plastic, simulated leather, or other materials.
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
High69.86%
Operate or tend machines to wash or clean products, such as barrels or kegs, glass items, tin plate, food, pulp, coal, plastic, or rubber, to remove impurities.
Etchers and Engravers
Medium44.61%
Engrave or etch metal, wood, rubber, or other materials. Includes such workers as etcher-circuit processors, pantograph engravers, and silk screen etchers.
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Medium44.30%
Mold, shape, form, cast, or carve products such as food products, figurines, tile, pipes, and candles consisting of clay, glass, plaster, concrete, stone, or combinations of materials.
Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing
Low13.87%
Cut or carve stone according to diagrams and patterns.
Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers
Medium36.98%
Shape molten glass according to patterns.
Potters, Manufacturing
Medium37.41%
Operate production machines such as pug mill, jigger machine, or potter's wheel to process clay in manufacture of ceramic, pottery and stoneware products.
Helpers--Production Workers
Medium60.30%
Help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment
Medium33.55%
Wash or otherwise clean vehicles, machinery, and other equipment. Use such materials as water, cleaning agents, brushes, cloths, and hoses.