Profession lathe and turning machine operator

Lathe and turning machine operators set up, program and tend lathe and turning machines designed to cut excess metal from a metal workpiece using a hardened cutting tool moved by computer-controlled motors. They read lathe and turning machine blueprints and tooling instructions, perform regular machine maintenance, and make adjustments to the lathe controls, such as the depth of cuts and the rotation speed.

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Personality Type

Knowledge

  • Statistical process control

    Method of quality control that uses statistics to monitor processes.

  • CAM software

    Different tools for computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to control machinery and machine tools in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation as part of the manufacturing processes of workpieces.

  • Geometry

    Branch of mathematics related to questions of shape, size, relative position of figures and the properties of space.

  • CAE software

    The software to perform computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis tasks such as Finite Element Analysis and Computional Fluid Dynamics.

  • CAD software

    The computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.

  • CADD software

    The computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) is the use of computer technology for design and design documentation. CAD software replaces manual drafting with an automated process.

  • Quality and cycle time optimisation

    The most optimal rotation or cycle time and over-all quality of a tool or a machine's processes.

  • Trigonometry

    The subdiscipline of mathematics which explores relationships among angles and lengths of triangles.

  • Quality standards

    The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.

  • Manufacturing processes

    The steps required through which a material is transformed into a product, its development and full-scale manufacturing.

Skills

  • Use CAM software

    Use computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programmes to control machinery and machine tools in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation as part of the manufacturing processes of workpieces.

  • Consult technical resources

    Read and interpret such technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.

  • Operate precision measuring equipment

    Measure the size of a processed part when checking and marking it to check if it is up to standard by use of two and three dimensional precision measuring equipment such as a caliper, a micrometer, and a measuring gauge.

  • Perform machine maintenance

    Perform regular maintenance, possibly including corrections and alterations, on a machine or machine tool to ensure it remains in a proper productive state.

  • Remove processed workpiece

    Remove individual workpieces after processing, from the manufacturing machine or the machine tool. In case of a conveyor belt this involves quick, continuous movement.

  • Apply control process statistical methods

    Apply statistical methods from Design of Experiments (DOE) and Statistical Process Control (SPC) in order to control manufacturing processes.

  • Use automatic programming

    Utilise specialised software tools to generate computer code from specifications, such as diagrams, structured informations or other means of describing functionality.

  • Interpret geometric dimensions and tolerances

    Understand and assess the models and symbolic language of the GD&T system indicating engineering tolerances.

  • Supply machine

    Ensure the machine is fed the necessary and adequate materials and control the placement or automatic feed and retrieval of work pieces in the machines or machine tools on the production line.

  • Troubleshoot

    Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.

  • Dispose of cutting waste material

    Dispose of possibly hazardous waste material created in the cutting process, such as swarf, scrap and slugs, sort according to regulations, and clean up workplace.

  • Use CAD software

    Use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.

  • Set up the controller of a machine

    Set up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.

  • Ensure equipment availability

    Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.

  • Perform test run

    Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.

  • Read standard blueprints

    Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.

  • Monitor automated machines

    Continuously check up on the automated machine's set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.

  • Remove inadequate workpieces

    Evaluate which deficient processed workpieces do not meet the set-up standard and should be removed and sort the waste according to regulations.

Optional knowledge and skills

manufacturing of cutlery manufacturing of metal assembly products manufacturing of steam generators manufacturing of steel drums and similar containers manufacturing of tools provide advice to technicians non-ferrous metal processing manufacturing of door furniture from metal record production data for quality control keep records of work progress ferrous metal processing manufacturing of weapons and ammunition cutting technologies tend computer numerical control lathe machine mechanics maintain mechanical equipment manufacturing of light metal packaging procure mechanical machinery manufacturing of doors from metal inspect quality of products program a cnc controller manufacturing of metal containers types of metal manufacturing of heating equipment mark processed workpiece liaise with managers manufacturing of metal household articles manufacturing of metal structures types of metal manufacturing processes supply machine with appropriate tools monitor stock level work ergonomically electrical engineering

Source: Sisyphus ODB