Will AI replace Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Estimated risk score: 13 out of 100
Very low replacement risk
Estimate from published task research, not reviewed by a person · how we estimate
Within about 19 points for 4 in 5 of the jobs we checked (0 to 32).
For the occupation as a whole, from ratings of its 16 O*NET tasks published in 2023 and calibrated to our hand scores. A specialty inside it can sit higher or lower.
O*NET-SOC 51-4034.00 · Production
Tasks rated in 2023 as ones AI could do or speed up
Tasks a GPT-4-class model could do, or do in half the time or less: 2 of its 16 rated tasks. In O*NET’s words.
- Compute unspecified dimensions and machine settings, using knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
- Select cutting tools and tooling instructions, according to written specifications or knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
Tasks rated in 2023 as not sped up by AI
Tasks such a model was rated as not speeding up or taking over: 13 of its 16 rated tasks; the first 6 are shown. In O*NET’s words.
- Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances.
- Crank machines through cycles, stopping to adjust tool positions and machine controls to ensure specified timing, clearances, and tolerances.
- Install holding fixtures, cams, gears, and stops to control stock and tool movement, using hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments.
- Lift metal stock or workpieces manually or using hoists, and position and secure them in machines, using fasteners and hand tools.
- Move controls to set cutting speeds and depths and feed rates, and to position tools in relation to workpieces.
- Move toolholders manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to feed tools to and along workpieces.
What the job is
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.
Also called: Hobber, Chucker, Bar Turner, Lathe Hand, Nut Tapper, Axle Turner, Bar Pointer, Gear Cutter.
Related jobs, estimated
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plasticestimate ±1912Very low
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plasticestimate ±1912Very low
- Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plasticestimate ±1911Very low
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plasticestimate ±1910Very low
Source. This site includes information from the O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. (O*NET, CC BY 4.0.) Task ratings: Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock (2023), “GPTs are GPTs: An Early Look at the Labor Market Impact Potential of Large Language Models”, data used under the MIT licence (licence texts). Our change: we averaged the ratings over this occupation’s tasks and calibrated them to our 0–100 scale. It is not a prediction about any one person and not career advice. Disagree? Write to hello@yourstopwashit.com. How we estimate