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How exposed to AI is a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?

Of the 18 tasks O*NET lists for grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic, 0 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 16 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
Cell OperatorCenterless Grinder OperatorDeburrerDie Maintenance TechnicianFinisherGrinderGrinder OperatorGrinding Machine OperatorProcess Equipment Operator
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
18
tasks rated for this occupation
0%
hold a degree, from a survey of 24
68k
people do this job in the US
59 of 107
least protected in production

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Only with software built on top

2
  • Select machine tooling to be used, using knowledge of machine and production requirements
  • Repair or replace machine parts, using hand tools, or notify engineering personnel when corrective action is required

Cannot be sped up

16
  • 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
  • Observe machine operations to detect any problems, making necessary adjustments to correct problems
  • Move machine controls to index workpieces, and to adjust machines for pre-selected operational settings
  • Study blueprints, work orders, or machining instructions to determine product specifications, tool requirements, and operational sequences
  • Mount and position tools in machine chucks, spindles, or other tool holding devices, using hand tools
  • Activate machine start-up switches to grind, lap, hone, debar, shear, or cut workpieces, according to specifications
  • 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
  • Set and adjust machine controls according to product specifications, using knowledge of machine operation
  • Brush or spray lubricating compounds on workpieces, or turn valve handles and direct flow of coolant against tools and workpieces
  • Lift and position workpieces, manually or with hoists, and secure them in hoppers or on machine tables, faceplates, or chucks, using clamps
  • Compute machine indexings and settings for specified dimensions and base reference points
  • Maintain stocks of machine parts and machining tools
  • Thread and hand-feed materials through machine cutters or abraders
  • Adjust air cylinders and setting stops to set traverse lengths and feed arm strokes
  • Slide spacers between buffs on spindles to set spacing
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET 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. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.