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How exposed to AI is a Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?

Of the 16 tasks O*NET lists for lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic, 0 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 15 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
CNC Lathe Operator (Computer Numerical Control Lathe Operator)CNC Setup Operator (Computer Numerical Control Setup Operator)Lathe OperatorMachine OperatorNumerical Control Operator (NC Operator)Screw Machine OperatorScrew Machine Tool SetterSetup OperatorTurn Operator
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
16
tasks rated for this occupation
10%
hold a degree, from a survey of 23
20k
people do this job in the US
83 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

1
  • Select cutting tools and tooling instructions, according to written specifications or knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics

Cannot be sped up

15
  • Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances
  • Replace worn tools, and sharpen dull cutting tools and dies, using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines
  • Inspect sample workpieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators
  • Start lathe or turning machines and observe operations to ensure that specifications are met
  • Position, secure, and align cutting tools in toolholders on machines, using hand tools, and verify their positions with measuring instruments
  • Crank machines through cycles, stopping to adjust tool positions and machine controls to ensure specified timing, clearances, and tolerances
  • Study blueprints, layouts or charts, and job orders for information on specifications and tooling instructions, and to determine material requirements and operational sequences
  • Move controls to set cutting speeds and depths and feed rates, and to position tools in relation to workpieces
  • Refill, change, and monitor the level of fluids, such as oil and coolant, in machines
  • Install holding fixtures, cams, gears, and stops to control stock and tool movement, using hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments
  • Compute unspecified dimensions and machine settings, using knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics
  • Lift metal stock or workpieces manually or using hoists, and position and secure them in machines, using fasteners and hand tools
  • Move toolholders manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to feed tools to and along workpieces
  • Turn valve handles to direct the flow of coolant onto work areas or to coat disks with spinning compounds
  • Mount attachments, such as relieving or tracing attachments, to perform operations, such as duplicating contours of templates or trimming workpieces
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.