Machinists are skilled tradesmen and women who work with tools such as lathes, milling machines, and grinders to produce precision metal parts. They plan and carry out the operations needed to make machined products that meet precise specifications.
Machinists go to school to learn their trade or they may be trained on the job, depending on if the employer chooses to do so.
Some machinists choose to undergo apprenticeships before taking full-time jobs. These internships allow the machinist to be guided by experts in their field. They can gain valuable experience and on-the-job training.
Machinists work on creating small amounts of products or highly specialized products. They must have a solid knowledge of the working properties of metal and at least a basic knowledge of chemistry. They should know trigonometry and geometry and blueprint reading, metalworking, and drafting.
Before they begin a project, machinists examine and interpret blueprints. They read over the customer or client's orders and determine if they have the correct materials. Then they order the materials or locate them in their facility.
Machinists then calculate where to cut or bore into the workpiece, or the piece of steel, aluminum, titanium, plastic, silicon, or any other material that is being shaped.
They may eye it or use precise measurements so that no mistakes are made in calculations.
Machinists then feed the piece into the machine and remove material as it flows along. They plan the sequence of cutting and finishing operations and mark the work piece to show where cuts should be made.
The piece is then laid out to be cut, either on a drill press, lathe, or milling machine. Controls are set and the machinist makes the appropriate cuts. The product begins to take shape.
The work piece is properly lubricated and cooled after removal. Monitoring of temperature is very important. During the process, machinists must adjust the size of their cuts relative to the temperature.
The best machinist jobs are typically at machine shops. These well-lit, ventilated shops are ideal for a machinist's work. There they have all the tools and metals needed at their disposal.
Machinists stand most of the day and work with very hot temperatures and metals. The work may put a strain on the back and eyes. Machinists must exercise caution when handling hazardous coolants and lubricants, although many common water-based lubricants present little hazard.
Machinists operate a wide variety of machines. The machines may be computer-controlled or manual. Machinists often work in enclosed spaces so they are protected from chemicals, noise, and debris.
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the employment of machinists is declining, albeit at a slow pace. Job prospects are still expected to be good.
Machinists held about 421,500 jobs in 2008, the BLS reports. About 78 percent of machinists work in manufacturing industries, such as machine shops and machinery, motor vehicle and parts, aerospace products and parts, and other transportation equipment manufacturing. Maintenance machinists work in most industries that use production machinery.
