What Machinists and Tool and Die Makers Do

Machinists and tool and die makers set up and operate a variety of computer-controlled and mechanically-controlled machine tools to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools.

Duties

Machinists typically do the following:

    Work from blueprints, sketches or computer-aided design (CAD), and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) files

    Set up, operate, and disassemble manual, automatic, and computer-numeric controlled (CNC) machine tools

    Align, secure, and adjust cutting tools and workpieces

    Monitor the feed and speed of machines

    Turn, mill, drill, shape, and grind machine parts to specifications

    Measure, examine, and test completed products for defects

    Smooth the surfaces of parts or products

    Present finished workpieces to customers and make modifications if needed

Tool and die makers typically do the following:

    Read blueprints, sketches, specifications, or CAD and CAM files for making tools and dies

    Compute and verify dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of workpieces

    Set up, operate, and disassemble conventional, manual, and computer-numeric controlled (CNC) machine tools

    File, grind, and adjust parts so that they fit together properly

    Test completed tools and dies to ensure that they meet specifications

    Smooth and polish the surfaces of tools and dies

Machinists use machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, and grinders, to produce precision metal parts. These tools are either manually controlled or computer-numerically controlled (CNC). CNC machines control the cutting tool speed and do all necessary cuts to create a part. The machinist determines the cutting path, the speed of the cut, and the feed rate by programming instructions into the CNC machine. Many machinists must be able to use both manual and computer-controlled machinery in their jobs.

Although workers may produce large quantities of one part, precision machinists often produce small batches or one-of-a-kind items. The parts that machinists make range from simple bolts of steel to titanium bone screws for orthopedic implants. Hydraulic parts, anti-lock brakes, and automobile pistons are other widely known products that machinists make.

Some machinists repair or make new parts for existing machinery. After an industrial machinery mechanic discovers a broken part in a machine, a machinist would need to remanufacture the broken part. The machinist refers to blueprints and performs the same machining operations that were used to create the original part in order to create the replacement.

Because the technology of machining is changing rapidly, workers must learn to operate a wide range of machines. Some newer manufacturing processes use lasers, water jets, electrical discharge machines (EDM), and electrified wires to cut the workpiece. Although some of the computer controls are similar to those of other machine tools, machinists must understand the unique capabilities of different machines. As engineers create new types of machine tools, machinists constantly must learn new machining properties and techniques.

Toolmakers craft precision tools that are used to cut, shape, and form metal and other materials. They also produce jigs and fixtures—devices that hold metal while it is bored, stamped, or drilled—and gauges and other measuring devices.

Die makers construct metal forms, called dies, that are used to shape metal in stamping and forging operations. They also make metal molds for die casting and for molding plastics, ceramics, and composite materials.

Many tool and die makers use computer-aided design (CAD) to develop products and parts. Designs are entered into computer programs that electronically develop blueprints for the required tools and dies. Computer-numeric control programmers, found in the metal and plastic machine workers profile, convert computer-aided designs into computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programs that contain instructions for a sequence of cutting tool operations. Once these programs are developed, CNC machines follow the set of instructions contained in the program to produce the part. Machinists normally operate CNC machines, but tool and die makers often are trained to both operate CNC machines and write CNC programs; they may do either task.