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Machinist Occupational Videos
Machine Setters and Tenders
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Machine Tenders are normally entry level employees who are responsible for the hour by hour running of the machines. The machine setters, or sometimes lead-men, are individuals who have been tenders and have developed the skills necessary to set up several machines and help the Machine Tenders keep the production going. The Machine Setters are responsible for a group of machines.
Machinists
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The name Machinist encompasses a large and diversified field. The Machinist may be specialized in a few areas or have a general knowledge of a large number of machines. These areas can include conventional machines (hand operated), such as lathes, mills, grinders, and drill presses. The machinist could be responsible for running a CNC costing millions of dollars. These machines are controlled by a computer and knowledge of computers and programming is required
Numerical control machine operator
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If you were just watching a CNC machinist work, it would look like he just had to push a button and the machine would do the rest. This is far from the truth. The CNC machinist must pay close attention to details and have a working knowledge of things most people have no idea of, such as machine codes, coordinate systems, and tool offsets.
Numerical control and process control programmers
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The CNC programmers are towards the top of the machinist trades when it comes to skill and pay scale. A programmer has often been a machinist first, thus learning all the basics before ever getting into programming. These individuals must not only know how to run the machines but to make the, sometimes, very complicated computer programs necessary to produce a part. They will produce the control codes necessary to run everything from molds that produce plastic toys to parts for space travel.
Tool and Die Makers
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Tool and Die makers are machinists that have worked in the field for 3 to 5 years minimum. These machinists are normally in charge of several other less experienced machinists and are responsible for making the complicated molds and dies that are used to manufacture other parts such as car parts or plastic consumer goods. Like programmers, they are highly paid for their skills.
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