A professional who sets up and operates numerical control machine to cut, shape, or form metal workpieces to specifications. Respnsibilities include:

• Reviews setup sheet and specifications to determine setup procedure, machining sequence, and dimensions of finished workpiece.
• Attaches fixture to machine bed and positions and secures workpiece in fixture according to setup instructions, using clamps, bolts, handtools, power tools, and measuring instruments, such as rule and calipers.
• Assembles cutting tools in toolholders and positions toolholders in machine spindles as specified, using handtools, or inserts cutting tools in specified machine magazines.
• Loads control media, such as disk, tape, or punch card, in machine control console or enters commands to retrieve preprogrammed machine instructions from data base.
• Manipulates controls and enters commands to index cutting tool to specified set point and to start machine.
• Observes and listens to machine operation to detect malfunctions, such as worn or damaged cutting tools.
• Changes cutting tools and location of workpiece during machining process as specified in setup instructions.
• Measures workpiece for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as micrometers, dial indicators, and gauges.
• Notifies supervisor of discrepancies.
• May adjust machine feed and speed and change cutters to machine parts according to specifications when automatic programming is faulty or machine malfunctions.
• May machine materials other than metal, such as composites, plastic, and rubber.