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Cutting Machine Operators set up and operate hydraulic power shears to cut steel and metal objects, such as plates, sheets, or bars, to specified dimensions or angles.

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION

Cutting Machine Operators may:

Read work orders or receive oral instructions

Position and clamp side guides and stops for correct length and angle of cut

Position material to be cut against side guides and stops

Start machine which clamps the workplace and lowers the blade to cut metal

Lay out the cutting lines on the metal

Cut the workplace following markings

Tilt bed or blade or install fixtures to shear, bevel, or trim fabricated items

Operate a portable shear to cut sheet metal

Inspect cut material to ensure that it meets work order specifications

The tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Occupational Specialties included within this MOIScript:

615.682-018 SHEAR OPERATORS, also known as Power Shear Operators, set up, operate, or tend power shears that cut metal objects, such as sheets, plates, billets, or bars, to specified lengths.

615.482-010 ANGLE SHEAR OPERATORS set up and operate shearing machines equipped with sets of cutting dies or blades to shear structural shapes, such as angles, channels, and Z-bars, to a specific length or bevel.

615.682-010 FLYING-SHEAR OPERATORS set up and operate mill equipment, such as flying shears, guides, and crop or entry gates, to cut steel products to specified lengths.

615.662-010 SLITTING-MACHINE OPERATORS set up and operate slitting machines to cut sheet metal into strips of specified widths.

607.685-010 METAL CUT-OFF SAW TENDERS attend band or circular saws to cut miter (fit two pieces of stock together usually at a 45 degree angle) or groove stock made of bar, tube, or sheet metal to specified dimensions or shapes.

607.685-014 DEBRIDGING MACHINE OPERATORS tend circular saws that cut metal connectors from the bottom length of very small cement-filled holes forced in aluminum to give it a certain shape in manufacturing windows and doors.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Cutting Machine Operators generally work with other production workers in production shops. Newly trained Operators work under the direction of fully qualified Operators or supervisors.

Cutting Machine Operators usually work in factories. Operators employed in metal or auto production may work in hot, noisy, and dusty areas. New methods of reducing these discomforts are being developed tom improve working conditions.

Most Cutting Machine Operators usually work a 5-day, 40-hour week. They might be required to work overtime. During slow periods, Cutting Machine Operators are subject to layoffs.

Cutting Machine Operators may be union members. The unions vary by industry. Major unions include the United Steelworkers of America and the United Auto Workers. Metal Cutting Operators who are union members must pay periodic dues. The amount of the dues varies by union.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities dealing with things and objects

• Activities which involve the use of machines, processes, or methods

• Activities of a routine, organized nature

You Should Be Able To:

• Repeat activities of short duration following a required sequence

• Work with little supervision

• Reach precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Check your work against measurable standards

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

Find the number of strokes required to machine a 10-in. piece of mild steel with a cutting speed of 100 ft./min.

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Most shaper cutting tools require only a small amount of relief, generally 3 to 5 degrees of the end and side relief. Side rake angles vary, depending on the material that is being machined. Steel requires 10 to 15 degrees of side rake. Cast iron requires 5 to 10 degrees of side rake, while aluminum requires 20 to 30 degrees.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare an order form for new cutting supplies.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Analytical skills and be detail oriented in calculating figures, operating cutting machines, and following job specifications.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 MATH , 2300 METALS , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM***

049 MACHINE TOOL OPERATION/SHOP

Approved vocational education programs in Machine Tool Operation and Machine Shop prepare students to shape metal parts on machines such as lathes, grinders, drill presses, milling machines, and shapers. Programs may also train individuals in the use of one machine. Instruction includes calculating dimensions; using precision measuring instruments such as layout tools, micrometers, and gages; machining and heat-treating various metals; and in laying out machine parts.

Courses in other trade and industrial programs may be required for completion of this program.

050 SHEET METAL

Approved vocational education program in Sheet Metal prepare students to make, install, maintain, and repair items made of steel, copper, stainless steel, or aluminum. Instruction includes the use of hand tools and special machines such as cornice brakes, forming rolls, and squaring shears.

Courses in other trade and industrial programs may be required for completion of this program.

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript  

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program  

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

 ***MILITARY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript

A high school diploma is not required for most Cutting Machine Operator jobs. However, employers often prefer high school graduates who have taken courses in mathematics, machine shop, and blueprint reading.  

E-Learning Courses and Programs  

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

There are few opportunities for direct experience in this occupation. Secondary vocational education programs in machine tool operation/shop and sheet metal may offer a co-op portion that includes practical experience.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Cutting Machine Operator employer

internships

volunteer work with a Cutting Machine Operator employer

community service work with an agency

Most Metal Cutting Machine Operators find positions through direct application to employers. Jobs may be located by contacting local offices of Michigan Works! or a local union. Newspapers want ads may list job openings. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

            Michigan Talent Bank ( http://www.michworks.org/mtb/user/MTB_EMPL.EntryMainPage )

America's Job Bank ( http://www.ajb.dni.us )

Classifieds Employment ( http://www.classifieds2000.com )

Yahoo! Careers ( http://careers.yahoo.com/ )

MONSTER.COM  ( http://www.monster.com )  

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Cutting Machine Operators vary according to the industry, the individual's experience, the extent of unionization and geographic location. Some Cutting Machine Operators may be paid on a piecework basis.

Nationally, the median earnings of metal and plastic working machine operators, which included Cutting Machine Operators, were about $485 a week in 2001 or about $12.13 per hour.  The median hourly earnings of  "all" workers in the U.S. were $14.92 in 2001.

Most unionized Cutting Machine Operators employed in the auto industry earned from $22.76 to $23.13 per hour in mid 2002. These workers also receive a cost-of-living allowance.

Cutter Operators working in manufacturing settings in Michigan earned an average of $15.41 per hour in early 2002.

Some Cutting Machine Operators receive incentive pay and periodic cost-of-living increases in addition to their base hourly pay.

Most Cutting Machine Operators receive paid holidays and vacations; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; retirement plans; and paid sick leave. In the auto industry, employees receive supplemental unemployment benefits during layoffs and short workweeks.

Some workers may also receive dental and optical benefits. These benefits are paid for, at least in part, by employers.

Most Cutting Machine Operators learn this occupation through on-the-job training lasting from a few days to over six months. Advancement for Cutting Machine Operators is limited. However, Operators may move to positions requiring greater skill and/or supervisory abilities. Seniority, experience, and training are the most important factors affecting promotion.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK  

Nationally, more than 371,700 Cutting Machine Operators were employed in 2000. Employment of Cutting Machine Operators is expected to decrease through the year 2010. The need to replace experienced Operators who transfer to other jobs or stop working is still expected to account for some job openings in this occupation. The industry distribution for Cutting Machine Operators looked like this:

The demand for Cutting Machine Operators will decrease because of increased foreign imports, the use of computer operated equipment, and improved manufacturing technology. In addition, many U.S. firms have moved production operations to other countries in order to lower costs.

There are about 15,675 Cutting Machine Operators employed in Michigan. All of them worked in the durable goods manufacturing industry.

Employment of Cutting Machine Operators is expected to decline through the year 2008. An average of 400 openings annually will be due to replacement of workers who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations. The increasing use of newer, more efficient cutting machines may limit growth in the occupation. Increasing imports of metal parts will also reduce the demand for these workers.  

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2008  

 EMPLOYMENT                           NUMBER               PERCENT              PROJECTED YEARLY

  REGION                                      EMPLOYED           GROWTH              JOB OPENINGS  

  Ann Arbor Area                            2,380                       -30.0                      60

  Battle Creek Area                         330                           -10.7                      8

  Benton Harbor Area                     505                           -18.1                      13

  Central Michigan                           175                           -16.6                      4

  Detroit MSA                                 7,340                        -23.2                      185

  East Central Michigan                    50                                4.0                      1

  Flint Area                                      660                           -37.7                      17

  Grand Rapids Area                       1,420                          -9.4                      36

  Jackson Area                                460                           -15.0                      12

  Kalamazoo Area                           270                           -16.2                       7

  Lansing MSA                               130                            -27.3                       3

  Muskegon Area                            335                            -13.2                       8

  Northeast Lower Peninsula            65                              -7.8                         2

  Northwest Lower Peninsula           205                            -3.9                         5

  Saginaw MSA                               1,045                        -23.5                        26

  Thumb Area                                   230                         -11.4                         6

  Upper Peninsula                             120                           2.5                           3

  West Central Michigan                   75                             0.0                           2

 MSA designates a Metropolitan Statistical Area

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below:

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Cutting Machine Operator can be summarized by the following:

Copyright © 2003 Michigan Department of Career Development