Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, & Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, & Tenders, Metal & Plastic

Also called: Centerless Grinder Operator, Grinder, Grinder Operator

Career Cluster: Manufacturing
What they do:
Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.
On the job, you would:
  • Inspect or measure finished workpieces to determine conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as gauges or micrometers.
  • Measure workpieces and lay out work, using precision measuring devices.
  • Observe machine operations to detect any problems, making necessary adjustments to correct problems.
KNOWLEDGE

Math and Science
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
  • manufacture and distribution of products
SKILLS

Basic Skills
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • reading work related information
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
ABILITIES

Visual Understanding
  • quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things
  • see hidden patterns
Hand and Finger Use
  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady
Controlled Movement
  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
  • use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down
Reaction Time and Speed
  • quickly move your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command
PERSONALITY

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

They do well at jobs that need:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Self Control
  • Cooperation
  • Integrity
  • Achievement/Effort
TECHNOLOGY

You might use software like this on the job:

Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel
Office suite software
  • Microsoft Office software
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • SAP software
EDUCATION


high school diploma/GED or certificate after high school
usually needed
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JOB OUTLOOK

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Salary:
High: $59,990.00
Median: $42,610.00
Low: $32,960.00
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