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Manufacturing & Production · Updated Aug 2026

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, milling and engraving machines, and jig borers to make working models of metal or plastic objects. Includes template makers.

JVS 2.0.0-phase4b
AI Exposure
59/100
Moderate

How much of this occupation’s work can be materially affected by current AI systems.

Replacement Risk
55/100
Moderate

How likely exposure is to translate into reduced human demand.

Includes provisional estimates for AI adoption pressure and labour-market resilience. How this is measured

Evidence quality
Confidence82/100
Task coverage85%

Confidence reflects task coverage, mapping and capability-evidence quality, and how much of the score rests on provisional inputs.

Task-level evidence

What is driving the score?

Occupation scores are built from the task mix—not a single prediction about a job title.

JVS 2.0.0-phase4b
TaskImportanceAI impactExposure
Study blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine material dimensions, required equipment, and operations sequences.High
79
Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, drill presses, punch presses, or bandsaws, to fabricate prototypes or models.High
74
Program computer numerical control (CNC) machines to fabricate model parts.High
77
Record specifications, production operations, and final dimensions of models for use in establishing operating standards and procedures.Medium
80
Rework or alter component model or parts as required to ensure that products meet standards.High
81
Use computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software or hardware to fabricate model parts.Medium
78
Devise and construct tools, dies, molds, jigs, and fixtures, or modify existing tools and equipment.Medium
75
Consult and confer with engineering personnel to discuss developmental problems and to recommend product modifications.Medium
76
Inspect and test products to verify conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments or circuit testers.High
39
Drill, countersink, and ream holes in parts and assemblies for bolts, screws, and other fasteners, using power tools.High
24
Cut, shape, and form metal parts, using lathes, power saws, snips, power brakes and shears, files, and mallets.High
19
Align, fit, and join parts, using bolts and screws or by welding or gluing.Medium
19
Most exposed

Where AI can do more

Routine, digitized, and highly repeatable tasks face the greatest pressure.

  1. Rework or alter component model or parts as required to ensure that products meet standards.81
  2. Record specifications, production operations, and final dimensions of models for use in establishing operating standards and procedures.80
  3. Study blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine material dimensions, required equipment, and operations sequences.79
  4. Use computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software or hardware to fabricate model parts.78
Hardest to automate

Where people still matter

These tasks score lowest on automation feasibility—physical presence, judgement, accountability and real-world variability all resist end-to-end automation.

  1. Cut, shape, and form metal parts, using lathes, power saws, snips, power brakes and shears, files, and mallets.01
  2. Align, fit, and join parts, using bolts and screws or by welding or gluing.02
  3. Drill, countersink, and ream holes in parts and assemblies for bolts, screws, and other fasteners, using power tools.03
  4. Inspect and test products to verify conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments or circuit testers.04
  5. Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, drill presses, punch presses, or bandsaws, to fabricate prototypes or models.05
Where else this work leads

Related occupations

Occupations O*NET links to this one. Relatedness reflects shared work, not a claim that these roles are safer.

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AI risk 45

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Related work

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Beyond AI capability

Adoption and labour-market outlook

Structural factors are kept separate from raw capability so you can see what actually resists automation. Adoption pressure and labour-market resilience are still provisional models—25% of this occupation’s replacement-risk weight rests on them.

Human dependency47
Physical dependency60
Adoption pressure42
Labour-market resilience52
Methodology & sources

O*NET 30.3 occupational data interpreted through the JobsVsAI capability, automation and structural-constraint models.

Confidence82/100
CalculatedAug 21, 2026
Read methodology →