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Manufacturing & Production · Updated Aug 2026

Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.

JVS 2.0.0-phase4b
AI Exposure
44/100
Moderate

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

Replacement Risk
45/100
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 coverage88%

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
Position, adjust, and secure stock material or workpieces against stops, on arbors, or in chucks, fixtures, or automatic feeding mechanisms, manually or using hoists.High
70
Read blueprints or job orders to determine product specifications and tooling instructions and to plan operational sequences.High
68
Inspect workpieces for defects, and measure workpieces to determine accuracy of machine operation, using rules, templates, or other measuring instruments.High
57
Select the proper coolants and lubricants and start their flow.Medium
70
Start machines and turn handwheels or valves to engage feeding, cooling, and lubricating mechanisms.Medium
68
Compute data, such as gear dimensions or machine settings, applying knowledge of shop mathematics.Medium
68
Set machine stops or guides to specified lengths as indicated by scales, rules, or templates.High
68
Record operational data, such as pressure readings, lengths of strokes, feed rates, or speeds.Medium
70
Observe machine operation to detect workpiece defects or machine malfunctions, adjusting machines as necessary.High
32
Select, install, and adjust alignment of drills, cutters, dies, guides, and holding devices, using templates, measuring instruments, and hand tools.High
22
Change worn machine accessories, such as cutting tools or brushes, using hand tools.High
23
Remove burrs, sharp edges, rust, or scale from workpieces, using files, hand grinders, wire brushes, or power tools.Medium
24
Perform minor machine maintenance, such as oiling or cleaning machines, dies, or workpieces, or adding coolant to machine reservoirs.Medium
24
Measure and mark reference points and cutting lines on workpieces, using traced templates, compasses, and rules.High
23
Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, cutters, shears, borers, millers, grinders, presses, drills, or auxiliary machines, to make metallic and plastic workpieces.High
23
Make minor electrical and mechanical repairs and adjustments to machines and notify supervisors when major service is required.Medium
24
Move controls or mount gears, cams, or templates in machines to set feed rates and cutting speeds, depths, and angles.Medium
22
Most exposed

Where AI can do more

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

  1. Position, adjust, and secure stock material or workpieces against stops, on arbors, or in chucks, fixtures, or automatic feeding mechanisms, manually or using hoists.70
  2. Select the proper coolants and lubricants and start their flow.70
  3. Record operational data, such as pressure readings, lengths of strokes, feed rates, or speeds.70
  4. Read blueprints or job orders to determine product specifications and tooling instructions and to plan operational sequences.68
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. Move controls or mount gears, cams, or templates in machines to set feed rates and cutting speeds, depths, and angles.01
  2. Select, install, and adjust alignment of drills, cutters, dies, guides, and holding devices, using templates, measuring instruments, and hand tools.02
  3. Change worn machine accessories, such as cutting tools or brushes, using hand tools.03
  4. Measure and mark reference points and cutting lines on workpieces, using traced templates, compasses, and rules.04
  5. Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, cutters, shears, borers, millers, grinders, presses, drills, or auxiliary machines, to make metallic and plastic workpieces.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 49

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Closely related work

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AI risk 45

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

Closely related work

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AI risk 47

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

Closely 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 dependency61
Physical dependency62
Adoption pressure62
Labour-market resilience60
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 →