Production & ManufacturingO*NET: 51-9032.00
Will AI Replace Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
88out of 100
Critical Risk
AI Risk Score
88/100
Risk Level
Critical
Job Zone
2/5
Entry
Total Tasks Analyzed
16
🤖 What AI Can Do
- ▸Review work orders, blueprints, specifications, or job samples to determine components, settings, and adjustments for cutting and slicing machines.
- ▸Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices, such as rulers, micrometers, or scales.
- ▸Start machines to verify setups, and make any necessary adjustments.
- ▸Monitor operation of cutting or slicing machines to detect malfunctions or to determine whether supplies need replenishment.
- ▸Stack and sort cut material for packaging, further processing, or shipping, according to types and sizes of material.
- ▸Remove completed materials or products from cutting or slicing machines, and stack or store them for additional processing.
👤 What Requires Humans
- ▸Move stock or scrap to and from machines manually, or by using carts, handtrucks, or lift trucks.
- ▸Select and install machine components, such as cutting blades, rollers, and templates, according to specifications, using hand tools.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (7)
- Review work orders, blueprints, specifications, or job samples to determine components, settings, and adjustments for cutting and slicing machines.
- Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices, such as rulers, micrometers, or scales.
- Start machines to verify setups, and make any necessary adjustments.
- Monitor operation of cutting or slicing machines to detect malfunctions or to determine whether supplies need replenishment.
- Stack and sort cut material for packaging, further processing, or shipping, according to types and sizes of material.
- Remove completed materials or products from cutting or slicing machines, and stack or store them for additional processing.
- Maintain production records, such as quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.
👤Requires Humans (2)
- Move stock or scrap to and from machines manually, or by using carts, handtrucks, or lift trucks.
- Select and install machine components, such as cutting blades, rollers, and templates, according to specifications, using hand tools.
⚡AI-Assisted (7)
- Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
- Press buttons, pull levers, or depress pedals to start and operate cutting and slicing machines.
- Feed stock into cutting machines, onto conveyors, or under cutting blades, by threading, guiding, pushing, or turning handwheels.
- Adjust machine controls to alter position, alignment, speed, or pressure.
- Remove defective or substandard materials from machines, and readjust machine components so that products meet standards.
- Position stock along cutting lines, or against stops on beds of scoring or cutting machines.
- Clean and lubricate cutting machines, conveyors, blades, saws, or knives, using steam hoses, scrapers, brushes, or oil cans.
Key Skills Analysis
Operations MonitoringAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Operation and Control
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Quality Control AnalysisAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.50/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Equipment Maintenance
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Troubleshooting
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Social PerceptivenessAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.75/5.00
Repairing
Importance: 2.75/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.75/5.00
Time ManagementAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.75/5.00
Related Occupations
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
86/100 — Critical Risk
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
89/100 — Critical Risk
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
72/100 — High Risk
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
87/100 — Critical Risk
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood
83/100 — Critical Risk
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders have a critical risk of AI replacement with a score of 88/100. Many routine tasks in this role can be automated, but human oversight remains important.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research