Production & ManufacturingO*NET: 51-4034.00
Will AI Replace Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.
88out of 100
Critical Risk
AI Risk Score
88/100
Risk Level
Critical
Job Zone
2/5
Entry
Total Tasks Analyzed
18
🤖 What AI Can Do
- â–¸Study blueprints, layouts or charts, and job orders for information on specifications and tooling instructions, and to determine material requirements and operational sequences.
- â–¸Inspect sample workpieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators.
- â–¸Compute unspecified dimensions and machine settings, using knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
- â–¸Position, secure, and align cutting tools in toolholders on machines, using hand tools, and verify their positions with measuring instruments.
- â–¸Program computer numerical control machines.
- â–¸Refill, change, and monitor the level of fluids, such as oil and coolant, in machines.
👤 What Requires Humans
- â–¸Lift metal stock or workpieces manually or using hoists, and position and secure them in machines, using fasteners and hand tools.
- â–¸Install holding fixtures, cams, gears, and stops to control stock and tool movement, using hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments.
- â–¸Mount attachments, such as relieving or tracing attachments, to perform operations, such as duplicating contours of templates or trimming workpieces.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (6)
- Study blueprints, layouts or charts, and job orders for information on specifications and tooling instructions, and to determine material requirements and operational sequences.
- Inspect sample workpieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators.
- Compute unspecified dimensions and machine settings, using knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
- Position, secure, and align cutting tools in toolholders on machines, using hand tools, and verify their positions with measuring instruments.
- Program computer numerical control machines.
- Refill, change, and monitor the level of fluids, such as oil and coolant, in machines.
👤Requires Humans (3)
- Lift metal stock or workpieces manually or using hoists, and position and secure them in machines, using fasteners and hand tools.
- Install holding fixtures, cams, gears, and stops to control stock and tool movement, using hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments.
- Mount attachments, such as relieving or tracing attachments, to perform operations, such as duplicating contours of templates or trimming workpieces.
âš¡AI-Assisted (9)
- Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances.
- Move controls to set cutting speeds and depths and feed rates, and to position tools in relation to workpieces.
- Replace worn tools, and sharpen dull cutting tools and dies, using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines.
- Move toolholders manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to feed tools to and along workpieces.
- Crank machines through cycles, stopping to adjust tool positions and machine controls to ensure specified timing, clearances, and tolerances.
- Start lathe or turning machines and observe operations to ensure that specifications are met.
- Clean work area.
- Select cutting tools and tooling instructions, according to written specifications or knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
Key Skills Analysis
Operations MonitoringAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.50/5.00
Operation and Control
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Equipment Maintenance
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Quality Control AnalysisAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 2.75/5.00
Time ManagementAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.75/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.62/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.62/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.62/5.00
Equipment SelectionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 2.62/5.00
Troubleshooting
Importance: 2.62/5.00
Related Occupations
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
89/100 — Critical Risk
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
89/100 — Critical Risk
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
89/100 — Critical Risk
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
86/100 — Critical Risk
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
86/100 — Critical Risk
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 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