Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Onet SOC Code 51-4033.00 Career Description: 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. Related Clusters: Programs of Study Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Career Summary:

• Experience- Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a teller might benefit from experience working directly with the public, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be a teller with little difficulty.
• Education- These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.
• Job Training- Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.
• Examples- These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, pharmacy technicians, salespersons (retail), and tellers.

• Brush or spray lubricating compounds on workpieces, or turn valve handles and direct flow of coolant against tools and workpieces.
• Compute machine indexings and settings for specified dimensions and base reference points.
• Slide spacers between buffs on spindles in order to set spacing.
• Thread and hand-feed materials through machine cutters or abraders.
• Adjust air cylinders and setting stops to set traverse lengths and feed arm strokes.
• Repair or replace machine parts, using hand tools, or notify engineering personnel when corrective action is required.
• Maintain stocks of machine parts and machining tools.
• Inspect or measure finished workpieces to determine conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as gauges or micrometers.
• Lift and position workpieces, manually or with hoists, and secure them in hoppers or on machine tables, faceplates, or chucks, using clamps.
• 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 workpieces.
• Observe machine operations to detect any problems; make necessary adjustments to correct problems.
• Set and adjust machine controls according to product specifications, utilizing knowledge of machine operation.
• Measure workpieces and lay out work, using precision measuring devices.
• Select machine tooling to be used, utilizing knowledge of machine and production requirements.
• Study blueprints, work orders, or machining instructions to determine product specifications, tool requirements, and operational sequences.
• Mount and position tools in machine chucks, spindles, or other tool holding devices, using hand tools.
• Activate machine start-up switches to grind, lap, hone, debar, shear, or cut workpieces, according to specifications.
• Move machine controls to index workpieces, and to adjust machines for pre-selected operational settings.

• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

• Finishers tend to learn this skill on the job. Trainees begin by working with an experienced finisher. The length of the training depends upon the complexity of the finishing operation. Although there are no special educational requirements for this job, employers are seeking applicants with excellent basic skills to include mathematics, mechanical aptitude, English, communication, and blueprint reading.

• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

• Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Second Interest High-Point - Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
• Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

• Moral Values - Workers on this job are never pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
• Independence - Workers on this job do their work alone.
• Activity - Workers on this job are busy all the time.
• Company Policies and Practices - Workers on this job are treated fairly by the company.
• Supervision, Human Relations - Workers on this job have supervisors who back up their workers with management.
• Support-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
• Supervision, Technical - Workers on this job have supervisors who train their workers well.
• Security - Workers on this job have steady employment.

Wage and salary data provided by:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee Department of Labor website
• TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development website
• Bureau of Economic Analysis website