{"schemaVersion":"1.0","exportedAt":"2026-05-15T12:39:53.565Z","occupation":{"soc":"51-4034.00","title":"Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic","group":"Production","sector":"31-33","jobZone":2,"jobZoneInferred":false},"framework":{"version":"v.26.05","description":"","contextCovered":"This framework covers the setup, operation, inspection, maintenance, and leadership activities performed by lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders working with metal and plastic workpieces in a Job Zone 2 production manufacturing environment.","levels":{"emerging":{"label":"Emerging","statements":["Machine controls and basic settings — identify and adjust under direct supervisor guidance on a production lathe to maintain initial dimensional tolerances.","Cutting speeds, depths, and feed rates — set by moving controls as directed, following written setup sheets on a standard turning machine.","Blueprints and job orders — read and interpret basic specifications under supervision to determine material requirements before starting a turning operation.","Sample workpieces — inspect using gauges and micrometers under close direction to check conformance with dimensional specifications.","Worn or dull cutting tools — recognize and report to a lead operator, assisting with replacement on a bench grinder under guidance.","Tool holders and handwheels — move manually as instructed to position cutting tools along workpieces during a supervised setup cycle.","Basic shop mathematics — apply with assistance to calculate simple dimensions and verify machine settings before initiating a turning cycle.","Machine cycles — crank through basic sequences with a supervisor present, stopping at designated points to confirm tool position and clearances.","Personal protective equipment and machine guarding — use and verify consistently at the start of each shift on a metal or plastic turning line.","Inventory management software — navigate basic screens to locate material records and log completed part counts under direct instruction."]},"developing":{"label":"Developing","statements":["Machine controls and tool settings — adjust independently between production runs to maintain specified tolerances on a variety of turned metal and plastic workpieces.","Cutting speed, depth, and feed rate parameters — select and set with limited oversight based on job order specifications and material type on a turning center.","Blueprints, layout charts, and job orders — study and translate into correct operational sequences and tooling setups without direct supervision.","Dimensional inspection — conduct routinely using micrometers, dial indicators, and gauges, logging results and flagging out-of-tolerance parts for review.","Dull cutting tools and dies — sharpen and replace using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines following established maintenance schedules.","Automatic feeding mechanisms — engage and monitor during continuous production runs, adjusting feed paths as workpiece requirements change.","Unspecified dimensions and machine settings — compute using shop mathematics and knowledge of metal and plastic properties for standard job configurations.","Machine cycle timing and clearances — verify by cranking through cycles and making incremental control adjustments to achieve repeatable tolerance results.","Operations monitoring practices — apply systematically throughout a shift to detect machine anomalies and initiate corrective action before scrap is produced.","Industrial control software — use to retrieve program parameters, record production data, and make approved setting changes on CNC-assisted turning equipment."]},"proficient":{"label":"Proficient","statements":["Complex machine adjustments and multi-tool setups — execute autonomously across a full range of lathe configurations to hold tight tolerances on non-standard workpieces.","Cutting parameters for difficult materials — determine and program independently, applying advanced knowledge of metal and plastic properties to optimize cycle time and tool life.","Multi-step job orders and engineering drawings — interpret fully without assistance, resolving specification ambiguities and establishing complete operational sequences for the shop floor.","Full-cycle quality control analysis — perform using precision instruments and statistical sampling methods, identifying root causes of dimensional variation and implementing corrections.","Tooling maintenance program — manage across multiple machines, scheduling sharpening and replacement cycles to minimize downtime while sustaining part quality.","Manual and automated feeding mechanisms — troubleshoot and optimize for complex workpiece geometries, achieving consistent surface finish and dimensional accuracy.","Non-routine dimensional calculations — solve using engineering mathematics and visualization of three-dimensional part geometry for custom or first-article turning jobs.","Machine cycle anomalies and timing deviations — diagnose during operation and correct tool positions and control settings to restore specified clearances and tolerances.","Equipment maintenance requirements — assess proactively, coordinating with maintenance personnel and documenting findings in inventory and maintenance management systems.","Operator performance issues — identify through production monitoring and provide on-the-spot technical coaching to less experienced setters and tenders on the line."]},"advanced":{"label":"Advanced","statements":["Production standards and tolerance specifications — establish and refine at the organizational level, translating engineering requirements into shop-floor setup procedures for lathe and turning operations.","Machine control and tooling strategies — lead evaluation and selection of cutting parameters, tool materials, and feeds across the department to maximize output and minimize scrap.","Blueprint and specification review processes — oversee for the work group, ensuring all operators correctly interpret job orders and escalating drawing discrepancies to engineering.","Quality assurance systems — design and champion department-wide inspection protocols, driving continuous improvement in dimensional conformance across metal and plastic turning lines.","Tooling and maintenance programs — develop and implement preventive maintenance schedules and tooling standards that sustain equipment reliability across a multi-machine production environment.","Advanced feeding and automation capabilities — lead assessment and integration of automated feed mechanisms and CNC enhancements to improve throughput and reduce operator fatigue.","Shop mathematics and process engineering knowledge — apply at a strategic level to develop training curricula and standard operating procedures for new and experienced turning machine operators.","Process troubleshooting methodology — institutionalize a structured approach to diagnosing cycle, clearance, and tolerance failures, reducing repeat defects across the production floor.","Industrial control and inventory management software — direct configuration, standardization, and training across the department to ensure accurate production tracking and data integrity.","Workforce development and skills progression — mentor setters, operators, and tenders at all experience levels, building a capable and safety-conscious turning machine team aligned with organizational goals."]}}},"sources":{"onet":"v30.2 (CC BY 4.0)","crosswalk":"https://skillscrosswalk.com","generator":"LER.me"},"attribution":"© EBSCOed"}