Numerical Tool and Process Control Programmers

Career Description: Develop programs to control machining or processing of parts by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems.

Industry: Production

Other Job Titles for Numerical Tool and Process Control Programmers:

• 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.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Determine the sequence of machine operations, and select the proper cutting tools needed to machine workpieces into the desired shapes.
• Revise programs and/or tapes to eliminate errors, and retest programs to check that problems have been solved.
• Analyze job orders, drawings, blueprints, specifications, printed circuit board pattern films, and design data in order to calculate dimensions, tool selection, machine speeds, and feed rates.
• Determine reference points, machine cutting paths, or hole locations, and compute angular and linear dimensions, radii, and curvatures.
• Observe machines on trial runs or conduct computer simulations to ensure that programs and machinery will function properly and produce items that meet specifications.
• Compare encoded tapes or computer printouts with original part specifications and blueprints to verify accuracy of instructions.
• Enter coordinates of hole locations into program memories by depressing pedals or buttons of programmers.
• Write programs in the language of a machine's controller and store programs on media such as punch tapes, magnetic tapes, or disks.
• Modify existing programs to enhance efficiency.
• Enter computer commands to store or retrieve parts patterns, graphic displays, or programs that transfer data to other media.
• Prepare geometric layouts from graphic displays, using computer-assisted drafting software or drafting instruments and graph paper.
• Write instruction sheets and cutter lists for a machine's controller in order to guide setup and encode numerical control tapes.
• Sort shop orders into groups to maximize materials utilization and minimize machine setup time.
• Draw machine tool paths on pattern film, using colored markers and following guidelines for tool speed and efficiency.
• Align and secure pattern film on reference tables of optical programmers, and observe enlarger scope views of printed circuit boards.
• Set machine stops or guides to specified lengths as indicated by scales, rules, or templates.
• Move controls or mount gears, cams, or templates in machines to set feed rates and cutting speeds, depths, and angles.
• Compute data such as gear dimensions and machine settings, applying knowledge of shop mathematics.
• Align layout marks with dies or blades.
• Measure and mark reference points and cutting lines on workpieces, using traced templates, compasses, and rules.
• Preheat tools, dies, plastic materials, or patterns, using blowtorches or other equipment.
• Operate hoists to position dies or patterns on foundry floors.
• Smooth and clean inner surfaces of molds, using brushes, scrapers, air hoses, or grinding wheels, and fill imperfections with refractory material.
• Obtain and move specified patterns to work stations, manually or using hoists, and secure patterns to machines, using wrenches.
• Perform maintenance work such as cleaning and oiling machines.
• Repair or replace damaged molds, pipes, belts, chains, or other equipment, using hand tools, hand-powered presses, or jib cranes.
• Maintain inventories of materials.
• Select coolants and lubricants, and start their flow.
• Assemble shell halves, patterns, and foundry flasks, and reinforce core boxes, using glue, clamps, wire, bolts, rams, or machines.
• Pull level and toggle latches to fill molds, to regulate tension on sheeting, and to release mold covers.
• Select and install blades, tools, or other attachments for each operation.
• Shape molds to specified contours, using sand, and trowels and related tools.
• Clamp metal and plywood strips around dies or patterns to form molds.
• Build sand molds in flasks, following patterns and heat flasks to dry and harden molds, using furnaces or torches.
• Rotate molds in order to distribute molten material and prevent formation of air pockets.
• Remove molds from cast articles, clean them, and apply shellac and powder to preserve them for reuse.
• Immerse gemstones in chemical solutions to determine specific gravity and other key properties necessary for identification and appraisal.
• Burn grooves or crevices in molds in order to correct defects, using soldering guns.
• Press models into clay, and build up clay around exposed parts of models to retain plaster.
• Chase decorative designs on silver blanks that are to be used as models for steel production dies.

Emerging Tasks

• Perform preventative maintenance or minor repairs on machines.
• Keep official logs by documenting all events and activities for each shift.
• Prepare and implement clearance orders, ensuring system is properly tagged for maintenance safety.
• Provide training to new operators.
• Perform minor repairs and maintenance of presses and printers, including lubricating moving parts.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• analyze technical data, designs, or preliminary specifications
• calculate engineering specifications
• configure computers in industrial or manufacturing setting
• determine tasks needed to complete machined products
• draw prototypes, plans, or maps to scale
• inspect manufactured products or materials
• lay out machining, welding or precision assembly projects
• monitor equipment or machine operation to detect problems
• program computer numerical controlled machines
• read blueprints
• read production layouts
• read technical drawings
• solve machine tool problems
• understand engineering data or reports
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use computer aided drafting or design software for design, drafting, modeling, or other engineering tasks
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
• read specifications
• read technical drawings
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• set up and operate variety of machine tools
• set up computer numerical control machines
• set up production equipment or machinery
• understand machine setup instructions
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use hand or power tools
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• requisition stock, materials, supplies or equipment
• set up production equipment or machinery
• signal directions or warnings to coworkers
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use hand or power tools
• use hand or power woodworking tools
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use spray application production equipment
• use non-destructive test equipment
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use robotics systems technology
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use x-ray or magnetic inspection techniques
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures
• read specifications
• read technical drawings
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• recognize characteristics of alloys
• recognize characteristics of metals
• recognize characteristics of pulps
• recognize wood species characteristics
• record test results, test procedures, or inspection data
• sort manufacturing materials or products
• test manufactured products or materials
• understand engineering data or reports
• understand measuring devices
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use hazardous materials information
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use knowledge of metric system
• use long or short term production planning techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use quality assurance techniques
• use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce
• use spreadsheet software
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use x-ray or magnetic inspection techniques

Overall Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$20.44
• Average annual wage (2007) - $42,520.00

• Employment (2006): 17,980

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