Machining Fundamentals 16
programs offered in high schools and community
colleges. Many community college programs are
offered in conjunction with local industry.
There are several areas in which a machinist
may concentrate. Some of these areas of specializa-
tion are discussed in the following sections.
All-Around Machinist
An all-around machinist is skilled in the setup
and operation of most types of machine tools. He
or she must be familiar with both manual and
computer-controlled machine tools and how they
are programmed, Figure 2-5. An all-around machin-
ist is expected to plan and carry out all of the opera-
tions needed to machine a job.
Many all-around machinists work in
job
shops.
Some job shops specialize in creating custom or
experimental machining projects for various clients.
Other job shops specialize in manufacturing prod-
ucts with very small production runs.
Tool and Die Maker
A
toolmaker
is a highly skilled machinist who
specializes in producing the tools and tooling needed
for machining operations. These include the following:
• Dies. Special tools for shaping, forming,
stamping, or cutting metal or other materials.
• Jigs. Devices that position work and guide
cutting tools.
• Fixtures. Devices to hold work while it is
machined.
These tools are necessary for modern mass
production techniques. Toolmakers must have a
broader background in machining operations and
mathematics than most other skilled workers in the
trade. See Figure 2-6.
A diemaker specializes in making the punches
and dies needed to stamp out such parts as auto
body panels, electrical components, and similar
products. He or she will also produce the dies for
making extrusions (metal shaped by being pushed
through an opening in a metal disc of proper con-
fi guration) and die castings (parts made by forcing
molten metal into a mold). Like the toolmaker, a die-
maker is a highly skilled machinist.
Specialist
The layout specialist is a machinist who inter-
prets the drawings and uses precision measuring
tools to mark off where metal must be removed by
machining from castings, forgings, and metal stock.
This person must be very familiar with the opera-
tion and capabilities of machine tools. He or she is
well-trained in mathematics and print reading.
A setup specialist is a person who locates and
positions (“sets up”) tooling and work-holding
devices on a machine tool for use by a machine tool
operator. This worker may also show the machine
tool operator how to do the job, and often checks the
accuracy of the machined part. See Figure 2-7.
John-james Gerber/Shutterstock.com
Figure 2-5. The all-around machinist can set up and operate
most types of machine tools, whether manual or CNC.
Precision Castparts Corp.
Figure 2-6. A tool-and-die maker checking the dies used for
molding a plastic pattern used to cast a jet engine component.
Master tooling ensures that other sections of the engine,
made elsewhere in the United States, Israel, and Europe, will
fit together perfectly.