Machinists are an integral part of the manufacturing process. Because the technology of machining is changing rapidly, machinists must learn to operate a wide range of machines. Some newer machines use lasers, water jets, or electrified wires to cut the piece of material—generally different types of metals, plastics, or woods. They use lathes, milling machines, and machining centers, to produce precision metal parts. Although they may produce large quantities of one part, they often produce one-of-a-kind items. Machinists plan and carry out the operations needed to make products that meet precise specifications laid out by drafters, architects, engineers, and programmers, or mechanics who must fabricate a part or product. Salina Tech’s nine-month program and hands-on learning opportunities includes CNC machine, lathe, and milling process learning that creates competitive graduates for today’s machining industries.
Career Opportunities: Assembly Person, Machine Operator, Machinist, Tool and Die Maker, Tool Room Technician, Methods and Standards, Quality Control, CNC Operator, CNC Programmer, Management
Nature of Work
Machinists use machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, and machining centers, to produce precision metal parts. Although they may produce large quantities of one part, precision machinists often produce small batches or one-of-a-kind items. They use their knowledge of the working properties of metals and their skill with machine tools to plan and carry out the operations needed to make machined products that meet precise specifications.
Work environment
Today, most machine shops are relatively clean, well lit, and ventilated. Many computer-controlled machines are partially or totally enclosed, minimizing the exposure of workers to noise, debris, and the lubricants used to cool workpieces during machining. Nevertheless, working around machine tools presents certain dangers, and workers must follow safety precautions. Machinists wear protective equipment, such as safety glasses to shield against bits of flying metal and earplugs to dampen machinery noise. They also must exercise caution when handling hazardous coolants and lubricants, although many common water-based lubricants present little hazard. The job requires stamina because machinists stand most of the day and, at times, may need to lift moderately heavy workpieces. Modern factories use autoloaders and overhead cranes to reduce heavy lifting.
Many machinists work a 40-hour week. Evening and weekend shifts are becoming more common as companies extend hours of operation to make better use of expensive machines. However, this trend is somewhat offset by lights-out manufacturing that uses fewer machinists and the use of machine operators for less desirable shifts. Overtime is common during peak production periods.
Machinists held about 397,000 jobs in 2006. About 78 percent of machinists work in manufacturing industries, such as machine shops and machinery, motor vehicle and parts, aerospace products and parts, and other transportation equipment manufacturing. Maintenance machinists work in most industries that use production machinery.
Job Outlook
Although employment of machinists is projected to decline slowly, job prospects are expected to be good.
Employment change.
Employment of machinists is projected to decline slowly by 3 percent over the 2006-16 decade because of rising productivity among these workers and strong foreign competition in the manufacture of goods. Machinists will become more efficient as a result of the expanded use of and improvements in technologies such as CNC machine tools, autoloaders, and high-speed machining. This allows fewer machinists to accomplish the same amount of work. Technology is not expected to affect the employment of machinists as significantly as that of some other production workers, however, because machinists monitor and maintain many automated systems. Due to modern production techniques, employers prefer workers, such as machinists, who have a wide range of skills and are capable of performing almost any task in a machine shop.
Job prospects.
Despite the projected decline in employment, job opportunities for machinists should continue to be good as employers value the wide-ranging skills of these workers. Also, many young people with the necessary educational and personal qualifications needed to become machinists prefer to attend college or may not wish to enter production occupations. Therefore, the number of workers learning to be machinists is expected to be less than the number of job openings arising each year from the need to replace experienced machinists who retire or transfer to other occupations.
Employment levels in this occupation are influenced by economic cycles—as the demand for machined goods falls, machinists involved in production may be laid off or forced to work fewer hours. Employment of machinists involved in plant maintenance, however, often is more stable because proper maintenance and repair of costly equipment remains critical to manufacturing operations, even when production levels fall.
Earnings.
Median hourly wage-and-salary earnings of machinists were $16.71 in May 2006. The middle 50% earned between $13.14 and $20.82. The lowest 10% earned less than $10.29, while the top 10% earned more than $25.31. Median hourly wage-and-salary earnings in the manufacturing industries employing the largest number of machinists were:
Aerospace product and parts manufacturing $18.46
Motor Vehicle parts manufacturing $18.27
Metalworking machinery manufacturing $17.36
Machine Shops $16.24
KANSAS WAGE SURVEY 2007
Machinist (51-4041).
| Wages | |||
| Area | Employment | Mean Wage |
Median Wage |
| Kansas | 4,060 | $15.14 | $14.67 |
| Lawrence Metropolitan Area | 30 | $17.02 | $16.51 |
| Wichita Metropolitan Area | 1,370 | $15.40 | $14.68 |
| Topeka Metropolitan Area | 180 | $18.15 | $17.60 |
| Balance of Kansas (outside of metro areas) | 1,850 | $14.21 | $13.87 |
| Kansas City Metropolitan Area | 640 | $16.31 | $16.34 |
| Local Area 1 (Western Kansas) | 730 | $14.28 | $14.07 |
| Local Area 2 (Northeast Kansas) | 550 | $15.65 | $14.70 |
| Local Area 3 (Kansas City, Kansas Area) | 630 | $16.31 | $16.33 |
| Local Area 4 (South Central Kansas) | 1,530 | $15.46 | $14.87 |
| Local Area 5 (Southeast Kansas) | 590 | $13.56 | $12 |
Computer Controlled Machine Tool Operators (51-4011).
| Wages | |||
| Area | Employment | Mean Wage |
Median Wage |
| Kansas | 2,430 | $16.43 | $16.12 |
| Lawrence Metropolitan Area | 30 | $14.69 | $14.34 |
| Wichita Metropolitan Area | 930 | $17.14 | $16.53 |
| Balance of Kansas (outside of metro areas) | 950 | $14.94 | $14.67 |
| Kansas City Metropolitan Area | na | $18.02 | $18.89 |
| Local Area 1 (Western Kansas) | 370 | $15.70 | $16.01 |
| Local Area 2 (Northeast Kansas) | na | $14.16 | $14.09 |
| Local Area 3 (Kansas City, Kansas Area) | na | $18.39 | $19.15 |
| Local Area 4 (South Central Kansas) | 1,050 | $16.82 | $16.08 |
| Local Area 5 (Southeast Kansas) | 410 | $14.41 | $13.57 |
| Machine Tool Technology Certificate | ||||
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits | |
| MTT 270 Shop Safety | 1 | MTT 121 Engine Lathe Operation II | 7 | |
| MTT 110 Blueprint Reading | 4 | MTT 200 CNC Machine Fundamentals | 7 | |
| MTT 115 Precision Measurement | 2 | MTT 130 Special Projects | 3 | |
| MTT 120 Engine Lathe Operation I | 4 | |||
| MTT 125 Milling Machine Operation | 7 | |||
| MTT 105 Machine Tool Math | 3 | |||
| TOTAL CREDITS: | 21 | TOTAL CREDITS: | 17 | |
| TOTAL CERTIFICATE CREDITS: | 38 | |||
Associate of Applied Science Degree: 60 Credits. To complete the Associate of Applied Science Degree, select 15 more credits from the General Education requirements found in the Degree and Certification Information section plus 7 credits from other technical education courses. Visit with your instructor or the Director of Student Services for possible options.
MTT 105 Machine Tool Math, 3 credits.
This course covers applications of Algebra, Analytic Geometry and Trigonometry to Machine Tool Technology.
MTT 270 Shop Safety, 1 credit.
Students will apply Machine Tool Technology safety rules, conditions for a safe work environment, fire safety rules and prevention.
MTT 110 Blueprint Reading, 4 credits.
Students learn how to interpret symbols, dimensions, and views on drawings, while preparing projects on various production machines. Geometric dimensioning and tolerance is included in this course.
MTT 115 Precision Measurement, 2 credits.
Students will learn to define measurement terms, systems, and principles, as well as identify, describe, and care for semi-precision/precision measurement tools. The student will learn to measure using precision instruments such as micrometers, gage blocks, verniers, dial indicators, and dial calipers.
MTT 120 Engine Lathe Operation I, 4 credits.
In this course students will learn to identify types and parts of the lathe, lathe accessories, lathe operations and tooling, and freehand grind tools. Students will also be able to calculate speeds and feeds and dept of cuts.
MTT 125 Milling Machine Operation, 7 credits.
This course covers milling machine terms, milling machine parts, types, operations and functions of milling machines. Students will follow guidelines for the safe operation of milling machines and identify various types of cutting tool and applications, determine cutting tool variables; calculate and set correct cutting speeds, RPMs and feed rates.
MTT 121 Engine Lathe Operation II, 7 credits.
The course will cover proper maintenance procedures and calculate tapers and American National thread forms. Students will learn selection of work holding, sequence of operations, method of operations, and tool materials. In addition alignment of lathe centers, setting up and machining work pieces according to blueprint specifications, and setting up steady and follower rests will be covered. The student will be able to groove, undercut, thread, and taper.
MTT 200 CNC Machine Fundamentals, 7 credits.
In this course students will learn safety guidelines and principles of numerically controlled machining. The student will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the coordinate system used in numerical control, basic axis movements, NC machine operations, cutter center line offsets, the NC programming process, and programming codes.
MTT 130 Special Projects, 3 credits.
This is an advanced course designed for students to apply their knowledge and skills to various types of machining projects. Students must meet exact verbal specifications, sketch the verbal specifications if no blueprints provided and/or produce machined parts from blueprints.
