DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
51-4012 Numerical Tool and Process Control Programmers
Occupational Description:
Develop programs to control machining or processing of metal or plastic parts by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems.| Percentiles | |||||||||
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| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| Central Minnesota | 90 | 17 | $24.35/hr | $0.86/hr | $17.56/hr | $20.20/hr | $23.32/hr | $28.86/hr | $33.51/hr |
| Minnesota | 800 | 114 | $23.39/hr | $0.84/hr | $15.13/hr | $17.96/hr | $22.66/hr | $29.04/hr | $33.76/hr |
| U S | 23,990 | 552 | $23.70/hr | $0.21/hr | $15.04/hr | $17.83/hr | $22.37/hr | $28.40/hr | $35.11/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change 2010 - 2020 | |
| Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic | 440 | $18.83/hr | 37.8% |
| Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers | 140 | $13.47/hr | 7.8% |
Tasks for Numerical Tool and Process Control Programmers
- Prepares geometric layout from graphic displays, using computer-assisted drafting software or drafting instruments and graph paper.
- Sorts shop orders into groups to maximize materials utilization and minimize machine setup.
- Reviews shop orders to determine job specifications and requirements.
- Loads and unloads disks or tapes and observes operation of machine on trial run to test taped or programmed instructions.
- Depresses pedal or button of programmer to enter coordinates of each hole location into program memory.
- Moves reference table to align pattern film over circuit board holes with reference marks on enlarger scope.
- Aligns and secures pattern film on reference table of optical programmer and observes enlarger scope view of printed circuit board.
- Determines reference points, machine cutting paths, or hole locations and computes angular and linear dimensions, radii, and curvatures.
- Compares encoded tape or computer printout with original program sheet to verify accuracy of instructions.
- Draws machine tool paths on pattern film, using colored markers and following guidelines for tool speed and efficiency.
- Enters computer commands to store or retrieve parts patterns, graphic displays, or programs to transfer data to other media.
- Revises numerical control machine tape programs to eliminate instruction errors and omissions.
- Analyzes drawings, specifications, printed circuit board pattern film, and design data to calculate dimensions, tool selection, machine speeds, and feed rates.
- Writes instruction sheets, cutter lists, and machine instructions programs to guide setup and encode numerical control tape.