Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
AI replacement rate
65%This role is currently tracked with 9 timeline items plus a profile-based replacement estimate.
This role, involving the setting, operating, and tending of metal and plastic cutting, punching, and press machines, faces a high potential for AI-driven automation, particularly for repetitive operational tasks and quality control. Human expertise remains crucial for complex setups and troubleshooting.
Replacement trend
Aggregated from periodic refresh snapshots- 2026-04-2065%
Why this role is rated this way
Structural baseRoutine machine operations such as material feeding, monitoring gauges, and basic adjustments are highly repetitive and can be automated by robotics and AI-driven control systems, reducing the need for human operators.
Vision AI systems are increasingly capable of performing precise, real-time quality control checks on manufactured parts, identifying defects with higher accuracy and consistency than human operators.
AI algorithms can analyze machine performance data to predict potential failures, optimize operational parameters, and ensure efficient production, thereby reducing downtime and the need for constant human oversight.
Tasks requiring nuanced physical interaction, adaptability to unexpected material variations, and diagnostic problem-solving for non-routine faults continue to heavily rely on human expertise.
While the role has low overall physicality, the intricate and precise physical adjustments needed during complex machine setups, tool changes, or advanced troubleshooting are still challenging for current fully automated systems to replicate.
Timeline
Relevant news and cases, newest firstMolding, coremaking, and casting machine workers run machines to form metal or thermoplastic parts or products. Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders set up or operate more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.
Open originalMultiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders set up or operate more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot. Manufacturing facilities typically employ machine workers full time, usually in shifts that include evenings, weekends, and frequent overtime.
Open originalCutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are most often employed by the Motor vehicles & motor vehicle equipment manufacturing industry.
Open originalRespirators are common for those in the plastics industry who work near materials that emit dangerous fumes or dust. Employers prefer to hire candidates with high school education, then train machine operators on the job. ... Hot technologies are software skills that employers often ask for in job ads. Some job preparation is needed for cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.
Open originalComputer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD; Computer aided manufacturing CAM software: Striker Systems SS-Punch; Data base user interface and query software: Operational databases; Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook; Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software; Industrial control software: Computerized numerical control CNC software; Inventory management software: Automated inventory software; Office suite software: Microsoft Office software; Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel; Word processing software: Microsoft Word; 51-9032.00 Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders ... 51-4033.00 Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Open originalSet up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
Open originalSet up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
Open original- 51-4031.00 - Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material. Sample of reported job titles: Die Setter, Fabrication Operator, Machine Operator, Machine Setter, Press Operator, Punch Press Operator, Saw Operator, Set-Up Operator, ...
Open original Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material. National estimates for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Industry ...
Open original