Develop programs to control machining or processing of metal or plastic parts by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems.
16 of 16 tasks have some AI capability
Exposure Trend
This score reflects estimated AI technical capability for tasks in this occupation. It does not predict employment changes, and it does not account for company-specific constraints, regulation, or adoption barriers.
Write programs in the language of a machine's controller and store programs on media such as punch tapes, magnetic tapes, or disks.
AI: Fully automatable - AI and modern tooling can generate controller-language programs and store them digitally; while legacy physical media exist, the core task is fully automatable.
Determine the sequence of machine operations, and select the proper cutting tools needed to machine workpieces into the desired shapes.
AI: Fully automatable - By 2025 advanced CAM and AI assistants can generate operation sequences and recommend cutting tools from part geometry and material for the vast majority of parts, though humans may still review complex setups.
Analyze job orders, drawings, blueprints, specifications, printed circuit board pattern films, and design data to calculate dimensions, tool selection, machine speeds, and feed rates.
AI: Fully automatable - Given drawings, specs and part data, software and AI can compute dimensions and recommend tool selection, spindle speeds and feed rates using material and machine databases and physics-based models.
Write instruction sheets and cutter lists for a machine's controller to guide setup and encode numerical control tapes.
AI: Fully automatable - Generating controller instruction sheets and cutter lists from toolpaths and job data is a routine output of modern CAM/automation systems and can be fully automated.
Revise programs or tapes to eliminate errors, and retest programs to check that problems have been solved.
AI: Fully automatable - AI and CAM toolpath analyzers can identify, correct common G‑code/program errors and validate fixes through simulation and automated test routines, enabling full automated revision in most cases.
Prepare geometric layouts from graphic displays, using computer-assisted drafting software or drafting instruments and graph paper.
AI: Fully automatable - Generating geometric layouts from graphic displays is fully automatable with CAD/CAM tools and AI-assisted drafting, producing ready‑to‑use layouts without manual drafting.
Enter computer commands to store or retrieve parts patterns, graphic displays, or programs that transfer data to other media.
AI: Fully automatable - Entering commands to store/retrieve patterns and transfer data is a straightforward, fully automatable digital task handled by scripts, APIs or AI agents.
Modify existing programs to enhance efficiency.
AI: Fully automatable - AI tools can analyze existing programs and optimize toolpaths, feeds, and strategies to improve cycle time and efficiency in most typical scenarios.
Determine reference points, machine cutting paths, or hole locations, and compute angular and linear dimensions, radii, and curvatures.
AI: Fully automatable - Computing reference points, cutting paths and precise geometric measures from CAD models is a deterministic calculation that CAM/AI systems can perform fully.
Draw machine tool paths on pattern film, using colored markers and following guidelines for tool speed and efficiency.
AI: Fully automatable - AI can fully generate optimized toolpaths and drive plotters or printing equipment to produce pattern film, replacing manual drawing with markers.
Sort shop orders into groups to maximize materials utilization and minimize machine setup time.
AI: Fully automatable - Order batching, nesting and setup minimization are optimization problems that current software and AI solvers can handle effectively for production planning.
Compare encoded tapes or computer printouts with original part specifications and blueprints to verify accuracy of instructions.
AI: Fully automatable - Automated verification comparing encoded tapes/G‑code to CAD/specifications via simulation and program analysis is a solved problem and can be fully automated for most parts.
Observe machines on trial runs or conduct computer simulations to ensure that programs and machinery will function properly and produce items that meet specifications.
AI: Partial - AI can run high‑fidelity simulations and monitor machine sensors/cameras to predict/run trial behavior, but on‑the‑spot physical adjustments and subjective judgments during live trial runs still often require human intervention.
Enter coordinates of hole locations into program memories by depressing pedals or buttons of programmers.
AI: Partial - AI can compute and upload hole coordinates directly into machine programs but may be unable to operate legacy hardware that requires manual pedal/button entry without additional hardware interfaces.
Perform preventative maintenance or minor repairs on machines.
AI: Partial - AI can provide diagnostics, procedures, and guided instructions for preventative maintenance or minor repairs but cannot reliably perform the wide range of hands‑on mechanical tasks across varied machines without human technicians or specialized robotics.
Align and secure pattern film on reference tables of optical programmers, and observe enlarger scope views of printed circuit boards.
AI: Partial - Vision systems and robots can assist with aligning film and optical inspection, but reliable, fine manual alignment and handling across varied setups remains only partially automatable as of 2025.