Who is a milling machine operator and what do they do? His/her job consists of machining various kinds of mostly flat surfaces using milling machines and other non-rotating machine tools.
What are the activities of the milling machine operator job? Tasks include milling flat and box-shaped parts, milling of special parts, such as cams, the teeth on a gear wheel, grooves and cavities, grinding of large-sized surfaces, flat areas, bevelled areas, etc., hole cutting, checking on dimensional accuracies of parts, changing the machine tool cutters, adjusting and maintenance of machine tools.
Where is it done and under what conditions? This work is carried out in general engineering shops and plants, or smaller service/manufacturing shops, where the working conditions may involve grease, increased noise and dust.
What tools/equipment do they use? Among the most commonly used tools and equipment are milling machines, incl. single-purpose and/or Numerically Controlled (NC)machines, incl. NC machining centres and large engineering units with automated and robotic systems, planing machines, shapers, extruding machines, cutters, gauges and various jigs that hold the work in place.
What do you need to succeed? Basic qualifications for this job are education or training to skilled craft or technician level, technical imagination, overall fitness and ability to concentrate at work.