Experimental or Prototype Machinists assist designers and engineers to develop new products and production processes. Working from rough engineering sketches or verbal instructions, these Machinists use their experience and ingenuity to devise practical methods to produce experimental tooling and parts and to build complete working prototype models for testing. Tool Programmers begin projects in the same way as Machinists do. Then they write a computer program in the language of the machine's controller and store it. Often Tool Programmers will test the program through simulation rather than actually testing the product.
Most machine shops are relatively clean, well lighted, and well ventilated.
However, without the proper safety precautions such as ear plugs, face masks, and safety glasses the job can be noisy and hazardous. Without taking these precautions, possible hazards are flying metal chips, abrasive dust, sharp cutting tools, and moving parts. Union Membership Many machine tool workers are members of unions. Trends While relatively slow growth is projected for Machinist jobs, many employers report difficulty in finding skilled workers for machining and tool programming positions. Almost 10,000 workers will leave this kind of work permanently by 2006, creating opportunities for workers entering the field who have mechanical aptitude, computer skills, and mathematical ability.