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Watch clips from "How It's Made" to see how objects like artificial limbs, nails, footballs, mustard, and more are made. Choose a few to watch--which one surprised you most?

Watch how the objects all around us are made.

Watch a video to learn what CNC (computer numerical control) machining is and how it works. Is this something you're interested in working with?

Learn about CNC machining.

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Realistic

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Conventional

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Investigative

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Artistic

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Enterprising

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Social

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Miscellaneous Metal Workers and Plastic Workers

Production Occupations

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers

Monitor machine operations to determine whether adjustments are necessary, stopping machines when problems occur.

Inspect, feel, and measure workpieces to ensure that surfaces and dimensions meet specifications.

Study blueprints or layouts of metal workpieces to determine grinding procedures, and to plan machine setups and operational sequences.

Select and mount grinding wheels on machines, according to specifications, using hand tools and applying knowledge of abrasives and grinding procedures.

Compute numbers, widths, and angles of cutting tools, micrometers, scales, and gauges, and adjust tools to produce specified cuts.

Turn valves to direct flow of coolant against cutting wheels and workpieces during grinding.

Set up and operate grinding or polishing machines to grind metal workpieces, such as dies, parts, and tools.

Dress grinding wheels, according to specifications.

File or finish surfaces of workpieces, using prescribed hand tools.

Perform basic maintenance, such as cleaning and lubricating machine parts.

ANCA ToolRoom

Dassault Systemes SolidWorks

Microsoft Excel

IBM Lotus Notes

Vero Software Edgecam

Zoller

Computer numerically controlled CNC grinders

Cutter grinders

Drill grinders

Tool grinders

Digital calipers

Vernier calipers

Dial indicators

Industrial bench grinders

Digital micrometers

Digital radius gauges

Automatic metalworking lathes

Surface grinding machines

Optical comparators

Air pressure gauges

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

Every day

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Continually or almost continually

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

Extremely important

Very important

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

Once a week or more but not every day

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

Not important at all

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

Overview

Career

What Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners Do

Other Job Titles Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

Overview

Career

What Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners Do

Other Job Titles Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

Majors Related to Career

Related Careers