Production & ManufacturingO*NET: 51-4031.00
Will AI Replace 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.
87out of 100
Critical Risk
AI Risk Score
87/100
Risk Level
Critical
Job Zone
2/5
Entry
Total Tasks Analyzed
9
🤖 What AI Can Do
- ▸Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers.
- ▸Examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws.
- ▸Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances.
- ▸Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data.
👤 What Requires Humans
- ▸Providing empathy and emotional support
- ▸Creative problem-solving in ambiguous contexts
- ▸Physical tasks requiring fine motor skills and dexterity
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (4)
- Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers.
- Examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws.
- Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances.
- Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data.
⚡AI-Assisted (5)
- Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
- Test and adjust machine speeds or actions, according to product specifications, using gauges and hand tools.
- Load workpieces, plastic material, or chemical solutions into machines.
- Turn controls to set cutting speeds, feed rates, or table angles for specified operations.
- Clean work area.
Key Skills Analysis
Operations MonitoringAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.50/5.00
Operation and Control
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Troubleshooting
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Quality Control AnalysisAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 2.75/5.00
Active LearningAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.75/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.75/5.00
Equipment Maintenance
Importance: 2.75/5.00
Time ManagementAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.75/5.00
Social PerceptivenessAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.62/5.00
Related Occupations
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
88/100 — Critical Risk
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
86/100 — Critical Risk
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
89/100 — Critical Risk
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
89/100 — Critical Risk
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
87/100 — Critical Risk
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic have a critical risk of AI replacement with a score of 87/100. Many routine tasks in this role can be automated, but human oversight remains important.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research