Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 7223
Boring machine operator
A boring machine operator is a person who sets up, operates and maintains single-spindle and multi-spindle machines fitted with boring tools, using a hardened rotating multi-point cutting tool to enlarge an existing hole in a manufactured workpiece. The distinction from drilling matters: drilling makes a hole, boring corrects one that is already there.
Check yourself in a minute: boring machine operator
Rate 5 of the 16 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
supply machine with appropriate tools
remove inadequate workpieces
troubleshoot
remove processed workpiece
operate precision measuring equipment
About boring machine operator
That correction is the point of the work. A bored hole is held to a diameter, a position and a straightness that a drill cannot reach, which is why the operator works from a knowledge of boring head types and chooses between them for the tolerance required. Drill types and metal types are part of the same knowledge.
Setting up decides whether the tolerance is met. The operator configures the machine's control panel, sets the work and the tool, and performs test runs before a series begins.
Running and supporting the machine fill the rest. The operator monitors the automatic machines through a run, troubleshoots what goes wrong with them, and ensures equipment availability, so the tooling and the measuring equipment the next job needs are present before it starts rather than looked for once the machine is standing idle.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (16)
types of boring headstypes of boring headsQualities and applications of various types of boring heads, such as rough boring heads, fine boring heads and others.types of metaltypes of metalQualities, specifications, applications and reactions to different fabricating processes of various types of metal, such as steel, aluminium, brass, copper and others.quality standardsquality standardsThe national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.types of drill bitstypes of drill bitsQualities and applications of various types of drill bits, such as core drill bits, spotting drill bits, countersink drill bits and others.supply machine with appropriate toolssupply machine with appropriate toolsSupply the machine with the necessary tools and items for a particular production purpose. Monitor the stock and replenish when needed.remove inadequate workpiecesremove inadequate workpiecesEvaluate which deficient processed workpieces do not meet the set-up standard and should be removed and sort the waste according to regulations.troubleshoottroubleshootIdentify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.remove processed workpieceremove processed workpieceRemove individual workpieces after processing, from the manufacturing machine or the machine tool. In case of a conveyor belt this involves quick, continuous movement.operate precision measuring equipmentoperate precision measuring equipmentMeasure the size of a processed part when checking and marking it to check if it is up to standard by use of two and three dimensional precision measuring equipment such as a caliper, a micrometer, an...perform test runperform test runPerform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, ...dispose of cutting waste materialdispose of cutting waste materialDispose of possibly hazardous waste material created in the cutting process, such as swarf, scrap and slugs, sort according to regulations, and clean up workplace.ensure equipment availabilityensure equipment availabilityEnsure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.monitor automated machinesmonitor automated machinesContinuously check up on the automated machine's set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment...supply machinesupply machineEnsure the machine is fed the necessary and adequate materials and control the placement or automatic feed and retrieval of work pieces in the machines or machine tools on the production line.tend boring machinetend boring machineTend a boring machine, monitor and operate it, according to regulations.set up the controller of a machineset up the controller of a machineSet up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.
Optional (31) — show
non-ferrous metal processingnon-ferrous metal processingVarious processing methods on non-ferrous metals and alloys such as copper, zinc and aluminium.cutting technologiescutting technologiesThe variety of cutting technologies, such as software or mechanics, guiding cutting processes through lasering, sawing, milling etc.manufacturing of metal structuresmanufacturing of metal structuresThe production of metal structures for construction.manufacturing of cutlerymanufacturing of cutleryThe manufacture of different cutlery items, such as forks, spoons, knives, razors or scissors.ferrous metal processingferrous metal processingVarious processing methods on iron and iron-containing alloys such as steel, stainless steel and pig iron.manufacturing of metal household articlesmanufacturing of metal household articlesThe manufacture of flatware , hollowware , dinnerware and other non-electrical utensils for use at the table or in the kitchen.manufacture of small metal partsmanufacture of small metal partsThe manufacture of metal cable, plaited bands and other articles of that type, uninsulated or insulated cable not capable of being used as a conductor of electricity, coated or cored wire as well as b...manufacturing of metal containersmanufacturing of metal containersThe manufacture of reservoirs, tanks and similar containers of metal, of types normally installed as fixtures for storage or manufacturing use. The manufacture of metal containers for compressed or li...manufacturing of metal assembly productsmanufacturing of metal assembly productsThe manufacture of rivets, washers and similar non-threaded products, screw machine products, screws, nuts and similar threaded products.manufacturing of steel drums and similar containersmanufacturing of steel drums and similar containersThe manufacture of pails, cans, drums, buckets, boxes, through metalworking processes.manufacturing of heating equipmentmanufacturing of heating equipmentThe manufacture of electrical ovens and water heaters by metalworking processes.types of metal manufacturing processestypes of metal manufacturing processesMetal processes linked to the different types of metal, such as casting processes, heat treatment processes, repair processes and other metal manufacturing processes.manufacturing of door furniture from metalmanufacturing of door furniture from metalThe manufacture of metal items that can be attached to a door in order to support its function and appearance. The manufacture of padlocks, locks, keys, hinges and the like, and hardware for buildings...manufacturing of light metal packagingmanufacturing of light metal packagingThe manufacture of tins and cans for food products, collapsible tubes and boxes, and of metallic closures.manufacturing of doors from metalmanufacturing of doors from metalThe manufacture of metal doors, windows and their frames, shutters and gates, and the metal room partitions for floor attachment.manufacturing of weapons and ammunitionmanufacturing of weapons and ammunitionThe manufacture of heavy weapons (artillery, mobile guns, rocket launchers, torpedo tubes, heavy machine guns), small arms (revolvers, shotguns, light machine guns), air or gas guns and pistols, and w...mechanicsmechanicsTheoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.manufacturing of toolsmanufacturing of toolsThe manufacture of knives and cutting blades for machines or for mechanical appliances, hand tools such as pliers, screwdrivers etc. The manufacture of non-power-driven agricultural hand tools, saws a...manufacturing of steam generatorsmanufacturing of steam generatorsThe manufacture of steam or other vapour generators, the manufacture of auxiliary plant for use with steam generators: condensers, economisers, superheaters, steam collectors and accumulators. The man...inspect quality of productsinspect quality of productsUse various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.record production data for quality controlrecord production data for quality controlKeep records of the machine's faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.perform product testingperform product testingTest processed workpieces or products for basic faults.monitor stock levelmonitor stock levelEvaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.monitor conveyor beltmonitor conveyor beltMonitor the flow of the work pieces on the conveyor belt as they are processed by the machine to ensure optimal productivity.apply cross-reference tools for product identificationapply cross-reference tools for product identificationEmploy cross-reference tools and programmes, listing file names and line numbers, to identify part numbers, descriptions, and the vendor as source of origin.perform machine maintenanceperform machine maintenancePerform regular maintenance, possibly including corrections and alterations, on a machine or machine tool to ensure it remains in a proper productive state.advise on machinery malfunctionsadvise on machinery malfunctionsOffer advice to service technicians in case of machinery malfunctions and other technical repair tasks.mark processed workpiecemark processed workpieceInspect and mark parts of the workpiece to indicate how they will fit into the finished product.consult technical resourcesconsult technical resourcesRead and interpret technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.keep records of work progresskeep records of work progressMaintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.operate scrap vibratory feederoperate scrap vibratory feederOperate a vibratory feeder which gradually feeds scrap or other waste material into a bin.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a boring machine operator do?
Boring machine operators prepare, operate, and maintain single or multiple spindle machines using a boring bar with a hardened, rotary, multipointed cutting tool in order to enlarge an existing hole in a fabricated workpiece.
What skills does a boring machine operator need?
A boring machine operator needs 16 essential skills, including types of boring heads, types of metal, quality standards, types of drill bits, supply machine with appropriate tools.
Will AI replace boring machine operator jobs?
The AI disruption score for boring machine operator is 56/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: record production data for quality control, remove processed workpiece, monitor stock level. Most resilient: types of drill bits, manufacturing of cutlery, types of metal.
AI Replacement Risk
56/ 100
High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.
Check your own AI riskQuick Facts
ISCO GroupMetal, machinery and related trades workers
Essential Skills16
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