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Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 8122

Cylindrical grinder operator

A cylindrical grinder operator is a person who sets up and tends the cylindrical grinding machines that apply abrasive processes to remove small amounts of excess material and smooth metal workpieces. Multiple abrasive grinding wheels act as the cutting device for very precise and light cuts, while the workpiece is fed past them and formed into a cylinder.

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Check yourself in a minute: cylindrical grinder operator

Rate 5 of the 18 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

monitor gauge

remove inadequate workpieces

spot metal imperfections

remove processed workpiece

monitor moving workpiece in a machine

About cylindrical grinder operator

Grinding is the finishing end of machining. Material has already been removed by turning or milling, and what is left is the last fraction, taken off to reach a diameter and a surface that cutting tools cannot produce. The cuts are very precise and light.

Setting up is where the accuracy comes from. The operator configures the machine's control panel, works from a knowledge of the parts of a cylindrical grinder and of metal types, and sets the machine for the material in hand.

Running the machine is measurement and observation together. The operator monitors the instrument readings, monitors how the workpiece moves through the machine, detects imperfections in metal products, and works to quality and cycle time optimisation. Grinding generates heat, and heat distorts a part while it is being measured, which is why a dimension is checked after the piece has settled rather than as it comes off the wheel.

Key skills in this occupation

Essential skills and knowledge areas from the European ESCO classification, 18 in total. The ones most specific to this occupation come first.

  1. monitor gauge

    Oversee the data presented by a gauge concerning the measurement of pressure, temperature, thickness of a material, and others.

    practical skillmost at risk from AI
  2. remove inadequate workpieces

    Evaluate which deficient processed workpieces do not meet the set-up standard and should be removed and sort the waste according to regulations.

    practical skill
  3. spot metal imperfections

    Observe and identify various kinds of imperfections in metal workpieces or finished products.

    practical skill
  4. remove processed workpiece

    Remove individual workpieces after processing, from the manufacturing machine or the machine tool.

    practical skillmost at risk from AI
  5. monitor moving workpiece in a machine

    Monitor the processing of a workpiece in motion, such as a piece of metal or wood moved linearly over a static manufacturing machine.

    practical skill
  6. dispose of cutting waste material

    Dispose of possibly hazardous waste material created in the cutting process, such as swarf, scrap and slugs, sort according to regulations, and clean up workplace.

    practical skill
  7. wear appropriate protective gear

    Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.

    practical skill
  8. ensure equipment availability

    Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.

    practical skill

Check which of these skills you already have ↑

Knowledge (4)

quality and cycle time optimisation
The most optimal rotation or cycle time and over-all quality of a tool or a machine's processes. More →
cylindrical grinder parts
The different machinery parts of a cylindrical grinder, their qualities and applications, such as the grinding wheel, wheel spindle, added coolant supply, infeed, work centres, and others. More →
types of metal
Qualities, specifications, applications and reactions to different fabricating processes of various types of metal, such as steel, aluminium, brass, copper and others. More →
quality standards
The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose. More →

Practical skills (6)

operate surface grinder
Operate the grinder in order to grind the brake strips according to the specified thickness. More →
apply precision metalworking techniques
Comply with precision standards specific to an organisation or product in metalworking, involved in processes such as engraving, precise cutting, welding. More →
supply machine
Ensure 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. More →
tend cylindrical grinder
Tend a metalworking machine designed to smoothen a metal surface by applying cylindrical grinding, abrasive machine processes, monitor and operate it according to regulations. More →
smooth burred surfaces
Inspect and smooth burred surfaces of steel and metal parts. More →
set up the controller of a machine
Set up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product. More →
Optional skills (34) — show
non-ferrous metal processing
Various processing methods on non-ferrous metals and alloys such as copper, zinc and aluminium. More →
geometry
Branch of mathematics related to questions of shape, size, relative position of figures and the properties of space. More →
cutting technologies
The variety of cutting technologies, such as software or mechanics, guiding cutting processes through lasering, sawing, milling etc. More →
manufacturing of metal structures
The production of metal structures for construction. More →
manufacturing of cutlery
The manufacture of different cutlery items, such as forks, spoons, knives, razors or scissors. More →
types of lubricants
Types of substances whose main function is to reduce friction between parts or surfaces in mutual contact such us oil-based, grease-based, penetrating or dry lubricants. More →
ferrous metal processing
Various processing methods on iron and iron-containing alloys such as steel, stainless steel and pig iron. More →
types of cylindrical grinding processes
Types of processes used for grinding metal workpieces, such as inside diameter (ID) grinding, outside diameter (OD) grinding and centerless grinding. More →
manufacturing of metal household articles
The manufacture of flatware , hollowware , dinnerware and other non-electrical utensils for use at the table or in the kitchen. More →
manufacture of small metal parts
The 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 barbed wire, wire… More →
manufacturing of metal containers
The manufacture of reservoirs, tanks and similar containers of metal, of types normally installed as fixtures for storage or manufacturing use. More →
manufacturing of metal assembly products
The manufacture of rivets, washers and similar non-threaded products, screw machine products, screws, nuts and similar threaded products. More →
manufacturing of heating equipment
The manufacture of electrical ovens and water heaters by metalworking processes. More →
types of metal manufacturing processes
Metal processes linked to the different types of metal, such as casting processes, heat treatment processes, repair processes and other metal manufacturing processes. More →
manufacturing of door furniture from metal
The manufacture of metal items that can be attached to a door in order to support its function and appearance. More →
manufacturing of light metal packaging
The manufacture of tins and cans for food products, collapsible tubes and boxes, and of metallic closures. More →
manufacturing of doors from metal
The manufacture of metal doors, windows and their frames, shutters and gates, and the metal room partitions for floor attachment. More →
manufacturing of weapons and ammunition
The 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 war ammunition. More →
metal smoothing technologies
The various technologies used for the smoothening, polishing and buffing of fabricated metal workpieces. More →
mechanics
Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices. More →
abrasive machining processes
The various machining principles and processes employing abrasives, (mineral) materials that can shape a workpiece by eroding excessive parts of it, such as grinding, honing, sanding, buffing, diamond wire cutting… More →
manufacturing of steam generators
The manufacture of steam or other vapour generators, the manufacture of auxiliary plant for use with steam generators: condensers, economisers, superheaters, steam collectors and accumulators. More →
inspect quality of products
Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. More →
supply machine with appropriate tools
Supply the machine with the necessary tools and items for a particular production purpose. More →
operate hand tools in chain making
Operate hand tools such as pliers in the production of various types of chains, hooking the ends of a chain, formed by a machine, together. More →
operate precision measuring equipment
Measure 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, and a measuring gauge. More →
perform test run
Perform 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, and adjust settings… More →
monitor automated machines
Continuously check up on the automated machine's set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. More →
advise on machinery malfunctions
Offer advice to service technicians in case of machinery malfunctions and other technical repair tasks. More →
maintain mechanical equipment
Observe and listen to machinery operation to detect malfunction. More →
consult technical resources
Read 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. More →
measure flatness of a surface
Measure the evenness of a workpiece's surface after it has been processed by checking for deviations from the desired perpendicular state. More →
keep records of work progress
Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc. More →
operate file for deburring
Operate various sizes and types of files used for removing burrs from and smoothening the edges of a workpiece. More →

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 cylindrical grinder operator do?

Cylindrical grinder operators set up and tend cylindrical grinding machines designed to apply abrasive processes in order to remove small amounts of excess material and smoothen metal workpieces by multiple abrasive grinding wheels with diamond teeth as a cutting device for very precise and light cuts, as the workpiece is fed past it and formed into a cylinder.

What skills does a cylindrical grinder operator need?

A cylindrical grinder operator needs 18 essential skills, including quality and cycle time optimisation, cylindrical grinder parts, types of metal, quality standards, monitor gauge.

Will AI replace cylindrical grinder operator jobs?

The AI disruption score for cylindrical grinder operator is 52/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: geometry, remove processed workpiece, monitor gauge. Most resilient: operate file for deburring, operate hand tools in chain making, maintain mechanical equipment.

Quick Facts

SectorManufacturing & Production
ISCO GroupStationary plant and machine operators
Essential Skills18

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