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Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 7223

Drill press operator

A drill press operator is a person who sets up and operates the machine that cuts excess material from a formed metal workpiece or enlarges a hole in it, using a hardened rotating multi-point cutting tool fed axially into the work. In practice this is the vertical drilling machine, and the tool in it is a drill.

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Check yourself in a minute: drill press 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 drill press operator

The result depends on the setup. The operator chooses from the available drill types according to the material and the hole required, mounts and aligns the work, sets the machine, and performs test runs before a series is started. A hole drilled in the wrong place cannot be moved, which is why the first piece is always measured.

Running the machine is a matter of attention. The operator monitors the automatic machines through a run, troubleshoots the problems that come with cutting metal, and works to quality and cycle time optimisation, where feed and speed are traded against tool life and surface finish.

Two tasks around the machine belong to the same person. The operator ensures equipment availability, and disposes of the waste generated by the cutting process.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (16)

quality and cycle time optimisationquality and cycle time optimisationThe most optimal rotation or cycle time and over-all quality of a tool or a machine's processes.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.wear appropriate protective gearwear appropriate protective gearWear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.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...operate drill pressoperate drill pressOperate a semi-automated, semi-manual drill press to drill holes in a work piece, safely and according to regulations.apply precision metalworking techniquesapply precision metalworking techniquesComply with precision standards specific to an organisation or product in metalworking, involved in processes such as engraving, precise cutting, welding.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.
Optional (26) — show
cutting technologiescutting technologiesThe variety of cutting technologies, such as software or mechanics, guiding cutting processes through lasering, sawing, milling etc.ferrous metal processingferrous metal processingVarious processing methods on iron and iron-containing alloys such as steel, stainless steel and pig iron.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...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.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.diesdiesThe qualities and applications of various kinds of dies, the different components of a die (such as the die block, punch plate, pierce punch and others) and the types of die used in specialised manufa...types of plastictypes of plasticTypes of plastic materials and their chemical composition, physical properties, possible issues and usage cases.manufacturing of heating equipmentmanufacturing of heating equipmentThe manufacture of electrical ovens and water heaters by metalworking processes.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 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...types of drill press oilstypes of drill press oilsTypes of oil such as (sulphurarised) cutting oils, WD-40, 3-IN-ONE and others used in the drilling process to function as a lubricant that facilitates a smooth drilling process, keeps the drill bit co...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...work ergonomicallywork ergonomicallyApply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.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.manipulate plasticmanipulate plasticManipulate the properties, shape and size of plastic.monitor gaugemonitor gaugeOversee the data presented by a gauge concerning the measurement of pressure, temperature, thickness of a material, and others.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.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.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 file for deburringoperate file for deburringOperate various sizes and types of files used for removing burrs from and smoothening the edges of a workpiece.adjust temperature gaugesadjust temperature gaugesOperate temperature gauges to maintain food and drink items at appropriate temperatures.

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 drill press operator do?

Drill press operators set up and operate drill presses designed to cut excess material from or enlarge a hole in a fabricated workpiece using a hardened, rotary, multipointed cutting tool that inserts the drill into the workpiece axially.

What skills does a drill press operator need?

A drill press operator needs 16 essential skills, including quality and cycle time optimisation, quality standards, types of drill bits, supply machine with appropriate tools, remove inadequate workpieces.

Will AI replace drill press operator jobs?

The AI disruption score for drill press operator is 57/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: record production data for quality control, remove processed workpiece, monitor stock level. Most resilient: operate file for deburring, types of drill bits, work ergonomically.

AI Replacement Risk

57/ 100
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Quick Facts

SectorManufacturing & Production
ISCO GroupMetal, machinery and related trades workers
Essential Skills16

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