Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 7223
Laser cutting machine operator
A laser cutting machine operator is a person who sets up, programmes and runs the laser cutting machines that remove excess material from a metal part, by burning and melting rather than shearing it, with a powerful computer-controlled beam directed through laser optics.
Check yourself in a minute: laser cutting machine operator
Rate 5 of the 27 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 laser cutting machine operator
The operator reads the laser cutter's diagrams and the tooling instructions, configures the machine control panel, and makes adjustments to the cutting control, including the intensity and the position of the beam. The operator verifies laser beam measurements to make sure the beam has the right power and focus. Test pieces are run before the batch.
Choosing those settings requires knowledge of laser types and metal types. The same thickness in mild steel, in stainless and in aluminium needs different power, speed and assist gas, so settings are chosen separately for each material and thickness.
The operator applies statistical process control methods, which means sampling the output and watching whether the process is drifting rather than waiting for a part to fail inspection. The operator also carries out regular machine maintenance, covering the optics, the nozzles, the filters and the slats. The operator also solves problems at the machine. The job calls for reading technical drawings and running computer-controlled machines; formal requirements are set by the employer.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (27)
statistical process controlstatistical process controlMethod of quality control that uses statistics to monitor processes.CAM softwareCAM softwareDifferent tools for computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to control machinery and machine tools in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation as part of the manufacturing processes of workpie...manufacturing processesmanufacturing processesThe steps required through which a material is transformed into a product, its development and full-scale manufacturing.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.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.laser typeslaser typesThe various types of lasers, their specific qualities and their applications, such as for cutting, engraving, welding, 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.read standard blueprintsread standard blueprintsRead and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.ensure equipment availabilityensure equipment availabilityEnsure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.use CAM softwareuse CAM softwareUse computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programmes to control machinery and machine tools in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation as part of the manufacturing processes of workpieces.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...use automatic programminguse automatic programmingUtilise specialised software tools to generate computer code from specifications, such as diagrams, structured informations or other means of describing functionality.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.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.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.verify laser beam measurementverify laser beam measurementSafely carry out power measurement, including power stability. Carry out beam profiling in different areas of the build platform and use other measurement equipment to determine other laser beam prope...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.interpret geometric dimensions and tolerancesinterpret geometric dimensions and tolerancesUnderstand and assess the models and symbolic language of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) systems indicating engineering tolerances.apply control process statistical methodsapply control process statistical methodsApply statistical methods from Design of Experiments (DOE) and Statistical Process Control (SPC) in order to control manufacturing processes.
Optional (37) — show
non-ferrous metal processingnon-ferrous metal processingVarious processing methods on non-ferrous metals and alloys such as copper, zinc and aluminium.geometrygeometryBranch of mathematics related to questions of shape, size, relative position of figures and the properties of space.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.CADD softwareCADD softwareThe computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) is the use of computer technology for design and design documentation. CAD software replaces manual drafting with an automated process.electrical engineeringelectrical engineeringThe field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.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...CAE softwareCAE softwareThe software to perform computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis tasks such as Finite Element Analysis and Computional Fluid Dynamics.trigonometrytrigonometryThe subdiscipline of mathematics which explores relationships among angles and lengths of triangles.manufacturing of steel drums and similar containersmanufacturing of steel drums and similar containersThe manufacture of pails, cans, drums, buckets, boxes, through metalworking processes.CAD softwareCAD softwareThe computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.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 jewellerymanufacturing of jewelleryThe manufacturing of different type of jewellery such as rings or necklaces out of various metal types such as silver, gold, diamond and other precious stones.manufacturing of daily use goodsmanufacturing of daily use goodsThe manufacturing of items used in the daily life, personal use or daily practice. These products include protective safety equipment, drawing equipment, stamps, umbrellas, cigarette lighters, baskets...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 sports equipmentmanufacturing of sports equipmentThe manufacture of products and equipment used for both outdoor and indoor sports activities, such as balls, rackets, ski's, surfboards, fishing, hunting, skating or fitness centre equipment.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.record production data for quality controlrecord production data for quality controlKeep records of the machine's faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.monitor stock levelmonitor stock levelEvaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.procure mechanical machineryprocure mechanical machineryProcure adequate machinery. Research the market to find the best machinery, staying within budget limits, and negotiate the purchase. Maintain records.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.maintain mechanical equipmentmaintain mechanical equipmentObserve and listen to machinery operation to detect malfunction. Service, repair, adjust, and test machines, parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical principles. Maintain...tend CNC laser cutting machinetend CNC laser cutting machineMonitor and operate a computer numerical controlled (CNC) laser cutting machine according to regulations.use CAD softwareuse CAD softwareUse computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.program a CNC controllerprogram a CNC controllerSet up the desired product design in the CNC controller of the CNC machine for product manufacturing.keep records of work progresskeep records of work progressMaintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.liaise with managersliaise with managersLiaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.
Related Occupations
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Frequently asked questions
What does a laser cutting machine operator do?
Laser cutting machine operators set up, program and tend laser cutting machines, designed to cut, or rather burn off and melt, excess material from a metal workpiece by directing a computer-motion-controlled powerful laser beam through laser optics. They read laser cutting machine blueprints and tooling instructions, perform regular machine maintenance, and make adjustments to the milling controls, such as the intensity of the laser beam and its positioning.
What skills does a laser cutting machine operator need?
A laser cutting machine operator needs 27 essential skills, including statistical process control, CAM software, manufacturing processes, quality and cycle time optimisation, types of metal.
Will AI replace laser cutting machine operator jobs?
The AI disruption score for laser cutting machine operator is 52/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: geometry, record production data for quality control, remove processed workpiece. Most resilient: laser types, maintain mechanical equipment, manufacturing of cutlery.
AI Replacement Risk
52/ 100
Moderate Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
ISCO GroupMetal, machinery and related trades workers
Essential Skills27
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