Editing Machinist (section)

==Role in manufacturing==
[[File:WomanFactory1940s.jpg|thumb|right|Many women worked as machinists in the United States during [[World War II]], sometimes referred to as '[[Rosie the Riveter|Rosies]]'.]]
A machinist is usually called upon when a part needs to be produced from a stock material by cutting. Such a part may be unique or may be needed in the thousands. The part could be anything made from metal or plastic, though machined parts are usually ones that require high precision and cannot be produced by other means. Machinists generally start with a saw cut length of [[Bar stock|stock]] or a [[casting]]. Producing a part will often require several steps and more than one machine tool. Each machine tool plays a specific role in cutting away excess material. When large numbers of parts are needed, [[production planning]] is required to plan the most logical workflow through a series of machines. [[CNC|Computer numerical controlled (CNC)]] machines are computer-driven tools that can machine a large variety of shapes, and whose use in the workflow depends on the part to be machined.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = Tool & Die Makers - Tooling Engineers|url = http://www.esict.com/tool-and-die-maker|website = ESI Engineering Specialties Inc.|access-date = 2016-02-04|language = en-US}}</ref>

CNC machines are becoming the standard due to their speed, precision, flexibility, repeatability, and reduced downtime while changing jobs. Production runs consisting of large numbers of parts are more cost effective and commonly referred to as [[Mass production|production work]] in the trade. Conversely, small production runs are sometimes referred to as [[prototype]] or jobbing work.

[[Production engineering|Production engineers]] use blueprints and engineering drawings to produce detailed specifications of the part, especially its geometry (shape), then decide on a strategy to make it. Machine tools are then configured by the machinist and production commences. The machinist works with the quality department to ensure the specifications are maintained in the finished product.<ref name=":0" />
[[File:Cnc lathe.png|thumb|Machinist inspecting a CNC lathe]]
Large commercial organizations often staff machinists on site in a maintenance mode to ensure continuing operations of the production machinery. Such machinists can often make replacement parts the same day. Because of this, the labor cost for this role are significantly lower than costs involved with production shutdowns.