Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

• AI can speed this up on its own: 1 (4%)
• AI can speed this up with extra software: 1 (4%)
• Little or no AI speed-up: 26 (93%)

• Maintain production records, such as quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
• Review work orders, blueprints, specifications, or job samples to determine components, settings, and adjustments for cutting and slicing machines.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
• Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices, such as rulers, micrometers, or scales.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Press buttons, pull levers, or depress pedals to start and operate cutting and slicing machines.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Start machines to verify setups, and make any necessary adjustments.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Feed stock into cutting machines, onto conveyors, or under cutting blades, by threading, guiding, pushing, or turning handwheels.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Monitor operation of cutting or slicing machines to detect malfunctions or to determine whether supplies need replenishment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Stack and sort cut material for packaging, further processing, or shipping, according to types and sizes of material.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Adjust machine controls to alter position, alignment, speed, or pressure.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Remove completed materials or products from cutting or slicing machines, and stack or store them for additional processing.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Remove defective or substandard materials from machines, and readjust machine components so that products meet standards.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Position stock along cutting lines, or against stops on beds of scoring or cutting machines.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Move stock or scrap to and from machines manually, or by using carts, handtrucks, or lift trucks.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Select and install machine components, such as cutting blades, rollers, and templates, according to specifications, using hand tools.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Clean and lubricate cutting machines, conveyors, blades, saws, or knives, using steam hoses, scrapers, brushes, or oil cans.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Operate cranes, or signal crane operators to position or remove stone from cars or saw beds.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Mark cutting lines or identifying information on stock, using marking pencils, rulers, or scribes.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Start pumps to circulate water and abrasives onto blades or cables during cutting.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Type instructions on computer keyboards, push buttons to activate computer programs, or manually set cutting guides, clamps, and knives.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Change or replace saw blades, cables, cutter heads, and grinding wheels, using hand tools.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Position width gauge blocks between blades, and level blades and insert wedges into frames to secure blades to frames.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Direct workers on cutting teams.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Sharpen cutting blades, knives, or saws, using files, bench grinders, or honing stones.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Turn cranks or press buttons to activate winches that move cars under sawing cables or saw frames.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Tighten pulleys or add abrasives to maintain cutting speeds.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Cut stock manually to prepare for machine cutting, using tools such as knives, cleavers, handsaws, or hammers and chisels.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Wash stones, using water hoses.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

Questions about cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders and AI