Compute data, such as gear dimensions or machine settings, applying knowledge of shop mathematics.

“Compute data, such as gear dimensions or machine settings, applying knowledge of shop mathematics.” is a core task performed by Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic. Among the occupation's 21 rated tasks, workers place it 8th by importance (#14 most important). About 79% of workers say it is relevant to their job.

This is a single occupation-specific task statement from O*NET. The figures below describe how central the task is to the job and what independent studies measure about AI and this kind of work — not a prediction that the task will be automated.

Work activities this task rolls up to

O*NET groups concrete tasks into broader work activities shared across many occupations.

• Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipment. in Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information

AI exposure

The OpenAI / Eloundou “GPTs are GPTs” study rates this task E1. Direct exposure — a language model could plausibly cut the time to do this task by at least half.

Exposure measures whether a model could meaningfully speed the task up — it is an estimate of overlap with model capabilities, not a measure of whether the work will be done by software. The study's intermediate score (β) for this task is 1.00. Automation potential label: T3.

How AI is actually used on this kind of task

The Anthropic Economic Index observes how people actually use AI on tasks like this one across millions of real conversations.

• 0.076% share of AI-use records mapped to this task
• Most common interaction: directive
• Average autonomy of the AI: 3.0 (1–5; higher = more autonomous)
• 91% of interactions still needed a human in the loop

Observed AI use describes people choosing to use AI as a tool on this kind of task today. It is augmentation and assistance, not a measure of jobs replaced.

Working with AI vs. handing it off

Of the AI conversations mapped to this task, the split between people working alongside AI and people delegating the task to it.

How people interact with AI on this task

Other tasks in this occupation

• Inspect workpieces for defects, and measure workpieces to determine accuracy of machine operation, using rules, templates, or other measuring instruments. · importance 4.6
• Position, adjust, and secure stock material or workpieces against stops, on arbors, or in chucks, fixtures, or automatic feeding mechanisms, manually or using hoists. · importance 4.4
• Read blueprints or job orders to determine product specifications and tooling instructions and to plan operational sequences. · importance 4.3
• Select, install, and adjust alignment of drills, cutters, dies, guides, and holding devices, using templates, measuring instruments, and hand tools. · importance 4.3
• Observe machine operation to detect workpiece defects or machine malfunctions, adjusting machines as necessary. · importance 4.2
• Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, cutters, shears, borers, millers, grinders, presses, drills, or auxiliary machines, to make metallic and plastic workpieces. · importance 4.2
• Measure and mark reference points and cutting lines on workpieces, using traced templates, compasses, and rules. · importance 4.1
• Change worn machine accessories, such as cutting tools or brushes, using hand tools. · importance 4.1
• Set machine stops or guides to specified lengths as indicated by scales, rules, or templates. · importance 4.0
• Select the proper coolants and lubricants and start their flow. · importance 4.0
• Perform minor machine maintenance, such as oiling or cleaning machines, dies, or workpieces, or adding coolant to machine reservoirs. · importance 4.0
• Remove burrs, sharp edges, rust, or scale from workpieces, using files, hand grinders, wire brushes, or power tools. · importance 4.0
• Make minor electrical and mechanical repairs and adjustments to machines and notify supervisors when major service is required. · importance 3.9
• Start machines and turn handwheels or valves to engage feeding, cooling, and lubricating mechanisms. · importance 3.9

See all tasks on the Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic page.

Sources for this page

Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.

• O*NET 30.3 U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development
• Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27) Anthropic
• “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130 OpenAI / academic

Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.

@misc{singulariki-task-10223,
  title  = {Compute data, such as gear dimensions or machine settings, applying knowledge of shop mathematics.},
  author = {{Singulariki}},
  year   = {2026},
  note   = {O*NET 30.3; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130. Accessed June 7, 2026},
  url    = {https://singulariki.com/tasks/task-10223}
}