Determine the sequence of machine operations, and select the proper cutting tools needed to machine workpieces into the desired shapes.

“Determine the sequence of machine operations, and select the proper cutting tools needed to machine workpieces into the desired shapes.” is a core task performed by Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers. Among the occupation's 16 rated tasks, workers place it 16th by importance (#1 most important). About 90% 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.

• Determine operational methods or procedures. in Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Select materials or equipment for operations or projects. in Making Decisions and Solving Problems

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: T1.

Other tasks in this occupation

• Analyze job orders, drawings, blueprints, specifications, printed circuit board pattern films, and design data to calculate dimensions, tool selection, machine speeds, and feed rates. · importance 4.5
• Observe machines on trial runs or conduct computer simulations to ensure that programs and machinery will function properly and produce items that meet specifications. · importance 4.4
• Write programs in the language of a machine's controller and store programs on media, such as punch tapes, magnetic tapes, or disks. · importance 4.4
• Determine reference points, machine cutting paths, or hole locations, and compute angular and linear dimensions, radii, and curvatures. · importance 4.3
• Enter computer commands to store or retrieve parts patterns, graphic displays, or programs that transfer data to other media. · importance 4.2
• Revise programs or tapes to eliminate errors, and retest programs to check that problems have been solved. · importance 4.2
• Modify existing programs to enhance efficiency. · importance 4.1
• Enter coordinates of hole locations into program memories by depressing pedals or buttons of programmers. · importance 4.0
• Sort shop orders into groups to maximize materials utilization and minimize machine setup time. · importance 3.8
• Compare encoded tapes or computer printouts with original part specifications and blueprints to verify accuracy of instructions. · importance 3.8
• Prepare geometric layouts from graphic displays, using computer-assisted drafting software or drafting instruments and graph paper. · importance 3.8
• Perform preventative maintenance or minor repairs on machines. · importance 3.7
• Write instruction sheets and cutter lists for a machine's controller to guide setup and encode numerical control tapes. · importance 3.5
• Align and secure pattern film on reference tables of optical programmers, and observe enlarger scope views of printed circuit boards. · importance 3.3

See all tasks on the Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers 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
• “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130 OpenAI / academic

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

@misc{singulariki-task-11959,
  title  = {Determine the sequence of machine operations, and select the proper cutting tools needed to machine workpieces into the desired shapes.},
  author = {{Singulariki}},
  year   = {2026},
  note   = {O*NET 30.3; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130. Accessed June 7, 2026},
  url    = {https://singulariki.com/tasks/task-11959}
}