Sort shop orders into groups to maximize materials utilization and minimize machine setup time.

“Sort shop orders into groups to maximize materials utilization and minimize machine setup time.” is a core task performed by Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers. Among the occupation's 16 rated tasks, workers place it 7th by importance (#10 most important). About 68% 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.

• Plan work activities. in Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

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.

Other tasks in this occupation

• Determine the sequence of machine operations, and select the proper cutting tools needed to machine workpieces into the desired shapes. · importance 4.6
• 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
• 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-11971,
  title  = {Sort shop orders into groups to maximize materials utilization and minimize machine setup time.},
  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-11971}
}