Watch clips from "How It's Made" to see how objects like artificial limbs, nails, footballs, mustard, and more are made. Choose a few to watch--which one surprised you most?

Watch how the objects all around us are made.

Watch a video to learn what CNC (computer numerical control) machining is and how it works. Is this something you're interested in working with?

Learn about CNC machining.

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, milling and engraving machines, and jig borers to make working models of metal or plastic objects. Includes template makers.

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Realistic

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Conventional

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Investigative

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Artistic

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Social

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Enterprising

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Model Makers and Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic

Production Occupations

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers

Study blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine material dimensions, required equipment, and operations sequences.

Inspect and test products to verify conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments or circuit testers.

Drill, countersink, and ream holes in parts and assemblies for bolts, screws, and other fasteners, using power tools.

Cut, shape, and form metal parts, using lathes, power saws, snips, power brakes and shears, files, and mallets.

Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, drill presses, punch presses, or bandsaws, to fabricate prototypes or models.

Devise and construct tools, dies, molds, jigs, and fixtures, or modify existing tools and equipment.

Rework or alter component model or parts as required to ensure that products meet standards.

Grind, file, and sand parts to finished dimensions.

Program computer numerical control (CNC) machines to fabricate model parts.

Lay out and mark reference points and dimensions on materials, using measuring instruments and drawing or scribing tools.

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

Overview

Career

What Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Do

Other Job Titles Model Makers, Metal and Plastic May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

Overview

Career

What Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Do

Other Job Titles Model Makers, Metal and Plastic May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

Majors Related to Career

Related Careers

Related Leaders