punch press operator

Punch press operators set up and tend punch presses designed to cut workpieces into their desired shape by propelling a hydraulic ram to punch holes into them with a single die set that pushes through the top dead centre, through the surface, and to the bottom dead centre of the workpiece.

The most in-demand skills for this role include statistical process control, manufacturing processes, quality standards, supply machine with appropriate tools, remove inadequate workpieces, troubleshoot. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.

Our AI-durability model gives punch press operator a score of 0.50 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.