Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly
Little of this can be handed to software today.
This happens in the physical world, so software agents do not touch it. Automation here means robotics and machinery, which is a different market from the one mapped on this site, on a much slower clock.
| How automatable | Barely automatable |
|---|---|
| Kind of work | Physical, manual and inspection work |
| Jobs that do it | 25 occupations |
| Tool categories that apply | None |
| O*NET activity | Handling and Moving Objects (4.A.3.a.2) |
What this looks like on the job
Not our paraphrase. These are real task statements recorded against this activity, spread across the 25 occupations that perform it.
- Position and align subassemblies in jigs or fixtures, using measuring instruments and following blueprint lines and index points.
- Position, align, or adjust workpieces or electrical parts to facilitate wiring or assembly.
- Assemble parts or units, and position, align, and fasten units to assemblies, subassemblies, or frames, using hand tools and power tools.
- Position or align components for assembly, manually or using hoists.
- Position, align, fit, and weld parts to form complete units or subunits, following blueprints and layout specifications, and using jigs, welding torches, and hand tools.
- Adjust sizes or positioning of timepiece parts to achieve specified fit or function, using calipers, fixtures, and loupes.
- Position, align, and secure workpieces against fixtures or stops on machine beds or on dies.
- Verify that workpiece reference lines are parallel to the axis of table rotation, using dial indicators mounted in spindles.
- Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments such as rules, gauges, or calipers.
- Align, fit, and join parts, using bolts and screws or by welding or gluing.
- Align layout marks with dies or blades.
- Align and clamp workpieces together, using rules, squares, or hand tools, or position items in fixtures, jigs, or vises.
- Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.
- Fit and align fabricated parts to be welded or assembled.
- Baste edges of material to align and temporarily secure parts for final assembly.
- Align and stitch or glue materials such as fabric, fleece, leather, or wood, to join parts.
- Align parts to be stitched, following seams, edges, or markings, before positioning them under needles.
- Measure and align parts, fasteners, or trimmings, following seams, edges, or markings on parts.
What we would actually use
Nothing in our landscape addresses this work. That is the honest answer rather than a padded list: this activity needs a person present, or a machine rather than a software agent.
Nothing on this site applies. Automation here is robotics and machinery, a different market on a much slower clock, and no software subscription moves it.
Chosen for the cheapest thing that does the job, not the best funded. Nothing on this site is sponsored, and the full landscape is there when you want to disagree with us.
How people actually do it
No workflow names this activity yet, but these automate the same kind of work, with the prompts to paste and what to keep for yourself.
Who does this work
25 occupations in the O*NET database perform this activity. Each one has a full breakdown of its other tasks.
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers
- Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
- Sewers, Hand
- Sewing Machine Operators
- Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
- Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
- Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters
- Tire Builders
- Upholsterers
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Work that goes with it
O*NET groups these under “Position materials or components for assembly”. In practice they tend to be done by the same person, in the same sitting.
Method. The activity, its taxonomy placement and the occupations that perform it come straight from the public-domain O*NET 30.3 database. The automatability band is ours: we map each of O*NET’s 41 generalized work activities to how much of its output current software can produce, assuming a person still reviews and owns the result. It is a coarse three-way judgment on purpose. A precise-looking percentage here would be invented.