Will AI replace Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
AI can do 11% of the work Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders do at least twice as fast. Real use has not caught up: none of their tasks show up in real AI use yet, but AI could speed up 5 of them. Robots can technically handle 21 physical tasks. 3 still need a person.
AI is already doing this0 · 0% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- Real AI use has not reached any of this job's tasks yet.
AI could do this next5 · 11% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines.4% of time
- Record operational information on specified production reports.2% of time
- Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records.2% of time
- Compute and record settings for new work, applying knowledge of metal properties, principles of welding, and shop mathematics.1% of time
- Devise or build fixtures or jigs used to hold parts in place during welding, brazing, or soldering.1% of time
Robots can technically do this21 · 79% of time
Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.
- Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.Robots: purpose built settings16% of time
- Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.Robots: purpose built settings7% of time
- Load or feed workpieces into welding machines to join or bond components.Robots: structured workplaces6% of time
- Start, monitor, and adjust robotic welding production lines.Robots: purpose built settings6% of time
- Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.Robots: purpose built settings6% of time
- Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.Robots: purpose built settings5% of time
- Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills.Robots: purpose built settings5% of time
- Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements, as necessary.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
- Remove completed workpieces or parts from machinery, using hand tools.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
- Clean, lubricate, maintain, and adjust equipment to maintain efficient operation, using air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
- Conduct trial runs before welding, soldering, or brazing, and make necessary adjustments to equipment.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
- Select, position, align, and bolt jigs, holding fixtures, guides, or stops onto machines, using measuring instruments and hand tools.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
- Set dials and timing controls to regulate electrical current, gas flow pressure, heating or cooling cycles, or shut-off.Robots: structured workplaces2% of time
- Transfer components, metal products, or assemblies, using moving equipment.Robots: structured workplaces2% of time
- Dress electrodes, using tip dressers, files, emery cloths, or dressing wheels.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
- Tend auxiliary equipment used in welding processes.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
- Fill hoppers and position spouts to direct flow of flux or manually brush flux onto seams of workpieces.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
- Add chemicals or materials to workpieces or machines to facilitate bonding or to cool workpieces.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
- Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, or scribes.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
- Anneal finished workpieces to relieve internal stress.Robots: purpose built settingsunder 1% of time
- Immerse completed workpieces into water or acid baths to cool and clean components.Robots: purpose built settingsunder 1% of time
Still needs a person3 · 10% of time
No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.
- Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.5% of time
- Observe meters, gauges, or machine operations to ensure that soldering or brazing processes meet specifications.4% of time
- Give directions to other workers regarding machine set-up and use.1% of time
Your week is not the average
Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.
What this means
Little of this work suits AI. The bigger change here is robots: today's robots can technically do 86% of the working time, though they are rarely cheap enough to replace people yet.
What to do next
- Get ahead on the 5 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
- Keep an eye on the 21 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
- Build on the 3 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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