Workers who put together the parts of manufactured products are called assemblers. In some instances, such as the building of a car, hundreds of assemblers work on a single product; in others, such as the assembly of a toy doll, a single assembler may be responsible for each product. Assembly work varies from simple, repetitive jobs that are relatively easy to learn to those requiring great precision and many months of experience and training. Precision assemblers are the highly experienced and trained workers who assemble complicated products.
The work of precision assemblers requires a high degree of accuracy. Workers must be able to interpret detailed specifications and instructions and apply independent judgment. Some experienced assemblers work with engineers and technicians, assembling prototypes or test products. Precision assemblers involved in product development must know how to read and interpret engineering specifications from text, drawings, and computer-aided drafting systems, and how to use a variety of tools and precision measuring instruments.
Precision assemblers may work on subassemblies or the complete final assembly of finished products or components of products such as electronic equipment, machinery, or aircraft. For example, precision electrical and electronic equipment assemblers put together or modify prototypes or final assemblies of items such as missile control systems, radio or test equipment, computers, machine-tool numerical controls, radar, sonar, telemetering systems, and appliances. Precision electromechanical equipment assemblers prepare and test equipment or devices such as dynamometers, ejection seat mechanisms, magnetic drums, and tape drives. Precision machine builders construct, assemble, or rebuild engines and turbines, and office, agricultural, construction, oil field, rolling mill, textile, woodworking, paper, printing, and food wrapping machinery. Precision aircraft assemblers put together and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as wings or landing gear. Precision structural metal fitters align and fit structural metal parts according to detailed specifications prior to welding or riveting.
The manufacturing process is changing. Flexible manufacturing systems, which include the manufacturing applications of robotics, computers, programmable motion control, and various sensing technologies, are changing the way goods are made and affecting the jobs of those who make them. As manufacturing firms strive for greater precision and productivity, jobs that can be performed more economically or more accurately by automated equipment will be restructured; many of them will be upgraded or disappear. Until recently, however, relatively few precision assembly jobs have been eliminated by automation. The need for precision, independent judgment, and knowledge has placed many jobs beyond the capabilities of robots. Because much precision assembly work is done in difficult-to-reach locations unsuited for robots inside airplane fuselages or inside gear boxes, for example replacement of these workers by automated processes will be slower and less comprehensive than replacement of welders and painters.
One out of 3 precision assemblers works in the electronics industry.
The conditions under which precision assemblers work depend on the manufacturing plant where they are employed. Electronics assemblers sit at tables in rooms that are clean, well lighted, and free from dust. Assemblers of aircraft and industrial machinery, however, usually come in contact with oil and grease, and their working areas may be quite noisy. They may have to lift and fit heavy objects.
Work schedules of assemblers may vary at plants with more than one shift. In some plants, workers can accept or reject a certain job on a given shift, usually in order of seniority.
Virtually all of the 334,000 precision assembler jobs in 1992 were in plants that manufacture durable goods. Almost one-third of all jobs involved assembly of electronic and electrical machinery, equipment, and supplies including electrical switches, welding equipment, electric motors, lighting equipment, household appliances, and radios and television sets. Nearly one-quarter involved assembly of industrial machinery (diesel engines, steam turbine generators, farm tractors, mining and construction machinery, and office machines). Other industries employing many precision assemblers were transportation equipment (aircraft, autos, trucks, and buses) and instruments.
The following tabulation lists the industries that provided most wage and salary jobs for precision assemblers in 1992:
Total (percent).................................................. 100
Electronic and other electrical equipment........................ 32
Industrial machinery and equipment............................... 24
Transportation equipment......................................... 20
Instruments and related products................................. 18
Fabricated metal products........................................ 4
Other industries................................................. 2
Precision assemblers often are promoted from the ranks of workers in less skilled jobs in the same firm. Sometimes, outside applicants may be hired if they possess suitable experience. The ability to do accurate work at a rapid pace is a key job requirement. A high school diploma is helpful but usually is not required.
For some precision assembly jobs, applicants need specialized training. For example, employers may require that applicants for electrical or electronic assembler jobs be technical school graduates or have equivalent military training.
Good eyesight, with or without glasses, is required for assemblers who work with small parts. In plants that make electrical and electronic products, which may contain many different colored wires, applicants often are tested for color vision.
As precision assemblers become more experienced, they may progress to jobs that require more skill and be given more responsibility. Experienced assemblers who have learned many assembly operations and understand the construction of a product may become product repairers. These workers fix assembled articles that operators or inspectors have identified as defective. Assemblers also may advance to quality control jobs or be promoted to supervisor. In some firms, assemblers can become trainees for one of the skilled trades. Those with a background in math, science, and computers may advance to programmers or operators of more highly automated production equipment.
Opportunities for those who wish to become precision assemblers depend on the industries in which the jobs are located. For instance, there should be keen competition for assembly jobs in the aerospace and electronics industries. The aerospace industry is anticipating reductions in defense contracts through the 1990's, uncertain funding for space projects, and weaker commercial aircraft demand than was expected in the late 1980's. The electronics industry, on the other hand, faces the decade ahead with excellent prospects for growth. As firms invest in more automated production equipment and processes, however, the number of assembly jobs in electronics will fall.
Other industries employing precision assemblers, such as industrial machinery and instruments, may provide more opportunities for employment than the aerospace or electronics industries. But many firms in these industries sell their products all over the world and are subject to growing international competition.
The effect of automation on precision assembler employment will depend on how rapidly and extensively new manufacturing technologies are adopted. Not all precision assemblers can be replaced efficiently by automated processes. Flexible manufacturing systems are expensive, and a large volume of repetitive work is required to justify their purchase. Also, where the assembly parts involved are irregular in size, new technology is only now beginning to make inroads. For example, robot assembly works best where products are designed specifically to be assembled by robots. In addition, manufacturers are less willing to invest in product and equipment redesign as long as existing operations are profitable.
An alternative to automation for many firms is to send their subassembly or component production functions to countries where labor is cheaper. If this trend continues, assembly work sent abroad may well cost more jobs than robots or other automated manufacturing systems.
Employment of precision assemblers is expected to decline through the year 2005, with increasing automation offsetting any increase in employment that would have occurred due to industrial growth. Despite the expected decline in employment, a moderate number of job openings will occur as workers transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force.
Earnings information is somewhat limited for precision assemblers. Full-time workers who assemble electrical and electronic equipment had median weekly earnings of $318 in 1992. Most earned between $248 and $418; the lowest 10 percent earned less than $201 a week and the highest 10 percent, over $546.
In many unionized companies manufacturing autos, aircraft, and electronic equipment, wages of precision assemblers ranged from $400 to $600 per week in 1992.
Many precision assemblers are members of labor unions. These unions include the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America; the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America; the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; and the United Steelworkers.
Other occupations that involve operating machines and tools and assembling things are welders, ophthalmic laboratory technicians, and machine operators.
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Reprinted with Permission of U. S. Department of Labor