A professional who lays out metal stock or workpieces, such as castings, plates, or machine parts, to indicate location, dimensions, and tolerances necessary for further processing, such as machining, welding, or assembly, analyzing specifications and computing dimensions according to knowledge of product, subsequent processing, shop mathematics, and layout procedures. Respnsibilities include:

• Studies blueprint, sketch, model, or other specifications and plans layout.
• Examines workpiece and verifies such requirements as dimensions and squareness, using rule, square, and straightedge.
• Lifts and positions workpiece in relation to surface plate manually or with hoist, using such work aids as shims, parallel blocks, and angle plates.
• Verifies position with measuring instruments, such as gauge blocks, height gauges, and dial indicators.
• Determines reference points and computes layout dimensions.
• Sets indicators on height gauge, protractor, or layout machine to computed dimensions, or projects dimensions by setting indicators to specified locations on model and moving instrument or machine so that indicators bear on corresponding locations on workpiece.
• Indents layout points, using prick punch, center punch, and hammer.
• Marks or scribes layout lines, using handtools and work aids, such as surface gauge, straightedge, compasses, templates, and scriber.
• Marks such data as dimensions, instructions, and part identification on workpiece.
• Works to tolerances as close as plus 0.001 inch.
• May position model in parallel relationship to workpiece.
• May apply pigment to layout surfaces, using paint brush.
• May inspect machined parts to verify conformance to specifications.
• May add dimensional details to blueprints or prepare dimensional drawings to be followed by other workers.
• May layout sheet metal or plate steel, applying specialized knowledge of sheet metal layout geometry.