Computer Numerically Controlled—or “CNC” (Narrator, pronounced: “see-en-see”)—machines are industrial robots that drill, grind, punch, extrude, or mill plastic or metal stock into parts for home appliances, industrial equipment, and many other products. The machines are very fast, very efficient, and very accurate. But they are useless without skilled numerical control machine operators. Human beings must set up every machine, making sure that the various bits, bores, and other tool heads are sharp and racked where the machine expects them to be. Operators must also make sure that the proper computer control program has been loaded. Because CNC machines greatly improve productivity, more and more companies are beginning to use them. That’s why the demand for numerical control machine operators is expected to grow. After all, someone has to check up on the robots.