Patternmakers, Wood

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

• AI can speed this up on its own: 4 (20%)
• AI can speed this up with extra software: 2 (10%)
• Little or no AI speed-up: 14 (70%)

• Estimate costs for patternmaking jobs.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
• Maintain pattern records for reference.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
• Compute dimensions, areas, volumes, and weights.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
• Inventory equipment and supplies, ordering parts and tools as necessary.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
• Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
• Lay out patterns on wood stock and draw outlines of units, sectional patterns, or full-scale mock-ups of products, based on blueprint specifications and sketches, and using marking and measuring devices.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
• Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts together to form patterns, models, or sections, using glue, nails, dowels, bolts, and screws.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces, and plane, shave, file, scrape, and sand models to attain specified shapes, using hand tools.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Divide patterns into sections according to shapes of castings to facilitate removal of patterns from molds.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Verify dimensions of completed patterns, using templates, straightedges, calipers, or protractors.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Correct patterns to compensate for defects in castings.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Set up, operate, and adjust a variety of woodworking machines such as bandsaws and lathes to cut and shape sections, parts, and patterns, according to specifications.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Finish completed products or models with shellac, lacquer, wax, or paint.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Mark identifying information such as colors or codes on patterns, parts, and templates to indicate assembly methods.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Repair broken or damaged patterns.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Glue fillets along interior angles of patterns.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Construct wooden models, templates, full scale mock-ups, jigs, or molds for shaping parts of products.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Select lumber to be used for patterns.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Collect and store patterns and lumber.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Issue patterns to designated machine operators.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task