Tool and die makers are workers in the manufacturing industry who make jigs, fixtures, dies, molds, machine tools, cutting tools (such as milling cutters and form tools), gauges, and other tools used in manufacturing processes.
Mechanical engineers and tool and die makers often work in close consultation. There is often turnover between the careers, as one person may end up working in both at different times of their life, depending on the turns of their particular educational and career path.
Tool and die makers are a class of machinists who work primarily in tool room environments—sometimes literally in one room but more often in an environment with flexible, semi permeable boundaries from production work.
