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Career Details :: Tool and Die Makers
Description
Analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine tools, and fit and assemble parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists' hand tools.
Experience
A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Tasks
- Fits and assembles parts, using bolts, glue, and other fasteners, and hand tools, such as hammers and wrenches.
- Sets pyrometer controls of heat-treating furnace, and feeds or places parts, tools, or assemblies into furnace to harden.
- Operates power press to test completed dies, and applies pigment to die to indicate high spots that require reworking.
- Cuts, shapes, and trims blank or block to specified length or shape, using power saws, power shears, rule, and hand tools.
- Studies blueprints or specifications and visualizes shape of die, part, or tool.
- Sets up and operates machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, and grinders, to machine parts.
- Measures, marks, and scribes metal or plastic stock to lay out machining, using instruments, such as protractors, micrometers, scribes, and rulers.
- Lifts, positions, and secures machined parts on surface plate or worktable, using hoist, vises, v-blocks, or angle plates.
- Sets up and operates drill press to drill and tap holes in parts for assembly.
- Smoothes and polishes flat and contoured surfaces of parts or tools, using scrapers, abrasive stones, files, emery cloth, or power grinder.
- Inspects die for smoothness, contour conformity, and defects by touch or visually, using loupe or microscope.
- Repairs or modifies tools and dies, using machine tools and hand tools.
- Verifies dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, and dial indicators.
- Fabricates saw blades, using power roller to straighten blade stock, punch press to cut teeth, and power grinder to sharpen teeth.
- Connects wiring and hydraulic lines to install electrical and hydraulic components.
- Computes dimensions of assembly and plans sequence of operations.
- Designs tools, jigs, fixtures, and templates for use as work aids.
- Casts plastic tools or parts, or tungsten-carbide cutting tips, using pre-made molds.
Related Careers
- Cutters and Trimmers, Hand
- Embossing Machine Set-Up Operators
- Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Grinding, Honing, Lapping, and Deburring Machine Set-Up Operators
- Mold Makers, Hand
- Molding and Casting Workers
- Punching Machine Setters and Set-Up Operators, Metal and Plastic
- Soldering and Brazing Machine Operators and Tenders
Important Abilities
General Work Activities
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, Material
Important Skills
Frequent Work Context
- Indoors
- Using Hands on Objects, Tools, Controls
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
- Consequence of Error
Institutions Offering Related Majors
No institutions found.