Career Details :: Electrolytic Plating and Coating Machine Setters and Set-Up Operators, Metal and Plastic
Description
Set up or set up and operate electrolytic plating or coating machines, such as continuous multistrand electrogalvanizing machines, to coat metal or plastic products electrolytically with chromium, copper, cadmium, or other metal to provide protective or decorative surfaces or to build up worn surfaces.
Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.
Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.
Tasks
- Suspends object, such as part or mold, from cathode rod (negative terminal) and immerses object in plating solution.
- Immerses object in cleaning and rinsing baths to complete plating process.
- Removes plated object from solution at periodic intervals and observes object to ensure conformance to specifications.
- Suspends stick or piece of plating metal from anode (positive terminal) and immerses metal in plating solution.
- Measures, marks, and masks areas excluded from plating.
- Mixes chemical solutions, fills tanks and charges furnaces.
- Grinds, polishes, or rinses object in water and dries object to maintain clean even surface.
- Examines object at end of process to determine thickness of metal deposit or measures thickness, using instruments such as micrometers.
- Determines size and composition of object to be plated and amount of electrical current and time required, following work order.
- Moves controls to permit electrodeposition of metal on object or to regulate movement of wire strand to obtain specified thickness.
- Adjusts voltage and amperage, based on observations.
- Plates small objects, such as nuts or bolts, using motor-driven barrel.
Related Careers
- Embossing Machine Set-Up Operators
- Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
- Mold Makers, Hand
- Molding and Casting Workers
- Platemakers
- Precision Etchers and Engravers, Hand or Machine
- Precision Mold and Pattern Casters, except Nonferrous Metals
Important Abilities
General Work Activities
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Monitor Processes, Material, Surroundings
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, Material
Important Skills
Frequent Work Context
- Indoors
- Consequence of Error
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
- Using Hands on Objects, Tools, Controls
Institutions Offering Related Majors
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