Description

Light metalworking machine operators operate metalworking machines which shape and form sheet or other light metal into parts or products. Heavy metalworking machine operators operate metalworking machines which shape and form steel or other heavy metal into parts or products. Forging machine operators operate forging machines to form and shape metal into various shapes and sizes and impart desired strength, hardness or other characteristics. Light metalworking machine operators are employed by sheet metal products manufacturing companies, sheet metal shops and other light metal products manufacturing establishments. Heavy metalworking machine operators are employed by structural steel fabrication, boiler and platework manufacturing companies, heavy machinery manufacturing companies and in the shipbuilding industry. Forging machine operators are employed primarily in the fabricated metal products, machinery and transportation equipment manufacturing industries.

Job Titles

• Bending machine tender – metal products manufacturing
• Mechanical press operator – metal products manufacturing

Main Duties

• Read specifications or follow verbal instructions
• Lay out, set up and operate one or more light or heavy metalworking machines such as shears, power presses, saws, plate rolls, drills, brakes, slitters, punch presses, computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment, and other hand tools to cut, bend, roll, ream, punch and drill, weld or otherwise shape and form metal stock into parts or products
• Operate machines or equipment which weld, solder, bolt, screw or rivet metal parts together
• Check products for correct shapes, dimensions and other specifications
• Troubleshoot and perform corrective action or minor repairs
• May select and transport material to work area manually or using crane or hoist
• May document work completed
• May build staging or erect scaffolding as required for heavy metalworking jobs
• May clean or lubricate equipment and replace parts as required.

Workplaces

• Boiler and platework manufacturing companies
• Heavy machinery manufacturing companies
• Light metal products manufacturing companies
• Sheet metal products manufacturing companies
• Sheet metal shops
• Shipbuilding industry
• Structural steel fabrication companies

Skills

• Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
• Operation and Control
• Preventative Maintenance
• Troubleshooting
• Coordinating

Abilities

• Auditory Attention
• Control of Settings
• Depth Perception
• Finger-Hand-Wrist Motion
• Multi-Limb Coordination

Personal Attributes

• Analytical Thinking
• Independence
• Stress Tolerance
• Adaptability
• Attention to Detail

Similar Occupations

• Sheet metal workers (72102)
• Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters (72104)
• Supervisors, other mechanical and metal products manufacturing (92023)

Source: OaSIS