Details for Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Description
Set up, operate, or tend heating equipment, such as heat-treating furnaces, flame-hardening machines, induction machines, soaking pits, or vacuum equipment to temper, harden, anneal, or heat-treat metal or plastic objects.
Tasks
- Read production schedules and work orders to determine processing sequences, furnace temperatures, and heat cycle requirements for objects to be heat-treated.
- Record times that parts are removed from furnaces to document that objects have attained specified temperatures for specified times.
- Set up and operate or tend machines, such as furnaces, baths, flame-hardening machines, and electronic induction machines, that harden, anneal, and heat-treat metal.
- Determine types and temperatures of baths and quenching media needed to attain specified part hardness, toughness, and ductility, using heat-treating charts and knowledge of methods, equipment, and metals.
- Remove parts from furnaces after specified times, and air dry or cool parts in water, oil brine, or other baths.
- Position stock in furnaces, using tongs, chain hoists, or pry bars.
- Instruct new workers in machine operation.
- Adjust controls to maintain temperatures and heating times, using thermal instruments and charts, dials and gauges of furnaces, and color of stock in furnaces to make setting determinations.
- Determine flame temperatures, current frequencies, heating cycles, and induction heating coils needed, based on degree of hardness required and properties of stock to be treated.
- Load parts into containers and place containers on conveyors to be inserted into furnaces, or insert parts into furnaces.
- Mount workpieces in fixtures, on arbors, or between centers of machines.
- Set up and operate die-quenching machines to prevent parts from warping.
- Move controls to light gas burners and to adjust gas and water flow and flame temperature.
- Reduce heat when processing is complete to allow parts to cool in furnaces or machinery.
- Signal forklift operators to deposit or extract containers of parts into and from furnaces and quenching rinse tanks.
- Test parts for hardness, using hardness testing equipment, or by examining and feeling samples.
- Examine parts to ensure metal shades and colors conform to specifications, using knowledge of metal heat-treating.
- Repair, replace, and maintain furnace equipment as needed, using hand tools.
- Start conveyors and open furnace doors to load stock, or signal crane operators to uncover soaking pits and lower ingots into them.
- Heat billets, bars, plates, rods, and other stock to specified temperatures preparatory to forging, rolling, or processing, using oil, gas, or electrical furnaces.
- Clean oxides and scales from parts or fittings, using steam sprays or chemical and water baths.
- Place completed workpieces on conveyors, using cold rods, tongs, or chain hoists, or signal crane operators to transport them to subsequent stations.
- Stamp heat-treatment identification marks on parts, using hammers and punches.
- Set and adjust speeds of reels and conveyors for prescribed time cycles to pass parts through continuous furnaces.
- Mount fixtures and industrial coils on machines, using hand tools.
- Position parts in plastic bags, and seal bags with irons.
Interests
- Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Education, training, experience
- Education - These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
- Training - Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
- Experience - Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Knowledge
- Education and Training -Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Skills
None found.
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