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Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Occupation Detailed Description

Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

The main tasks and work activities of Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are to review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences, study blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements, record operational or production data, operate heating or drying equipment. In general, for the Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, operation Monitoring, operation and Control, monitoring, speaking and other 6 skills are required.
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Job Description
EducationThese occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related ExperienceSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job TrainingEmployees 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.
ExampleThese occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic jobs. 69.85% of Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 9.81% of Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
20.06%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
69.85%
Post-Secondary Certificate
9.81%
Some College Courses
0.00%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.28%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
0.00%

Tasks and Work Activities of Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

  • 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.
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Performing General Physical ActivitiesPerforming physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRunning, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
  • Study blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements.
  • Record operational or production data.
  • Operate heating or drying equipment.
  • Determine metal or plastic production methods.
  • Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.
  • Position raw materials on processing or production equipment.
  • Instruct workers to use equipment or perform technical procedures.
  • Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
  • Load items into ovens or furnaces.
  • Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
  • Adjust equipment controls to regulate gas flow.
  • Signal others to coordinate work activities.
  • Inspect metal, plastic, or composite products.
  • Repair production equipment or tools.
  • Replace worn equipment components.
  • Maintain production or processing equipment.
  • Heat material or workpieces to prepare for or complete production.
  • Clean production equipment.
  • Lift materials or workpieces using cranes or other lifting equipment.

Skills and Abilities for Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Equipment MaintenancePerforming routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Multilimb CoordinationThe ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Reaction TimeThe ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Trunk StrengthThe ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
  • Static StrengthThe ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • StaminaThe ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Rate ControlThe ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
  • Heat treating age hardening furnacee.g. Annealing furnaces
  • Heat treating age hardening furnacee.g. Atmosphere furnaces
  • Salt bath furnacee.g. Automated salt bath furnaces
  • Heat treating age hardening furnacee.g. Batch type hardening furnaces
  • Bridge cranese.g. Bridge cranes
  • Carburization and nitrification electric furnacee.g. Carbonitriding equipment
  • Hoistse.g. Chain hoists
  • Claw hammere.g. Claw hammers
  • Conductivity meterse.g. Conductivity testers
  • Heat treating age hardening furnacee.g. Continuous hardening furnaces
  • Thermocouplese.g. Digital thermocouples
  • Hand trucks or accessoriese.g. Electronic hand trucks
  • Air exhausterse.g. Exhaust gas collection systems
  • Protective glovese.g. Fiberglass gloves
  • Protective glovese.g. Finger protection gloves
  • Heat treating age hardening furnacee.g. Flame-hardening machines
  • Jib cranee.g. Free-standing jib cranes
  • Gas generatorse.g. Gas powered generators
  • Facial shieldse.g. Heat resistant face masks
  • Heat treating age hardening furnacee.g. Induction hardening furnaces
  • Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.