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Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Occupation Detailed Description

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

The main tasks and work activities of Model Makers, Metal and Plastic are to review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences, read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements, operate cutting equipment, operate metal or plastic forming equipment. In general, for the Model Makers, Metal and Plastic, operation and Control, operation Monitoring, quality Control Analysis, monitoring and other 7 skills are required.
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious 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.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic jobs. 39.85% of Model Makers, Metal and Plastic have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 39.06% of Model Makers, Metal and Plastic have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
39.85%
Post-Secondary Certificate
39.06%
Some College Courses
0.00%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
21.09%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
0.00%

Tasks and Work Activities of Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

  • Study blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine material dimensions, required equipment, and operations sequences.
  • Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, drill presses, punch presses, or bandsaws, to fabricate prototypes or models.
  • Inspect and test products to verify conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments or circuit testers.
  • Cut, shape, and form metal parts, using lathes, power saws, snips, power brakes and shears, files, and mallets.
  • Lay out and mark reference points and dimensions on materials, using measuring instruments and drawing or scribing tools.
  • Drill, countersink, and ream holes in parts and assemblies for bolts, screws, and other fasteners, using power tools.
  • Grind, file, and sand parts to finished dimensions.
  • Record specifications, production operations, and final dimensions of models for use in establishing operating standards and procedures.
  • Rework or alter component model or parts as required to ensure that products meet standards.
  • Align, fit, and join parts, using bolts and screws or by welding or gluing.
  • Consult and confer with engineering personnel to discuss developmental problems and to recommend product modifications.
  • Assemble mechanical, electrical, and electronic components into models or prototypes, using hand tools, power tools, and fabricating machines.
  • Devise and construct tools, dies, molds, jigs, and fixtures, or modify existing tools and equipment.
  • Wire and solder electrical and electronic connections and components.
  • Program computer numerical control (CNC) machines to fabricate model parts.
  • Use computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software or hardware to fabricate model parts.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentProviding documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
  • Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
  • Operate cutting equipment.
  • Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
  • Inspect metal, plastic, or composite products.
  • Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing.
  • Shape metal workpieces with hammers or other small hand tools.
  • Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
  • Drill holes in parts, equipment, or materials.
  • Operate grinding equipment.
  • Smooth metal surfaces or edges.
  • Record operational or production data.
  • Repair parts or assemblies.
  • Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly.
  • Assemble metal or plastic parts or products.
  • Confer with others to resolve production problems or equipment malfunctions.
  • Build production molds.
  • Assemble machine tools, parts, or fixtures.
  • Design tools, fixtures, or other devices for production equipment.
  • Solder parts or workpieces.

Skills and Abilities for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • 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.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Reaction TimeThe ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • 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.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • 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).
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Auditory AttentionThe ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Simple harmonic oscillatore.g. Audio-oscillators
  • Metal band sawing machinee.g. Bandsaws
  • Drill press or radial drille.g. Benchtop drill presses
  • Capacitance meterse.g. Capacitance checkers
  • Hoistse.g. Chain hoists
  • Power routerse.g. Computer numerical control CNC routers
  • Vertical machining centere.g. Computer numerical control CNC vertical machine centers
  • Caliperse.g. Digital calipers
  • Electrical frequency meterse.g. Digital electrical frequency meters
  • Hardness testerse.g. Digital hardness testers
  • Integrated circuit testerse.g. Digital integrated circuit testers
  • Oscilloscopese.g. Digital oscilloscopes
  • Wire cathode electrode discharge machinee.g. Electrical discharge machines EDM
  • Micrometerse.g. Electronic micrometers
  • Engraving machinese.g. Engraving machines
  • Smooth cut filee.g. Flat smooth cut files
  • Three dimensional printing machinee.g. Fused deposition modeling FDM printers
  • Gas welding or brazing or cutting apparatuse.g. Gas powered brazing equipment
  • Grease gunse.g. Grease dispensing guns
  • Tinners snipse.g. Hand snips
  • DesignKnowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Engineering and TechnologyKnowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.