1. Home
  2. Careers
  3. Tool And Die Makers
  4. Required Skills Responsibilities Activities

Tool and Die Makers Occupation Detailed Description

Tool and Die Makers career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Tool and Die Makers

The main tasks and work activities of Tool and Die Makers are to review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences, measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, calculate dimensions of workpieces, products, or equipment, operate grinding equipment. In general, for the Tool and Die Makers, operation and Control, quality Control Analysis, operation Monitoring, critical Thinking and other 4 skills are required.
Tool and Die Makers 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 Tool and Die Makers jobs. 10.97% of Tool and Die Makers have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 68.49% of Tool and Die Makers have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
10.97%
Post-Secondary Certificate
68.49%
Some College Courses
1.26%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
16.65%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
2.63%

Tasks and Work Activities of Tool and Die Makers

  • Study blueprints, sketches, models, or specifications to plan sequences of operations for fabricating tools, dies, or assemblies.
  • Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, or dial indicators.
  • Visualize and compute dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications.
  • Set up and operate conventional or computer numerically controlled machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, or grinders to cut, bore, grind, or otherwise shape parts to prescribed dimensions and finishes.
  • File, grind, shim, and adjust different parts to properly fit them together.
  • Fit and assemble parts to make, repair, or modify dies, jigs, gauges, and tools, using machine tools and hand tools.
  • Conduct test runs with completed tools or dies to ensure that parts meet specifications, making adjustments as necessary.
  • Inspect finished dies for smoothness, contour conformity, and defects.
  • Smooth and polish flat and contoured surfaces of parts or tools, using scrapers, abrasive stones, files, emery cloths, or power grinders.
  • Lift, position, and secure machined parts on surface plates or worktables, using hoists, vises, v-blocks, or angle plates.
  • Measure, mark, and scribe metal or plastic stock to lay out machining, using instruments such as protractors, micrometers, scribes, or rulers.
  • Cut, shape, and trim blanks or blocks to specified lengths or shapes, using power saws, power shears, rules, and hand tools.
  • Design jigs, fixtures, and templates for use as work aids in the fabrication of parts or products.
  • Select metals to be used from a range of metals and alloys, based on properties such as hardness or heat tolerance.
  • Set up and operate drill presses to drill and tap holes in parts for assembly.
  • Develop and design new tools and dies, using computer-aided design software.
  • Set pyrometer controls of heat-treating furnaces and feed or place parts, tools, or assemblies into furnaces to harden.
  • Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • 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.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Thinking CreativelyDeveloping, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • 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.
  • Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
  • Calculate dimensions of workpieces, products, or equipment.
  • Operate grinding equipment.
  • Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
  • Smooth metal surfaces or edges.
  • Assemble machine tools, parts, or fixtures.
  • Inspect metal, plastic, or composite products.
  • Conduct test runs of production equipment.
  • Polish materials, workpieces, or finished products.
  • Lift materials or workpieces using cranes or other lifting equipment.
  • Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
  • Measure materials to mark reference points, cutting lines, or other indicators.
  • Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing.
  • Shape metal workpieces with hammers or other small hand tools.
  • Design tools, fixtures, or other devices for production equipment.
  • Select production input materials.
  • Drill holes in parts, equipment, or materials.
  • Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
  • Feed materials or products into or through equipment.

Skills and Abilities for Tool and Die Makers

  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • 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 SelectionDetermining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  • 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.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • 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.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • 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).
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • 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.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Gage block sete.g. 1-2-3 blocks
  • Power sawse.g. Abrasive cutoff saws
  • Blow torche.g. Acetylene torches
  • Adjustable widemouth plierse.g. Adjustable widemouth pliers
  • Air compressorse.g. Air compressors
  • Pneumatic grinderse.g. Air grinders
  • Pneumatic sanding machinese.g. Air-powered sandblasters
  • Hex keyse.g. Allen wrenches
  • Gage block sete.g. Angle gauge blocks
  • Adjustable angle platee.g. Angle plates
  • Manual press brakee.g. Arbor presses
  • Metal band sawing machinee.g. Band saws
  • Pullerse.g. Bearing pullers
  • Power grinderse.g. Bench grinders
  • Hole gaugee.g. Bore gauges
  • Boring machinese.g. Boring bars
  • Welder torche.g. Brazing equipment
  • Bridge cranese.g. Bridge cranes
  • Metal broaching machinese.g. Broachers
  • Chuckse.g. Chuck keys
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • DesignKnowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • 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.
  • Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.