Model Shop Toolmaker II

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

• • Perform all duties of the Model Shop Specialist, including studying sample parts, blueprints, drawings, and engineering information to determine machining methods, operational sequences, dimensions, and tolerances.
  • Set up and operate manual and CNC machines, requiring exact setups and the use of special or fabricated fixtures, improvised holding methods, and precise alignment techniques to prevent part distortion and maintain close tolerances.
  • Identify, select, recommend, adapt, and improvise tooling for complex and unique machining operations in both the model shop and production environments.
  • Plan and execute work in the proper operational sequence to ensure dimensional accuracy, fit, interrelationships, surface finish, and functional performance.
  • Interpret complex drawings, sketches, and prints, including GD&T; recognize and communicate errors or omissions that could interfere with quality or production. CMM operations knowledge preferred.
  • Calculate dimensions, tolerances, offsets, and machining allowances for metal flow, shrinkage, spring, fit, and finishing; raise concerns when requirements are unclear.
  • Calculate, write, and troubleshoot programs for conversational CNC work centers (ProtoTRAK or similar) to fabricate components to engineering specifications.
  • Perform skilled bench work, including filing, fitting, scraping, lapping, timing, indexing, assembling, and adjusting components to meet configuration, tolerance, and surface finish requirements.
  • Work collaboratively with engineering, quality, manufacturing engineering, and supervisory personnel to troubleshoot and resolve design, equipment, and operational issues.
  • Support the production machine shop by providing technical direction, recommendations on tooling, and guidance on optimal machining methods and sequences.
  • Handle walkin and urgent requests to support down machines or critical production needs, often requiring work from sample parts, sketches, or onsite workstation reviews without compromising workstation integrity or quality.
  • Plan and execute repairs using a variety of tools, fixtures, and jigs with complex nesting and locating features unique to each product line.
  • Apply working knowledge of machining characteristics of various materials and metals to preset cutting tools and optimize machining processes.
  • Proactively identify quality and performance issues and recommend procedural, tooling, or training improvements.
  • Participate in continuous improvement activities, including Kaizens and SMED events.
  • Train, develop, guide, and mentor other department employees, including Model Shop Programmer I team members, to achieve higher levels of skill, productivity, and quality performance.
  • Actively research and pursue new machining technologies and stateoftheart equipment to keep the shop at the leading edge of manufacturing capability.
  • Support both model shops and production shops across plants with machining and programming needs as required due to business demand or staffing constraints.

Education and Experience

• Associate degree in Machine Technology or equivalent certification or 2 years minimum experience as Model Shop Specialist with Kollmorgen preferred.

• Ten years of combined manual and CNC machining experience required.

• Certificate in GD&T or equivalent experience in drawing reviews.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• General Metallurgy knowledge relating to the heat treatment of metals to produce desired hardness.

• Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

• Critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills to identify alternative and correct solutions.

• Self-motivated and capable of completing tasks without supervision and within time limits.

• Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, statistics, and their applications.

• Use of complicated drawings, specifications, charts, tables, and related.