SUMMARY: Performs various mold maintenance and repair activities and continuous improvements related to the maintenance and repair of injection molds, jigs, fixtures, and related ancillary equipment. Also builds complex tooling components from standard prints using available metal working equipment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Include the following, other duties may be assigned.

• Cleans and services tools and components, inspects tools for damage or wear.
• Disassembles, assembles, and troubleshoots hot manifold systems; electrical problems within the system; identifies proper sealing, expansion, flow, heater dimensions and condition, tip conditions and thermocouple conditions; determines proper voltages/resistance of all components.
• Creates new tooling components with the use of standard metal working equipment including mills, lathes, ID/OD grinders, surface grinders, EDMs, and various CNC machinery.
• Assists with installation of machining and tool making equipment.
• Disassembles and assembles molds, identifies proper water seal and flow through molds.
•  Identifies proper cleaning techniques of all tool components and plates. Identifies mold location and safe usage of mold rack and carts.
• Safely operates equipment and machinery in tooling repair area; must have an understanding of safety of self and others.
• Attends internal meetings to help establish priorities and assign tasks. Instructs others, formally and informally, regarding tooling related skills and knowledge.
• Identifies proper storage measures.
• Maintains the quality standards of general housekeeping and preventative maintenance.
• Documents equipment status and ensures that spare parts supply is adequate.
• Keeps current on new technology and developments in regards to areas of responsibility.
• Assists in directing of toolroom activities regarding planning and executing of CNC projects and THM/Safety within the group.
• Conducts test runs with completed tools or molds to ensure that parts meet specifications; makes adjustments as necessary.
• Cuts, shapes, and trims blank blocks to specified lengths or shapes, using power equipment, rules, and hand tools.
• Files, grinds, shims, and adjusts different parts to properly fit them together.
• Fits and assembles parts to make, repair, or modify dies, jigs, gauges, and tools using machine tools and hand tools.
• Inspects finished molds for smoothness, contour conformity, and defects.
• Lifts, positions, and secures machined parts on surface plates, CNC equipment or worktables using hoists, vises, v-blocks, or angle plates for precision machining.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) with three to five years of related experience in the repair of plastic injection molds, some college preferred.
• Federal/State Certification as a Tool & Die Maker preferred.
• Mechanical aptitude required, must have strong working knowledge of tooling, mills, lathes, etc. as well as good schematic reading skills.
• Strong knowledge of CNC equipment, programming, software updates, surfacing, cutter paths, and DNC for new projects, repairs, and new molds.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Six Sigma, and THM concepts.
• Must have regular, reliable attendance and willingness to work outside the normal work schedule.
• Willing to handle job stress and interact effectively with others in the workplace.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to work in smoke-free settings with frequent exposure to moving mechanical parts and vibration, occasional exposure to fumes, airborne particles, and extreme heat.
• Frequently required to stand, sit, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands/arms, talk, and hear. Frequently required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is sometimes very loud and requires hearing protection.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include color vision, close vision, and ability to adjust focus.