TOOL & DIE REPAIR TECHNICIAN

Deco Products was established in 1960 in downtown Decorah. The name Deco comes from the first 4 letters of DECOrah. Deco Products is the largest stand-alone dedicated zinc die caster in North America.

Zinc castings are used in many diverse products and our customer base is equally diverse. A few of our primary markets are office furniture, window and door products and components for commercial vehicles and the RV market. A few specific examples are legs for office partitions, office chair brackets, brake valve components for semi-trucks, sash locks for windows and window operators for motorhomes. We also have products that go into the electrical industry, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), and an extensive line of broom and mop components.

The Tool & Die Repair Technician is responsible for troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining metal tools, including customer- and company-owned dies, molds, trim dies, and fixtures. This position ensures the proper preservation and repair of tooling used in production while adhering to safety standards and company policies.   

This position is critical to ensuring that production tooling is maintained in optimal condition, allowing for efficient and high-quality manufacturing operations.

  Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain dies, molds, trim dies, and fixtures used in production.
• Operate manual lathes, surface grinders, CNC machines, milling machines, welders, and other tool room equipment.
• Utilize measuring instruments such as micrometers, calipers, gauges, and tape measures to ensure precision.
• Conduct preventative maintenance on tooling to reduce downtime and improve production efficiency.
• Perform minor welding and grinding to repair or modify tooling components.
• Troubleshoot and repair common die casting issues, such as flash, broken ejector pins, stuck parts, and bent or broken pins.
• Read, interpret, and work from blueprints, drawings, and specifications to ensure proper tooling adjustments.
• Safely handle and transport heavy tools and dies using hoists, jib cranes, and other safety lifting devices, including team assists.
• Document all maintenance and repair activities in accordance with company procedures.
• Regularly lifting, pushing, and pulling up to 50 pounds.

 Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of tool and die equipment uses, maintenance, and repair.
• Ability to operate manual and CNC machining and grinding equipment safely and effectively.
• Proficiency in using precision measuring instruments.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of blueprint reading, geometric tolerances, and machining principles.
• Knowledge of safety devices such as hoists, cranes, and proper PPE usage.
• Skill in welding, grinding, and fabrication techniques for tooling repair.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to diagnose and resolve tooling issues.
• Working knowledge of geometry, trigonometry, and algebra for tooling applications.

Education and Training

• Education and experience as a Machinist, Tool and Die is preferred.