What are the responsibilities and job description for the Tool and Die Maker Apprentice position at Drive Medical?
Who is Drive Medical...
Drive Medical has become a leading manufacturer of medical products with a strong and consistent track record of growth achieved both organically and through acquisitions. We are proud of our high-quality, diverse product portfolio, channel footprint and global operating scale. Our products are sold into the homecare, long-term care, retail, and e-commerce channels in more than 100 countries around the world.
“Leading the World with Innovative Solutions that Enhance Lives”
Summary (Major Purpose of the Role): The Tool and Die Maker Apprentice will be a highly motivated individual who is willing to learn and apply acquired skills. During a four year program, the Apprentice will learn how to analyze specifications; lay out metal stock; set up and operate machine tools such as lathes, drill presses, milling machines, grinders, or special purpose equipment; fit and assemble parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists’ hand tools according to production specifications and needs; and more.
Main Activities/Responsibilities:
Learns the following knowledge and skills, according to applicable apprenticeship standards, to achieve the Journeyman Tool and Die Maker certification:
- Machine Operation and Setup: Sets up and operates conventional and CNC machine tools (lathes, mills, grinders, drill presses) to shape parts to precise dimensions.
- Tool and Die Fabrication: Studies blueprints and models to plan, cut, shape, and trim blanks. Fits and assembles parts to create, modify, or repair dies, jigs, gauges, and tools using hand tools or welders.
- Design and Development: Designs jigs, fixtures, and templates. Develops new tools and dies using computer-aided design (CAD) software, including creating/updating drawings, and Engineering Change Requests.
- Quality Inspection and Testing: Verifies work conformance using calipers, micrometers, and gauges. Conducts test runs with completed tools/dies, inspecting for dimensions, smoothness, contour conformity, and defects.
- Material Preparation and Layout: Selects alloys based on properties. Measures, marks, and scribes stock for machining. Positions and secures parts using hoists, vises, and v-blocks.
- Surface Finishing: Files, grinds, shims, and polishes surfaces to ensure proper fit and finish.
- Specialized Processes:
- Heat Treatment: Understands hardness scales (A-2, S-7, etc.), annealing, and stress-relieving processes.
- Press Operations: Sets up and operates punch presses. Welding/Fixture Support: Loads/unloads weld fixtures and monitors weld quality.
Professional and Safety Standards
- Planning and Interpretation: Reads and interprets machining instructions, blueprints, and job orders to determine sequences and tooling requirements.
- Operational Precision: Selects cutting speeds, feed rates, and depths of cut based on metal properties.
- Safety and Compliance: Enforces and adheres to all health and safety regulations, including OSHA, GMP, HACCP, and equipment-specific safety rules.
- Process Improvement: Troubleshoots equipment failures, implements process improvements, and communicates with the team.
- Administrative Support: Requests and processes pricing quotations and ensures production output meets organizational expectations.
- Additional tasks may be assigned as needed.
Competencies and Skills:
- Excellent math and mechanical skills and ability.
- Attentiveness and detail-oriented: the ability and desire to do precision work.
- Ability to follow directions.
- Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently.
- Problem solving and planning skills.
- Computer skills.
- Excellent communication skills: written and verbal.
Reporting Relationships and Supervision:
- Reports to the supervisor
Education and Experience:
- High school diplomas or equivalent.
- Performs work under close guidance of Tool and Die Maker and Supervisor.
- Handles basic issues and problems and refers more complex issues to higher-level staff.
- Demonstrates curiosity, desire, and capability of learning the Tool and Die Maker responsibilities.
- Has acquired or will acquire accreditation from a technical school or an applicable skilled trades program along with learning the trade through On the Job training.
- Knowledge of blueprint reading, and precision measurement tools such as calipers and micrometers preferred, preferred.
- Some vocational-technical machining training, preferred.
Your Physical Demands/Work Environment:
- Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged periods of time. Most of the required work is performed in the standing position at a workbench.
- Physical activity includes reaching, twisting, and bending; frequent lifting of average to heavy weight material up to 50 pounds unassisted and over 50 pounds assisted; standing for extended periods, walking unassisted, using tools of the trade.
- Must have good manual dexterity and the use of two hands required.
- Must be able to bend, reach, grasp, push, and pull several types of units without difficulty.
- Perform activities in a shop environment. May be subject to changes in temperature and exposure to dust.
- Must be able to operate standard warehouse equipment (pallet jacks, forklifts, etc.).
Why Apply to Drive Medical…
Competitive Benefits, Paid Time Off, 401(k) Savings Plan
Drive Medical is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Drive Medical strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered person because of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy and/or parental status, national origin, age, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information (including family medical history), or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Drive Medical complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.