Honing Operator

Summary Of Position

Honing/Dressing Operator is responsible for grinding, deburring, dressing and honing new and/or reconditioned cutting tools. This role is critical to shipment of our high quality, premium cutting tools by providing a high finish to help maintain performance of the product. Performs frequent changeovers for small quantity custom orders. Operates one or more styles of honing/dressing machine.

Principal Responsibilities

The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Receive and review work assignments; verify that work pieces, blueprint and routing match regarding count, type, proper sequence and type of honing to occur;
• Follow established procedures for machine setups;
• Select, change and/or install proper polishing wheels, dressing and abrasives to be used for each job on honing fixtures;
• Complete set-up and management honing process for new/reconditioned cutting tools;
• Mount and secure cutting tools in machine, set and adjust speeds, feed rate and travel stops;
• Observe operation of machine and verify conformance of finished tools to specifications using measurement instruments (fixed gauges, calipers & micrometers);
• Set up and operate more than one honing/dressing machine or secondary equipment when necessary;
• Enter all production information into the data collection system;
• Monitor equipment performance; report problems and request required maintenance to avoid unnecessary downtime and machine damage or repairs;
• Determine machine settings, measure and compute dimensions of lettering, designs, or patterns to be engraved to customer specifications.
• Inspect etched work for depth of etching, uniformity, and defects using gauges or magnifying lenses.
• Prepare work pieces for etching or engraving by cleaning or polishing.
• Place tool in designated V-Block and set laser to appropriate head height.
• Run first piece to assure set up is correct. Make adjustments as required and obtain approval from supervisor.