Top 9 Tool Maker Apprentice Skills (2024)

9 tool maker apprentice skills for your resume and career

1. Grinders

Grinders are machine tools that use abrasive surfaces to shape and finish metal. Tool maker apprentices use grinders to precision surface, OD, ID, and cutter grind. They interpret specifications and blueprints, set up, and operate them. They also train new hires in the proper operation of grinders.

Here's how tool maker apprentices use grinders:

Use Tool Room equipment such as Lathes, Milling Machines, Surface Grinders, Drill Presses etc.
Served 4 year apprenticeship on lathes, mills surface OD and ID grinders and all shop skills.

2. Lathe Operation

Lathe operation refers to the process of shaping metal using a lathe machine. Tool maker apprentices use lathe operation to shape and cut metal parts. They may also use lathes to create intricate designs and patterns. For example, they may use lathes to create custom parts for machines and equipment.

Here's how tool maker apprentices use lathe operation:

Experienced in lathe operation, CNC mill and lathe, surface grinder, Bridgeport milling machine operation, and machine repair.
Experience gained performing basic mill and lathe operations.

3. Mold Components

Mold components are parts used to create a mold for a variety of products. Tool maker apprentices use mold components in various ways, such as assembling finished mold components, repairing or replacing damaged mold components, and modifying or building new components. They also determine which components require repair or replacement.

Here's how tool maker apprentices use mold components:

Worked with Tool Maker to assemble finished mold components.
Repair and replace damaged mold components.

4. Calipers

Calipers are instruments that measure the distance between two opposite sides of an object. Tool maker apprentices use calipers to measure dimensions and tolerances. They use them alongside other instruments, such as micrometers, to ensure the correctness of their measurements.

Here's how tool maker apprentices use calipers:

Calculate dimensions and tolerances using knowledge of mathematics and instruments such as micrometers and vernier calipers.
Perform in-house calibration on rulers, calipers, digital indicators and leak tester following the approved calibration procedure.

5. Jigs

A jig is a tool used to control the movement or location of another tool or device. Tool maker apprentices use jigs to build plastic prototypes, manufacture jigs, fixtures, and production aids, and even fabricate jigs and fixtures for automotive assembly lines and associated industries. They also design and construct drill jigs, bending fixtures, welding jigs, and components for a wide variety of government contracts.

Here's how tool maker apprentices use jigs:

Build jigs, fixtures, dies Developed plastic prototype work
Manufactured numerous jigs fixtures and production aids to assist production workers.

6. Machine Tools

Machine tools are machines used to manufacture other machines or mechanical components. Tool maker apprentices use machine tools to complete various machining operations. They program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools, and use manual machine tools to perform precision machining operations.

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7. Plastic Injection

Plastic injection is a process in which molten plastic is forced into a mold to create a desired shape. Tool maker apprentices use plastic injection to create plastic parts for machinery and other equipment. They build, repair, and maintain the molds used in this process, and also perform preventive maintenance on plastic injection molding tools. From blueprints, they construct plastic injection molds and stamping dies, as well as generate CNC tool path.

Here's how tool maker apprentices use plastic injection:

Performed preventive maintenance on plastic injection molding tools.
Create, build, change and repair any plastic injection mold.

8. Machine Repair

Machine repair is the process of fixing and maintaining machinery. Tool maker apprentices use machine repair to fix and maintain their machinery, such as die maintenance, building new dies, and general machine repair. They also use machine repair to sharpen their cutting tools.

Here's how tool maker apprentices use machine repair:

Completed Tool Maker Bench stations in the following areas: Heat Treat, Machine Repair, Gages, and New Tools.
Use Conventional Machines to fabricate parts for tool crib, downtime machine repair, and engineering upgrade projects.

9. Engineering Changes

Engineering changes refer to the process of updating a product's specifications or design. Tool maker apprentices use engineering changes in their job to improve the performance of machinery and products. They communicate with customers regarding product specifications and engineering changes, and implement these changes according to customer satisfaction. They also repair and modify machinery per engineering changes, and perform engineering changes and revisions.

Here's how tool maker apprentices use engineering changes:

Mapped tooling components to provide data for engineering changes and drawings, reversed engineered components when necessary.
Communicate with customers regarding product specifications and engineering changes.

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