CNC Lathe Operator II

Joyce/Dayton•Portland, IN

About The Position

The CNC Lathe Operator II safely and efficiently manufactures parts that meet quality requirements. This hourly, non-exempt position reports to the Production Supervisor and performs CNC lathe setup, operation, inspection, and basic maintenance, with minimal supervision. The operator works with metals including steel, stainless steel, and aluminum and must machine to close tolerances, including .0002 inches. The role involves reading process sheets, blueprints, sketches, setup sheets, and written instructions; preparing materials and preset tools; selecting and installing tooling; monitoring machine controls and machining performance; and making supervised program edits, troubleshooting changes, and process improvements. The operator checks work using precision measuring and inspection instruments, maintains machine fluid levels, and may operate another machine during machining cycles. Crosstraining on other plant machinery may be required.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Three years of proven CNC lathe experience.
Overhead crane experience.
Experience using a steady rest.
Sound mechanical aptitude and hands-on skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to perform machine setup, including installing proper chuck jaws and tooling, and understand the majority of assigned setups.
Ability to adapt to problems not specified on setup sheets.
Proven understanding of equipment and processes in the area of responsibility and knowledge of products and fixturing.
Ability to read precision measuring equipment and CNC programs.
Proven blueprint-reading skills, programming knowledge or experience, setup capabilities, tooling knowledge, and understanding of feeds, speeds, and gearing terminology.
Ability to inspect work and meet quality requirements.
Own basic hand tools at minimum.
Ability to understand and follow routing information and perform basic layouts.
Ability to sharpen tools.
Ability to effectively train new operators.
Technical training as required.
Ability to identify and communicate process-improvement ideas.
Prolonged periods of standing and ability to lift up to 50 pounds at times.

Responsibilities

Safely and efficiently manufacture parts that meet quality requirements and close tolerances.
Machine steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and other assigned materials using CNC lathes.
Read process sheets, blueprints, sketches, setup sheets, routing information, and written instructions to determine machining, dimensions, setups, and operating requirements.
Set up and operate CNC machines with minimal supervision, including installing appropriate chuck jaws and tooling.
Mount workpieces in chucks, on faceplates, or in fixtures; select and install preset tooling in the required sequence.
Edit pre-written CNC programs with supervision, perform advanced CNC editing, and make changes for troubleshooting or process improvements.
Monitor numerical control displays and compare settings with process sheet data; adjust dimensional settings, feed rates, and machining speeds as needed.
Use machine controls to override programs and correct machine performance; run single-block programs when required.
Inspect first-run and subsequent parts using precision measuring instruments and other inspection equipment to ensure conformance to specifications.
Monitor and maintain machine fluid levels and perform basic equipment maintenance.
Study job packets and organize materials for upcoming orders during machine cycles to reduce cycle and setup time.
Pre-set tools before positioning them in the lathe and set up and operate another machine tool during machining cycles as needed.
Crosstrain on other plant machinery as required.
Train new operators effectively and identify and share process-improvement ideas.