Metal Forming Machine Operator

Caterpillar•San Diego, CA

13d•$20 - $34

About The Position

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc. When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it. About the Role: Set up and operate various types and sizes of hydraulic piercing machines, drop-hammers, hydroforming machines, hydraulic presses, punch presses, spinning lathes, and trimming tools to form and pierce sheet metal, extruded, and other production parts. Make open and closed molds and cast tooling and parts.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
Basic data entry into computer
Ability to lift parts and fixtures
Ability to work overtime as needed
Willing to work any shift

Nice To Haves

Piercing machines
Drop hammers
Hydraulic presses
Punch presses
Spinning lathes
Expander- shrinker machines and trimming tools
Precision measuring
Precision measuring tools
Able to read production blueprints

Responsibilities

Set up and operate various types and sizes of metal forming and hydraulic piercing machines such as brakes and metal cutting equipment and/or arbor type hot forming presses to form production, experimental, or developmental parts
Set up and operate various types and sizes of drop hammers to form production, experimental or developmental parts involving complex contours, sharp angles and/or deep draws which result in severe forming.
Align and center punches and dies to predetermined clearances and heights by using indicators, gauges, production aids, shims, spacers, and wedges.
Adjust cams, hydraulic valves, electrical timing, microswitches, length of stroke of ram and index rings to proper location and height
Adjust automatic feed head for pierce depth
Maintain required hydraulic pressure and temperature of oil according to hardness or gauge of metal
Adjust air pressure of punch when required
Apply lubricant to part, punch and die when necessary
Anchor die to bed by use of molten metal and/or clamping dogs
Bolt punch to ram
Determine the need for location, size and thickness of rubber pressure pads
Check punch and die following established procedures or oral and/or written instructions
Perform cold and hot forming operations
Recognize improper functioning of drop hammers and make minor corrections or alterations to the punch or die
Perform hand peening and operate other machines such as saws, lathes and nibblers for trimming preformed parts or planishing hammers for finishing parts
Apply proper lubricants following established procedures or oral and written instructions
Perform cold and hot forming operations
Recognize improper functioning of machines and make machine adjustment and/or minor corrections or alterations to the punch or die
Set up and operate spinning lathes to form and final trim sheet metal parts
Set up and operate hydraulic forming machines
Perform such typical foundry operations as determining the proper size flash to use, method of placing and withdrawing patterns when back drafting, placement, location and method of supporting cores, proper temperature at which metal should be poured and method of pouring.
Make all types of open and closed molds to exacting tolerances
Perform such typical operations as placing pattern in position to flask, placing cores, screening and cutting sand, ramming sand around pattern to proper consistency, removing pattern, placing vents, cutting gates and pouring metal into mold.
Remove casting irregularities by die grinding
Perform peening of preformed parts as required
Use blueprints or templates to determine trim lines
Make optical comparator checks to prove setups
Use precision measuring devices to check setup and dimensions of parts pierced
Perform rework of the same level of difficulty as described herein
Compile necessary records such as production logs and maintain setup charts