Description

Purpose and Scope:

Under the direct supervision of their supervisor, the press operator is primarily responsible for the pressing of abrasive cutoff wheels following route instructions and specifications. Presses include rotary fill and volume fill as well as two-operator and single operator presses. Operations include weighing a mixture of various abrasive materials, loading an unheated mold, sending mold into hydraulic press. Wheels can consist of one to five levels of mix with a variety of reinforcements, paper labels, and other non-mix materials.

After pressing, the wheels are removed from molds and are inspected for appearance, diameter, thickness, balance, and taper – as specified in route sheet instructions and standard procedures. The wheels are then stacked for further processing. Information from operator inspection is utilized for making process adjustments e.g. changing weight, thickness, pressure, or taper for the next cycle. Information is recorded on process control/production sheets. Molds are cleaned and made ready for reuse. Lifting varies from up to 25 lbs for small presses to up to 75 lbs for the largest wheels.

Presses are located in air-conditioned environment with exposure to dust, abrasive grit and basic chemical odors.

Responsibilities:

• Build wheels/performs per production order and using standard operating procedures, meeting customer and internal specifications while achieving maximum wheel yields.


• Assuring quality of wheels for visual appearance, balance, and physical measurements and for making process adjustments to maintain quality of wheels. Adjustments include, depending upon press: blade taper, mix weight, molding pressure, mold plate pitch, and cavity depth. Some adjustments are made using computer interface.


• Incorrectly made wheels will result in rejections or customer returns. If quality cannot be maintained, the supervisor is notified.


• Maintains records, e.g. production trend charting. Charting requires calculation of wheel density, average thickness, and deviation from target.


• Recommends and implements methods to increase the quality of products or services.


• Maintains equipment and area cleanliness.


• Participates in self-development activities and training of others.


• Exhibits safety awareness and safe work practices.


• Performs other related duties as may be reasonably assigned in the course of business.

Qualifications:

• High School diploma or the equivalent or related experience.


• Able to work independently and as a team member.


• Good judgment.


• Good general math skills.


• Must be able to do general lifting, bending and turning.


• Able to read and follow route instructions and operating instructions.


• Able to accurately use micrometers, tape measures.