Summary
A Curing Technician in a tire manufacturing plant plays a crucial role in the final stage of tire production: the curing process. This involves transforming a "green" (uncured) tire into a finished product with the desired shape, tread pattern, and material properties.
Responsibilities
- Operating Curing Presses and Equipment:
- Loading and unloading green tires into curing presses.
- Operating and monitoring curing presses, including controls, gauges, and indicators.
- Making minor adjustments and troubleshooting issues with the presses and equipment.
- Performing mold and bladder changes as required.
- Cleaning and drilling venting in molds.
- Building and tearing down bladders.
- Assisting in spraying and loading passenger tire presses (if applicable).
- Maintaining data input and accurately recording time and production details.
- Quality Control and Adherence to Specifications:
- Conducting first tire checks.
- Chasing scrap (identifying and removing defective products).
- Ensuring serial changes in molds are accurate.
- Inspecting products to ensure they meet quality and quantity standards.
- Reporting any malfunctions, out-of-spec conditions, or other extraordinary conditions to supervision.
- Maintenance and Repair:
- Performing minor mechanical adjustments and emergency repairs on presses and equipment.
- Tearing down, cleaning segmented molds, drilling molds, and cleaning molds in the press.
- Creating work orders in SAP for maintenance and communicating with the maintenance department.
- Safety and Environmental Compliance:
- Following all plant policies, environmental policies, and safety policies.
- Ensuring all Environmental, Safety, and Health (ESH) procedures, policies, and legal requirements are implemented and monitored.
- Being certified to operate a forklift through the safety department (as needed).
- Promoting and monitoring safety within the curing department and the plant.
- Communication and Teamwork:
- Effectively communicating with curing supervision, other setup technicians, and curing press operators.
- Mentoring and training team members as necessary.
- Adapting to changes in the work environment, including computer interfaces.
- Workplace Organization and Efficiency:
- Following standard practices to ensure prompt and accurate quality and quantity production.
- Keeping work areas neat, clean, aligned, and orderly.
- Monitoring the operation of the takeaway conveyor for the assigned row.
- Planning work according to tire inventory and schedule needs.
Knowledge and Skills
- Technical Aptitude: Understanding of mechanical processes, ability to operate machinery, troubleshoot issues, and perform basic repairs.
- Attention to Detail: Meticulousness in following procedures, conducting inspections, and ensuring product quality.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to identify and resolve issues with equipment and processes.
- Communication Skills: Effective communication with supervisors, colleagues, and other departments.
- Safety Consciousness: Commitment to following safety procedures and ensuring a safe work environment.
- Teamwork: Ability to collaborate effectively with other team members to achieve common goals.
- Adaptability: Capacity to adjust to changes in the work environment and production requirement.
Education and Experience
- 2 years preferred Manufacturing Process or related field and Career Readiness Certificate (Silver or Above)
- At least High School graduate or GED equivalent
Physical Requirements
Physical Stamina: Ability to lift heavy objects, bend, stoop, push, pull, and stand for extended periods. (Objects may weigh 50lbs or more).