Tool Room - Apprentice

Job Duties

• Assist experienced tool room personnel with the inspection, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of plastic injection molds.
• Learn to identify mold damage, wear, defects, and other conditions that may affect production, part quality, or equipment performance.
• Develop proficiency in the safe operation and use of machine shop equipment, including surface grinders, Bridgeport milling machines, lathes, saws, and other applicable tooling equipment.
• Learn proper machine setup, tool selection, feeds and speeds, measuring techniques, and machining practices.
• Assist with grinding, machining, fitting, polishing, and modifying mold components under appropriate supervision.
• Learn to read and interpret blueprints, tool drawings, schematics, and technical documentation to support tooling repairs and manufacturing of replacement components.
• Develop an understanding of plastic injection mold functions and components, including lifters, retractors, hook slides, hot runner systems, valve gates, and water systems.
• Assist with troubleshooting mold-related issues in the Tool Room and at the press, as trained and authorized.
• Learn to identify basic electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and plumbing issues associated with injection molds and related equipment.
• Develop proficiency in using precision measuring instruments, including micrometers, calipers, and other applicable measurement tools.
• Assist with welding, polishing, and surface repair activities as skills and training permit.
• Learn to perform preventative maintenance in accordance with established schedules, procedures, and departmental requirements.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation related to tooling repairs, inspections, preventative maintenance, and completed work.
• Follow all applicable safety procedures and maintain clean, organized, and orderly work areas.
• Recognize unsafe conditions, equipment concerns, and potential quality issues and promptly report them to the appropriate supervisor.
• Participate in required technical instruction, apprenticeship coursework, practical training, and skills assessments.
• Identify opportunities to improve mold reliability, reduce downtime, and improve maintenance practices as knowledge and experience develop.
• Work collaboratively with Tool Room personnel, Production, Process Technicians, and other departments to support facility needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Highschool Diploma required
• Highly motivated; able to work independently or as part of a team.
• Experience with Bridgeport work is expected.
• Ability to multi-task and establish priorities.
• Must be proficient troubleshooting plastic injection molds both in the tool room, and at the press. This includes assessing hot runner and valve gate manifold issues.
• Ability to independently seek out and suggest downtime reduction activities and projects.
• Able to create and read drawings to machine parts from, or have ability to machine to print.
• Ability to perform proficient polishing on a class A surface without supervision.
• Highly flexible, with solid interpersonal skills that allow one to work effectively in a diverse working environment.
• Able to communicate effectively in both verbally and in writing.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Read tool drawing/schematics of hot runner manifolds and water systems
• Understand basic injection molding tool functions i.e. lifter, retractor, hook slides and how they work in the tool.
• Understanding of electrical wiring
• Understanding basic plumbing (changing out hoses and air lines)
• Know how to use a lathe
• Know how to read blue prints and draw basic sketches
• Ability to read measuring tape, micrometers, and calipers
• Ability to use band saws, table saws, miter saws
• Willingness to take related classes at a local college of Ventra’s choosing

Work Conditions

• Ability to lift up to 75 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation, if this is an essential job function.
• Work primarily in an industrial tool room and manufacturing environment, with occasional work in other facility areas or outdoors as needed.
• Exposure to industrial machinery, machining equipment, noise, metalworking materials, and other hazards associated with the trade.
• Required use of appropriate personal protective equipment, including safety footwear, safety glasses, and other equipment as required by the task and facility.
• Ability to perform physical tasks associated with tool room work, with reasonable accommodation where applicable.