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Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, milling and engraving machines, and jig borers to make working models of metal or plastic objects. Includes template makers.

What you’d do

  • Study blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine material dimensions, required equipment, and operations sequences.
  • Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, drill presses, punch presses, or bandsaws, to fabricate prototypes or models.
  • Program computer numerical control (CNC) machines to fabricate model parts.
  • Inspect and test products to verify conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments or circuit testers.
  • Cut, shape, and form metal parts, using lathes, power saws, snips, power brakes and shears, files, and mallets.
  • Rework or alter component model or parts as required to ensure that products meet standards.
  • Drill, countersink, and ream holes in parts and assemblies for bolts, screws, and other fasteners, using power tools.
  • Grind, file, and sand parts to finished dimensions.

Skills that matter

  • Operation and Control
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Monitoring
  • Equipment Selection

How to get there

Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

Also called

  • CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist)
  • Model Builder
  • Model Maker
  • Molding Technician (Molding Tech)
  • CNC Programmer (Computer Numerical Control Programmer)
  • Metal Model Maker

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