A tool and die maker makes, repairs and test dies, using jigs, fixtures, gauges, prototypes and precision measuring tools. They are some times knowledgeable in building moulds. They design and make parts to meet specific standards in dimensions and strengths within very close tolerances.

Working from blueprints, CAD designs, or even existing parts, a tool maker has the experience and knowledge to create precise parts for die building. Performing intense alignment and assembly of these parts to build a die to be able to create a part with such high accuracy and close tolerance.

Operating machinery includes milling machines, lathes, grinding machines, drilling machines, saws, CNC, EDM and boring machines. Tool and die makers must also understand metallurgy, plastics and other composite materials.

Tool and die makers may work in many different industry sectors including automotive, aerospace, research and development, medical, stamping or any other manufacturing plants. They may also specialize is design engineering, heat treating metals, building jigs and fixtures, die fabrication and quality inspection.

There are high risks of injury working as a tool and die maker. Working with moving machine parts, flying hot chips, sharp edges and extremely hot work pieces.  Serious precautions are needed while working with chemicals and airborne substances.

 

Industry Changes

The tool and die maker trade is increasingly changing. Technology advancements in CNC, automation and laser will further impact the trade in years to come.

A tool and die maker will constantly need to further educate him/her self and to become more adaptable to the ever lasting changes in the manufacturing industry. There is no doubt that tool and die makers are needed for very specific tasks in die building, but some of these tasks are being taken over by technology and automated advancements. Tool and die makers will be needed for more specific production jobs and will be high in demand which will be an excellent high paying career choice. There will always be a need for die building.

 

Safety

Safe working practices and accident prevention are the primary importance to the health and safety of all person(s) at any or all work place environments. All person(s) including employee, employer and government, share this responsibility in order to keep everyone free of any dangers or accidents that may cause an individual(s) serious bodily harm or death.

The Occupational Health and Safety Acts and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Regulations, should be consistently reviewed and enforced in every work place environment. Educating and understanding these regulations is everyone’s responsibility in order to keep a safe work place environment.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) has contributed to a safer work place environment. Health and safety has become a high priority in the workplace due to increased awareness of dangers and the identifications of hazardous materials.

Practicing health and safety is a tremendous contribution to a safe and accident free work place environment.

 

Job Tasks

• Builds jigs, fixtures and dies

• Builds prototype

• Completely builds, assembles, tests and runs dies in the press

• Heat treats materials

• Operates drill presses

• Operates grinders

• Operates lathes

• Operates milling machines

• Operates saws

• Plans machine operations

• Reads and interprets blueprints and schematics

• Tests jigs, fixtures and dies

• Tests prototypes

 

Tools

• abrasive stones

• acetylene torch

• Allen keys

• bearing extractor

• brushes

• calculator

• chisels

• chuck key

• clamps

• dial indicators

• drill bits

• files

• gauge blocks

• hammer

• hammer, ball peen

• hammer, dead blow

• hand protection

• hearing protectors

• machinist’s hand book

• measuring equipment (vernier caliper, micrometer, etc)

• safety equipment (goggles, boots, face shield etc)

• sign bars

• vice

 

Skills

• Critical Thinking

• Decision Making

• Numerical

• Oral Communication

• Problem Solving

• Reading Blueprints and schematics

• Writing

• Computer Knowledge

 

General Wages

• Average -   $26.00

• Minimum -  $18.00

• Maximum - $32.00

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Sample Q&A

 

1. What negative effect is caused by the inclusion of oxygen in copper alloys?

a. The alloy becomes much heavier

b. The alloy becomes brittle at higher temp

c. The alloy loses all its ability to conduct electricity

d. The alloy becomes malleable and soft

Ans. B

 

2. What powers the plunger that pushes the molten material into the mould cavity?

a. An electric motor

b. A hydraulic plunger

c. A pneumatic plunger

d. Compressed air

Ans. B

 

3. Which of the following fits generally applies when permanently  locating an 8inch diameter shaft into a ring bore?

a. slip fit

b. press fit

c. shrink fit

d. loose fit

Ans.  C

 

4. During the development of a prototype piece part, what is determined by using a grid layout?

a. material flatness

b. material flow

c. hole patterns

d. trim lines

Ans. B

 

5. What is the name given to the fixed amount of molten material pushed into the mould cavity during each production cycle?

a. The parison

b. The Pre form

c. The Charge

d. The Shot

Ans. D

 

6. How many possible planes of movement should a drill jig be designed to resist?

a. 3

b. 4

c. 2

d. 1

Ans. A  

 

7. Hole deformation can be avoided by keeping the holes edge at least how many metal thicknesses away from a form tangency?

a. 2

b. 3

c. 1.5

d. 1

Ans. B