TOOLMAKER -- ONE OF MANY DEFINITIONS

Tool and die maker
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Tool and Die Makers are highly skilled workers in the manufacturing industry. Most tool and die makers attend a 4 to 5 year apprenticeship program to achieve status of a journeyman tool and die maker. Some of the job functions of a tool and die maker consist of producing jigs, fixtures, form tools, dies, molds, cutting tools, and many other mechanical items used in the manufacturing process.*[1]
Contents[hide]
1 Job description
2 Training
3 Job outlook
4 See also
5 References
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[edit] Job description
Tool makers, also known as tool fitters, make tools used by engineering craftspeople and operatives. These include:
jigs
gauges
dies
molds
Traditionally, working from engineering drawings, tool makers marked out the design on the raw material (usually metal or wood), then cut it to size and shape using a combination of lathes, milling machines, grinding machines and precision cutting machines. Many tool makers now use computer-aided design and CNC machine tools to perform these tasks. Some tool makers specialise as machinist tool makers, others as tool maker fitters, and some as tool repairers.

[edit] Training
Although the details of training programs vary, many tool and die makers begin an apprenticeship with an employer, possibly including a mix of classroom training and hands-on experience. Some prior qualifications in mathematics, science, engineering or design and technology can be valuable.

[edit] Job outlook
Employment of tool and die makers is expected to decline in some countries due to increased use of automation, including CNC machine tools and computer-aided design. On the other hand, tool and die makers play a key role in building and maintaining advanced automated manufacturing equipment.

[edit] See also
Moldmaker

[edit] References
Tool and die makers by U.S Department of Labor, retrieved September 11, 2006
[hide]
v • d • e Metalworking
Milling and machining
Electrical discharge machining • Electro chemical machining • Endmill • Engraving • Hobbing machine • Lathe • Machine tool • Machining • Milling cutter • Milling machine • Planer • Pantograph • Shaper
Metalworking topics
Casting • CNC • Cutting tools • Drilling and threading • Fabrication • Finishing • Grinding • Jewellery • Lathe • Machining • Machine tooling • Measuring • Metalworking • Hand tools • Metallurgy • Milling • Occupations • Press tools • Smithing • Terminology • Welding •
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Categories: Machining Metalworking occupations Industrial occupations
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