Career summary

Details for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders


Description

Set up, operate, or tend welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies.

Tasks

  • Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines.
  • Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.
  • Load or feed workpieces into welding machines to join or bond components.
  • Give directions to other workers regarding machine set-up and use.
  • Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.
  • Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.
  • Record operational information on specified production reports.
  • Start, monitor, and adjust robotic welding production lines.
  • Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.
  • Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.
  • Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements, as necessary.
  • Conduct trial runs before welding, soldering, or brazing, and make necessary adjustments to equipment.
  • Dress electrodes, using tip dressers, files, emery cloths, or dressing wheels.
  • Remove completed workpieces or parts from machinery, using hand tools.
  • Observe meters, gauges, or machine operations to ensure that soldering or brazing processes meet specifications.
  • Select, position, align, and bolt jigs, holding fixtures, guides, or stops onto machines, using measuring instruments and hand tools.
  • Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records.
  • Compute and record settings for new work, applying knowledge of metal properties, principles of welding, and shop mathematics.
  • Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills.
  • Clean, lubricate, maintain, and adjust equipment to maintain efficient operation, using air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools.
  • Set dials and timing controls to regulate electrical current, gas flow pressure, heating or cooling cycles, or shut-off.
  • Tend auxiliary equipment used in welding processes.
  • Devise or build fixtures or jigs used to hold parts in place during welding, brazing, or soldering.
  • Fill hoppers and position spouts to direct flow of flux or manually brush flux onto seams of workpieces.
  • Transfer components, metal products, or assemblies, using moving equipment.
  • Add chemicals or materials to workpieces or machines to facilitate bonding or to cool workpieces.
  • Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, or scribes.
  • Anneal finished workpieces to relieve internal stress.
  • Immerse completed workpieces into water or acid baths to cool and clean components.

Interests

  • Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
  • Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Education, training, experience

  • Education - These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
  • Training - Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
  • Experience - Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

Knowledge

None found.

Skills

None found.

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