Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, & Tenders, Metal & Plastic

realistic interests furnace maintain temperature production equipment schedule record data operate machines conveyor thermal instruments

Furnace Operator, Heat Treat Operator, Heat Treat Technician, Heat Treater

What they do:
Set up, operate, or tend heating equipment, such as heat-treating furnaces, flame-hardening machines, induction machines, soaking pits, or vacuum equipment to temper, harden, anneal, or heat treat metal or plastic objects.
On the job, you would:
  • Read production schedules and work orders to determine processing sequences, furnace temperatures, and heat cycle requirements for objects to be heat-treated.
  • Record times that parts are removed from furnaces to document that objects have attained specified temperatures for specified times.
  • Adjust controls to maintain temperatures and heating times, using thermal instruments and charts, dials and gauges of furnaces, and color of stock in furnaces to make setting determinations.

Knowledge

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

  • manufacture and distribution of products

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Skills

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Hand and Finger Use

  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • hold or move items with your hands

Controlled Movement

  • use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down
  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat

Endurance

  • exercise for a long time without getting out of breath

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Independence
  • Attention to Detail
  • Initiative
  • Leadership

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology

Electronic mail software

  • Microsoft Outlook Hot Technology

Enterprise resource planning ERP software

  • SAP software Hot Technology

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma/GED or
no high school diploma/GED
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training
Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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