Tool Maker I/II/III

About the role

At A-dec, we do more than create the highest quality products and services for the dental industry; we strive to deliver a superior employment experience for each of our team members. With an environment that encourages and assists each person in developing to their highest potential, a career at A-dec is incredibly rewarding.

Overview

The Tool Maker II position supports manufacturing departments by building, maintaining, and editing the designs of jigs, fixtures, automated manufacturing devices and custom cutting tools used within manufacturing.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Builds, repairs, and edits the designs of high precision parts, jigs, fixtures, and related tooling and devices using provided drawings and models.
• Provides grinding services to manufacturing to create and/or modify custom cutting tools.
• Instructs internal customers on proper use and care of custom-ground cutting tools. Suggests and implements improvements to cutter design to improve performance.
• Works from engineering CAD files of new designs (or revisions to current designs), in order to develop accurate, efficient, and safe CNC programs using CAM software. Responsible for coding standard tooling part programs and one-off parts related to production support. Maintains and updates CAM and CAD files for special tooling as required.
• With only occasional guidance, is able to produce parts of accuracy and precision to 0.0002" in multitude of materials, hardnesses, and finishes, with acceptable efficiency using manual and CNC equipment. Receives and provides consultation from other toolmakers on setups and planning.
• Receives occasional guidance from fellow toolmakers, Manufacturing Engineers and Automation Designers and Engineers, to build new components and devices as well as upgrades and modifications to new or existing components, projects, jigs, fixtures, and related devices that meet specifications.
• With occasional guidance, manages and documents the parts, assemblies and drawings of designs, upgrades and modifications of new and existing work using 3D CAD within a PDM system.
• Specifies - with occasional guidance - materials, alloys, hardnesses, surface finishes, surface treatments, tolerances and machining processes for parts, jigs, fixtures, and related tooling if/when unspecified by engineers.
• Repairs, builds, and edits the designs of component-holding devices (pneumatic, manual, or hydraulic).
• Able to independently setup and operate surface grinders to produce flat, perpendicular, and round shapes to 0.0002" accuracy.
• Periodically identifies incremental manufacturing improvements based on technical knowledge.
• Provides occasional direction to production staff, manufacturing engineers and technicians regarding proper use of tooling and best practices.
• Helps train apprentices and guide less experienced Tool Makers.
• Manages time and assigned work effectively, ensuring deadlines are met, maintains an acceptable dependability level, and follows all safety guidelines.

Minimum Qualifications

• Candidate generally has four to six (4-6) years' experience in close tolerance (+/-.0002") machining, machine shop practices, and machine tool set-up and operation of CNC vertical 3-axis mills, CNC lathes, manual mills and lathes, drill presses, and surface and tool grinders.
• Ability to model parts, assemblies and drawings using 3D CAD (Inventor) along with CAM programming & editing skills (Mastercam).
• Demonstrated proficiency with fixture tooling concepts, work holding practices, manufacturing methods, heat treating, and tool steel selection.
• Demonstrated proficiency with hydraulics, pneumatics, mechanics, and semi-automated devices.
• Demonstrated ability to perform accurate math calculations with a strong understanding of decimal/fraction equivalence, geometry, and trigonometry.
• Demonstrated ability to read, write, and communicate work information in English with a demonstrated ability to follow written and verbal instructions and troubleshoot problems when necessary. Must be comfortable providing input to Manufacturing Engineers and Automation Engineers and Designers, etc. using credible evidence to back up recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently yet occasional apply instructional input for others.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and use various Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) and software as necessary
• Possesses all necessary hand tools

Physical Requirements

Ability to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise maneuver up to 35 pounds with or without assistance on a routine basis. Must have manual hand dexterity to grasp, operate tools and equipment repetitively. Able to walk, stand, sit, bend, reach, and occasionally kneel, climb steps, and twist throughout an entire shift. Some areas may be exposed to chemicals, noise, vibration and /or dust, and require the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); such as, but not limited to safety glasses, hearing protection, foot protection, etc.