Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, & Tenders, Metal & Plastic
Code: 51-4191.00
Description : 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.
JobTitles : Heat Treat Operator, Heat Treater, Furnace Operator, Batch Heat Treat Operator, Machine Operator, Scarf and Anneal Operator, Batch Operator, Coating Line Worker, Heat Treat Technician, Oven Operator
Tasks:
- 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.
- Set up and operate or tend machines, such as furnaces, baths, flame-hardening machines, and electronic induction machines, that harden, anneal, and heat-treat metal.
- Determine types and temperatures of baths and quenching media needed to attain specified part hardness, toughness, and ductility, using heat-treating charts and knowledge of methods, equipment, and metals.
- Remove parts from furnaces after specified times, and air dry or cool parts in water, oil brine, or other baths.
- Position stock in furnaces, using tongs, chain hoists, or pry bars.
- Instruct new workers in machine operation.
- 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.
- Determine flame temperatures, current frequencies, heating cycles, and induction heating coils needed, based on degree of hardness required and properties of stock to be treated.
- Load parts into containers and place containers on conveyors to be inserted into furnaces, or insert parts into furnaces.