Press Operator

Position: Press Operator
Dept/Plant: L-Punch (Lower Plant)
Shift: 1st
Schedule: 6 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Thursday, with mandatory overtime as needed on Fridays

Primary Purpose:
The primary purpose of this position is to punch metal components by safely setting up and operating a bank of hydraulic and mechanical punch press machines.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Read, comprehend, and adhere to machine operating and troubleshooting procedures.
• Work independently generally but seek help when necessary to move and guide the installation of heavy die components.
• Demonstrate ability to recognize equipment anomalies and work effectively with maintenance to promptly resolve equipment problems. Perform appropriate press PM and document such actions.
• Safely maneuver heavy dies into the press with the assistance of a second operator by utilizing a hydraulic lift cart, moving dies into and out of a storage rack and onto the cart, then from the cart into the press and into the proper position based off of set-up charts or spec sheets.
• Maintain responsibility for ensuring dies are in good working condition, such as watching for good slug discharge, cleaning die, retaining training on when die needs repair or sharpening.
• Keep work cell neat and tidy, store dies and tools properly. Must help enforce area 5S requirements once they are established and sustain them.
• Practice proper lockout and blocking procedures when setting up press.
• Strictly adhere to the standard operating procedures and safety procedures relating to press operations.
• Show ability to select appropriate die components and install them in press.

• Participate in Kaizen continuous improvement events related to L-Punch work cell.
• Maintain an understanding of the product line and the functionality of the parts that are punched for all components.  Must understand the relationship of components made and how they can affect the overall product functionality. If the component is incorrect, it can prevent mating parts from lining up properly.
• Keep selected stock items readily available at all times, by utilization of Astragal Punch List.
• Set up dies from specification sheet to ensure punched bodies are dimensionally correct. Take on the responsibility of producing correct components via RF scanning.
• Handle dies with great precaution by setting proper clearances as die breakage can be very costly.
• Accurately report production and scrap to inventory control associates.
• Ensure all inventory tags are scanned or made for the raw metals and material being punched via RF scan system
• Practice excellent communication with Lead, Supervisor, Plant Manager, etc.
• Serve as a backup in areas such as security flanges, Piranha and Cincinnati presses, etc.

Requirements:

• Press experience is preferred.
• Must work well in single cell environment and be capable of retaining basic training. 
• Must be able to read a tape measure to 1/32nd as well as other precision measuring instruments such as calipers and after training, chamfer gage.
• Must be comfortable running basic shop machinery such drill presses, tapping heads, Time Saver sander.
• Must have thorough knowledge of the use of hand tools i.e. files, hammers, screw drivers, etc.
• Mechanically inclined; must be familiar with the proper use of tools such as wrenches, feeler gauges, calipers, micrometers, and dead blow hammer.
• Must be able to demonstrate mechanical common sense relating to proper torque of fasteners and component clearances.
• Must currently be, or be capable of becoming, a certified forklift operator.