Engineering Tradesperson - Fabrication

Summary

Fabrication engineering tradespersons cut, shape, join and finish metal to make, maintain or repair metal products and structures.

They may produce moulds or patterns for metal castings, apply coatings and work with a variety of materials.

Duties & Tasks

Fabrication engineering tradespeople may perform the following tasks:

  • examine detailed drawings or specifications to find out job, material and equipment requirements
  • cut, roll, shape, bend, mould, spin, heat or hammer metal products to fabricate parts or sub-assemblies
  • heat treat metal parts and components
  • set up and/or operate hand and machine tools, welding equipment or Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machines
  • assemble parts and structures by lining up and joining them by welding, bolting or riveting
  • finish products by cleaning, polishing, filing or bathing them in acid solutions, or by applying protective or decorative coatings.

Specialisations

Blacksmith

A blacksmith shapes bars, rods and blocks of metal using hand or power tools to produce or repair metal articles. Blacksmiths make and repair agricultural equipment, mining and quarrying machinery, or ornamental steelwork such as gates and fences.

Boilermaker (Heavy Fabrication)

A boilermaker (heavy fabrication) cuts, shapes, assembles and joins heavy gauge metal parts to produce or repair containers that have to withstand pressure, such as ships, boilers and storage tanks. Boilermakers trained in structural fabrication may be involved in fitting, assembling and joining aluminium and steel in the construction or repair of towers, bridges, structural supports, girders and ships.

Electroplater

An electroplater coats metal parts and articles with a layer of decorative or protective metal such as copper, silver, nickel or chromium. They work for electroplating firms, anodisers, metal polishers and printed circuit board manufacturers. Electroplaters may specialise in one of the electroplating operations, such as anodising, barrel plating, metal preparation or powder coating.

Engineering Patternmaker

An engineering patternmaker constructs full-size engineering models (called patterns) out of timber. Patternmakers also produce visual models, experimental models and models for the manufacture of prototype developmental products.

Foundry Worker

A foundry worker assists tradespeople and semi-skilled workers to cast metal into shapes used as parts for machinery, motor vehicles, railway engines, stove parts and wheels.

Moulder/Coremaker

A moulder/coremaker makes sand moulds from which many kinds of metal objects are cast. They may make moulds for goods ranging from truck wheels, crankshafts and bulldozer blades, to door handles and water taps, or for the structural frames of equipment used in mining, quarrying and forestry. The moulding process is commonly automated or semi-automated.

Sheetmetal Worker (Light Fabrication)

A sheetmetal worker (light fabrication) manufactures a variety of products and components using thin sheetmetal materials. A sheetmetal worker uses hand tools, power tools and other machines to mark out, cut, shape and join a variety of sheetmetal materials. They work with galvanised steel, mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper and brass. Sheetmetal workers shape and form the cut material into products by operating sheetmetal shaping and forming machines such as brake presses, and folding, bending and rolling machines.

Welder - First Class

A welder - first class constructs or repairs metal products by joining parts either manually (using a variety of welding methods including electric arc, MIG and TIG welding or oxyacetylene welding) or by machine. These parts are used to complete structures and equipment (such as ships, bridges, pipelines, vehicles and domestic appliances).

Working Conditions

Fabrication engineering tradespersons work in workshops or production areas that can be noisy, hot and dusty. They usually spend most of their day standing and often need to bend, crouch or climb. Some may be required to work in confined spaces or at heights, and many work shifts. They may work in a team or alone. Workshops are generally spacious, ventilated and well lit.

Personal Requirements

  • enjoy working with machines
  • interested in computer programmable machinery
  • able to cope with the physical demands of the job
  • strength to handle materials, tools and machines
  • good hand-eye coordination
  • able to work in a team or independently
  • patience and accuracy
  • no skin or breathing allergies
  • safety conscious.

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