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Patternmakers, Metal & Plastic

Also called: Pattern Maker, Metal Pattern Maker, Machinist, Die Cast Die Maker

What they do:
Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.
On the job, you would:
  • Set up and operate machine tools, such as milling machines, lathes, drill presses, and grinders, in order to machine castings or patterns.
  • Read and interpret blueprints or drawings of parts to be cast or patterns to be made; then compute dimensions and plan operational sequences.
  • Verify conformance of patterns or template dimensions to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, scales, and micrometers.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
  • mechanical
  • design
Math and Science
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
  • manufacture and distribution of products
Business
  • management

Skills

Basic Skills
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
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
Verbal
  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by speaking
Ideas and Logic
  • notice when problems happen
  • order or arrange things

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Independence
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Innovation
  • Integrity

Technology

Examples of the technology used in this career will be available soon.

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
some college or
high school diploma
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Registered Apprenticeship

Job Outlook

Below Average Outlook
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
$39,950
per year, on average
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about patternmakers, metal and plastic.