Patternmaker / Wood

Plan, lay out, and construct wooden unit or sectional patterns used in forming sand molds for castings.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Mold Maker; Pattern Engineer; Pattern Maker; Patternmaker; Wood Pattern Maker; Wood Patternmaker; Wood Shop Moldmaker; Woodshop Worker

Tasks

• Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.
• Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts together to form patterns, models, or sections, using glue, nails, dowels, bolts, and screws.
• Lay out patterns on wood stock and draw outlines of units, sectional patterns, or full-scale mock-ups of products, based on blueprint specifications and sketches, and using marking and measuring devices.
• Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces, and plane, shave, file, scrape, and sand models to attain specified shapes, using hand tools.
• Divide patterns into sections according to shapes of castings to facilitate removal of patterns from molds.
• Verify dimensions of completed patterns, using templates, straightedges, calipers, or protractors.
• Correct patterns to compensate for defects in castings.
• Set up, operate, and adjust a variety of woodworking machines such as bandsaws and lathes to cut and shape sections, parts, and patterns, according to specifications.
• Finish completed products or models with shellac, lacquer, wax, or paint.
• Estimate costs for patternmaking jobs.
• Mark identifying information such as colors or codes on patterns, parts, and templates to indicate assembly methods.
• Repair broken or damaged patterns.
• Maintain pattern records for reference.
• Glue fillets along interior angles of patterns.
• Construct wooden models, templates, full scale mock-ups, jigs, or molds for shaping parts of products.

Knowledge

• Mathematics
• Engineering and Technology
• Design
• Mechanical
• Administration and Management
• Building and Construction
• Production and Processing
• Customer and Personal Service

Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Monitoring
• Active Listening
• Mathematics
• Critical Thinking

Abilities

• Manual Dexterity
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Control Precision
• Near Vision
• Reaction Time
• Finger Dexterity
• Information Ordering
• Visualization
• Oral Comprehension
• Problem Sensitivity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Category Flexibility
• Selective Attention
• Multilimb Coordination
• Static Strength
• Written Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Perceptual Speed
• Trunk Strength
• Depth Perception
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity