Welding / Soldering / Brazing Machine Setter / Operator / Tender

Set up, operate, or tend welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies. Includes workers who operate laser cutters or laser-beam machines.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Braze Operator; Certified Welder; Fabricator; Finishing Technician (Finishing Tech); Laser Operator; Machine Operator; Mig Welder; Spot Welder; Weld Technician (Weld Tech); Welding Operator

Tasks

• Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.
• Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.
• Record operational information on specified production reports.
• Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.
• Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.
• Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records.
• Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements, as necessary.
• Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills.
• Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, or scribes.
• Set dials and timing controls to regulate electrical current, gas flow pressure, heating or cooling cycles, or shut-off.
• Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines.
• Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.
• Conduct trial runs before welding, soldering, or brazing, and make necessary adjustments to equipment.
• Give directions to other workers regarding machine set-up and use.
• Clean, lubricate, maintain, and adjust equipment to maintain efficient operation, using air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools.

Knowledge

• Production and Processing
• Administration and Management
• Design

Skills

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

Abilities

• Near Vision
• Control Precision
• Visualization
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Manual Dexterity
• Problem Sensitivity
• Information Ordering
• Selective Attention
• Multilimb Coordination
• Oral Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Category Flexibility
• Perceptual Speed
• Finger Dexterity
• Rate Control
• Reaction Time
• Trunk Strength
• Extent Flexibility
• Far Vision
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity