Welding Machine Operators

Key Responsibilities

• Load or feed workpieces into welding machines to join or bond components.
• Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records.
• Fill hoppers and position spouts to direct flow of flux or manually brush flux onto seams of workpieces.
• Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.
• Add chemicals or materials to workpieces or machines to facilitate bonding or to cool workpieces.
• Select, position, align, and bolt jigs, holding fixtures, guides, or stops onto machines, using measuring instruments and hand tools.
• Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.
• Clean, lubricate, maintain, and adjust equipment to maintain efficient operation, using air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools.
• Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, or scribes.
• Immerse completed workpieces into water or acid baths to cool and clean components.
• Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.
• Conduct trial runs before welding, soldering, or brazing, and make necessary adjustments to equipment.
• Transfer components, metal products, or assemblies, using moving equipment.
• Dress electrodes, using tip dressers, files, emery cloths, or dressing wheels.
• Compute and record settings for new work, applying knowledge of metal properties, principles of welding, and shop mathematics.
• Tend auxiliary equipment used in welding processes.
• Give directions to other workers regarding machine set-up and use.
• Start, monitor, and adjust robotic welding production lines.
• Record operational information on specified production reports.
• Observe meters, gauges, or machine operations to ensure that soldering or brazing processes meet specifications.
• Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills.
• Anneal finished workpieces to relieve internal stress.
• Devise or build fixtures or jigs used to hold parts in place during welding, brazing, or soldering.
• 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.
• Remove completed workpieces or parts from machinery, using hand tools.
• Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.
• Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.
• Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements, as necessary.