A plastic fabricator is someone who designs and fabricates plastic items for a variety of uses, such as machine parts, telecommunications components, medical devices, and general consumer goods. The specific job functions of a plastic fabricator can vary depending on the environment in which he or she works as well as the machinery that is being used. A hobbyist, for example, can make plastic parts at home with only homemade molds and jigs, whereas a professional fabricator may have more advanced equipment that allows him or her to make many different parts of various designs or multiple parts of the same design.
A plastic fabricator may design a part for a specific application in some cases. If a manufacturer needs a plastic casing for a tool in development, for example, a plastic fabricator can interpret the tool’s current designs to create a shell design that protects the tool without adding bulk. The fabricator is involved in the design of the part in this case, which is not always the case. A plastic fabricator will frequently interpret existing plans in order to produce a part that has already been designed. The fabricator must then create the piece while adhering to very tight tolerances in order for the plastic piece to fit into the existing design.
Because there are several methods for fabricating plastic, the fabricator must be familiar with all of them and be able to use them appropriately to accommodate a specific piece. It’s critical to keep up with current developments in the field; the best fabricators will be able to provide customers with cutting-edge technology and quick turnaround times. In some cases, the plastic fabricator is also in charge of other aspects of the business besides fabrication, such as customer service, advertising, budgeting, employee hiring and firing, and payroll.
As a result, some fabricators are also business owners. A fabricator does not have to own a business; instead, he or she can work for a fabrication company, where he or she will interact with other fabricators, report to managers, and complete a set number of fabrication tasks each day. To avoid injury or damage to machinery, the fabricator, like other employees, must follow specific safety regulations and techniques in the workplace. Because fumes from the plastic fabrication process can be harmful, appropriate safety equipment must be worn and safety procedures must be carefully followed.