Parts, tools, and dies for use in manufacturing plants are created by a toolmaker. He or she usually works in a specialized factory or machinist shop, producing new parts and machines with a variety of hand tools and large robotic equipment. A toolmaker may be in charge of a specific step in the toolmaking process, such as feeding raw materials into a cutting machine or assembling finished parts. From creating a blueprint to testing a finished instrument, a professional in a small toolmaking shop may be able to control the entire process.
Many toolmakers are involved in the development of new machines and tools from the ground up. They frequently use computer-aided design programs to create blueprints, which aid them in determining the proper dimensions for precision tools and the most efficient use of material. To get a tool from design to production, some toolmakers use computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines. Expert toolmakers feed blueprint data into fully automated CNC machines, which perform all of the tasks required to create a part or tool. Certain delicate jobs, on the other hand, necessitate manual cutting, grinding, and finishing by a toolmaker.
A toolmaker participates in the assembly process when parts for a large piece of factory equipment are machined. He or she will check dimensions and connect pieces together using a variety of hand and power tools while carefully following blueprints. He or she will test a machine after it has been fully assembled to ensure that everything is working properly. Machines are delivered to factories and manufacturing plants once they are completed. On older manufacturing equipment, toolmakers are frequently called upon to perform maintenance and replace parts.
To work as a toolmaker, most people need at least a high school diploma. Many employers provide apprenticeships to new employees, allowing them to learn the trade while assisting experienced employees. Apprenticeships usually last four to five years and include both classroom and on-the-job training. New toolmakers are taught about safety procedures, the various types of machinery found in a toolmaking shop, and how to use various computer programs. A toolmaker can obtain a journey worker certification and begin working independently after completing an apprenticeship.
The toolmaker’s role is evolving as computer and industrial technology advances. He or she usually spends a lot of time working with computer-aided design programs and CNC machines, and very little time cutting and molding tools manually. To meet the needs of modern toolmaking shops, there is a growing demand for professionals with a strong understanding of engineering and computer science.