Header Operator

Primary Purpose and Function

The primary function of this position is to meet production requirements and perform quality checks as required. Machine operators also load wire and steel, operate, maintain and set up our cold forming headers.

Knowledge and Skills

  • High School Diploma or GED with experience or vocational/technical certification required.

  • Must have at least 1 year experience with various cold forming machinery, such as National, Waterbury, and Formax etc. in a fast-paced environment.

  • Knows the proper operation of machine (start, stop or jogging), visual check of parts for quality.

  • Ability to perform minor basic machine preventive maintenance.

  • Ability to change punches and dies as well as perform adjustments as needed.

  • Ability to identify proper leads on fingers and identify broken/worn tools upon inspection of progressions.

  • Ability to properly load wire onto machines, operate hi-lo to move parts/wire.

  • Performs tasks with minimal supervision.

  • Quality and safety focused.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

  • Set up and operates machine that automatically performs multi-operations.

  • Performs first piece inspection of part with optical inspection equipment, or equivalent measurement equipment.

  • Adjust controls to synchronize machine actions for various operations on each customized job.

  • Read and understand tool layouts and part progressions.

  • Will perform developmental set-ups and prototyping on new parts.

  • Confer with other workers about machine setups and operational specifications.

  • Shall observe operations to detect machine malfunctions and to verify that machine setups conform to specifications.

  • Measure and inspect formed parts to ensure conformance to product specifications.

  • Read blueprints to determine specified tolerances and sequences of operations for machine setup.

  • Position and move work pieces through a series of dies that compress and shape stock to form die impressions.

  • Adjust wedges & brass settings to set pressures and depths of ram strokes and to synchronize machine operations.

  • Repair, maintain, and/or replace tooling when worn, broken or out of print.

  • Remove tooling from machines when production runs are finished.

  • Use overhead crane, forklift, and hand truck to bring and remove supplies as needed.

  • Use measuring instruments to ensure and record quality information.

Physical Demands

  • Standing for prolonged periods of time – up to 8 hours or more per day.

  • Frequent lifting of objects up to 50 pounds.

  • Noise level is usually moderate to loud.

  • Ability to endure heat.

  • Fast-paced environment, subject to numerous schedule and priority changes and short notice activity.