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List of Careers

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

Description

Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, milling and engraving machines, and jig borers, to make working models of metal or plastic objects.

Experience

A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Tasks

Assembles mechanical, electrical, and electronic components into models or prototypes, using hand tools, power tools, and fabricating machines.
Wires and solders electrical and electronic connections and components.
Sets up and operates machines, such as lathes, drill presses, punch presses, or bandsaws, to fabricate prototypes or models.
Drills, countersinks, and reams holes in parts and assemblies for bolts, screws, and other fasteners, using power tools.
Consults and confers with engineering personnel to discuss developmental problems and recommend modifications to correct or improve performance of product.
Inspects and tests model or other product to verify conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments or circuit tester.
Aligns, fits, and joins parts, using bolts or screws or by welding or gluing.
Determines fixtures, machines, tooling, and sequence of operations to fabricate parts, dies, and tooling, according to drawings and sketches.
Studies blueprint, drawings, or sketches, and computes dimensions for laying out materials and planning model production.
Makes bridges, plates, wheels, cutting teeth on wheels and pinions, and threaded screws.
Lays out and marks reference points and dimension on materials, using measuring instruments and drawing or scribing tools.
Grinds, files, and sands parts to finished dimensions.
Records specifications, production operations, and final dimensions of model for use in establishing operating standards and machinery procedures.
Fabricates metal or plastic parts, using hand tools.
Reworks or alters component model or parts as required to ensure performance of equipment or that parts meet standards.
Cuts, shapes, and forms metal parts, using lathe, power saw, snips, power brakes and shear, files, and mallets.
Devises and constructs own tools, dies, molds, jigs, and fixtures, or modifies existing tools and equipment.

National Average Salary

$37,540.00/year

Average Salary in Maryland

$41,870.00/year

Important Abilities

   1. Visualization
   2. Information Ordering
   3. Written Comprehension
   4. Oral Expression
   5. Control Precision

General Work Activities

   1. Handling and Moving Objects
   2. Controlling Machines and Processes
   3. Drafting & Specifying Technical Devices, etc.
   4. Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
   5. Inspecting Equipment, Structures, Material

Important Skills

   1. Technology Design
   2. Testing
   3. Product Inspection
   4. Equipment Selection
   5. Operations Analysis

Frequent Work Context

   1. Indoors
   2. Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
   3. Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
   4. Using Hands on Objects, Tools, Controls
   5. Degree of Automation

Related Careers

Related Majors (A) Associate (B) Bachelors (C) Certificate (D) Doctor (M) Master

No Related Major Found

MarylandMentor Institutions Offering Related Majors

No Institution Found

The majors and institutions listed here are based on the current information in our database. Please be aware this information may be subject to change. We strongly encourage you to consult with your career counselor.

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