| Sheet metal workers work with thin metal sheets | | | | an active machine is imperative. Even though the CNC |
| which may be up to 3mm thick that they can bend, | | | | machines contain a plastic guard a lot of tiny pieces |
| cut and shape by using different tools such as small | | | | of metal or other debris could fly into your eye |
| presses, hammers, guillotines and roller machines. | | | | without notice. When using compressed air for |
| Sheet metal employees work with stainless steel, | | | | cleaning machines you should take extra precautions |
| sheet steel, galvanized steel, copper and aluminum | | | | as your eyes could easily be damaged from flying |
| and their duties may include cutting these metals by | | | | debris as there is normally small slivers that are small |
| using templates or patterns as guides. They may also | | | | enough to fly into your eye. |
| shape the metal by forming, beating, bending or | | | | 3) Starting up your machines |
| rolling by the use of a CNC machinery and manual. | | | | One thing that new machinists often neglect to think |
| They use a range of machine and hand tools to help | | | | about is making sure that their machines are properly |
| shape and cut the metal and in order stamp or drill | | | | warmed up before they start working on them. I |
| necessary holes. They may also need to hammer | | | | would recommend allowing your machine to warm up |
| down the excess surface weld metal. Many sheet | | | | for around 10 minutes before you begin working on |
| metal workers often specialize in a variety of | | | | it. The warm up for a machine can be set to a |
| complex techniques or have the knowhow to | | | | moderate speed so not to cause any problems |
| operate more than just one of the machines. | | | | before you start applying pressure to them, very |
| Learning and understand the safety precautions will | | | | much in the same way that you would not apply too |
| keep sheet metal production staff safe while working | | | | much pressure to a cars accelerator before it is |
| around the dangerous machines. | | | | warmed up. |
| 1) Personal qualities and skills | | | | Slowly starting the machine process in the beginning |
| All workers should be able to arrive to work knowing | | | | of your shift is the best way to warm up the |
| they are safe while being in a hazardous environment. | | | | machine. If you decide to use the machine without a |
| Strong work skills and being organized should be at | | | | warm up, then it may be possible if you just start |
| the top of all employees list. They should have the | | | | your first job of on a slow cycle to make sure things |
| ability to learn and follow all engineering drawings. It's | | | | are running smoothly. |
| imperative that sheet metal workers obtain excellent | | | | 4) Cleaning you machine. |
| observational skills in order to spot dents or flaws. | | | | It is advisable to be able to clean your machine and |
| Paying close attention to detail is very important | | | | also to make sure that the chips and other debris are |
| when utilizing, marking out and when measuring | | | | cleaned away after every cycle. The small chips can |
| equipment. Being good with numbers is a must for | | | | get caught up on the various spindles of a machine |
| doing measurements and using calculations to | | | | and cause great problems when they are not |
| determine the correct shape sizes. A skilled employee | | | | removed. You also need to make sure that the chips |
| can keep himself and other employees safe by | | | | are removed from the chuck jaws and also the vices. |
| having this type of knowhow. | | | | If at all possible, sheet metal workers should plan and |
| 2) Take Protection | | | | position their workstations and materials so that |
| Make sure that you are wearing gloves with metal as | | | | heavy items can be lifted from waist high in a |
| obviously there will be sharp corners involved when | | | | standing position. Feet should be placed shoulder |
| you are working with metal. Many machinists have | | | | width apart, directly under the hips. |
| decided to not bother wearing gloves and have | | | | The body can also be positioned to take advantage |
| ended up with missing fingers or worse. It's always | | | | pivoting movements that can reduce the chance of |
| recommended that all new machinists wear work | | | | falls or improper body alignment during transfers of |
| gloves even if they are handling the metal and not | | | | heavy objects. These lifting techniques can reduce |
| just when working on the CNC machine. | | | | muscle strain and prevent neck and back injuries in |
| In addition, workers should always use safety | | | | sheet metal workers. |
| goggles at all times. Eye protection if working around | | | | |