Band saw operator

Band saw operators work with industrial saws that feature a continuous flexible blade revolving around two or more wheels. Band saws are most effective at producing irregular shapes.

A band saw operator typically does the following:

• Reads job order for specifications, like material, type and size of stock, and dimensions to be cut.
• Obtains transfers stock to the machine, manually or with a hoist.
• Installs saw blade and sets blade tension cutting speed for the specified operation.
• Sets saw blade angle to obtain desired angle cuts using a wrench.
• Sets stops and guides to control dimension of cut, using steel rule wrenches.
• Positions secures stock against stops or in feeding devices.
• Turns valve to start the flow of coolant against the cutting area.
• Starts machine observes operation.
• Measures work for conformance to specifications, using the rule.
• Marks identifying data on the workpiece.
• Replaces defective cutting blade or wheel using handtools.
• May be required to have experience with custom or production work or with a particular material, product, size of workpiece, or type or trade name of the machine be designated accordingly.

Saw operators typically work in wood products manufacturing plants. The work is performed in a production area that is usually noisy and dusty. The saw operator must wear hearing protection and may be required to wear other personal protective equipment, such as safety glasses, gloves, and a dust mask. The work can be physically demanding, and the saw operator must be able to lift and move heavy lumber. The job may require standing for long periods of time and may involve shift work.

The following job titles also refer to band saw operator:

contour band saw operator
band saw user
contour bandsaw operator
band saw sawyer
band saw operative
head saw specialist
band saw technician
resaw operator
double-cut saw operator
vertical band saw operator
timber bandsaw operator
automated band saw operator
metal band saw operator
vertical bandsaw operator
CNC band saw operator
timber band saw operator
band scroll saw operator
band scroll saw specialist
horizontal band saw operator
bandsaw operator
resaw specialist
band saw specialist
band scroll saw technician
automated bandsaw operator
metal bandsaw operator
head saw technician
band saw worker
production saw operator
horizontal bandsaw operator
CNC bandsaw operator
resaw technician
head saw operator

A high school diploma is generally the minimum required to work as a band saw operator.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Band saw operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to band saw operator.

table saw operator
wood router operator
sawmill operator
nailing machine operator
wood boring machine operator

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of band saw operator. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of band saw operator with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

automated assembly line operator
pulp control operator
wood production supervisor
wood assembly supervisor
metal production supervisor

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of band saw operator.

• Sawing techniques: Various sawing techniques for using manual as well as electric saws.
• Woodworking processes: Steps in the processing of wood for the manufacturing of wooden articles and types of machines used for these processes such as drying, shaping, assembling and surface finishing.
• Cutting technologies: The variety of cutting technologies, such as software or mechanics, guiding cutting processes through lasering, sawing, milling etc.
• Wood cuts: Different ways of cutting wood, across the grain or parallel with it, and radial or tangential to the core. The behaviour of cuts of wood under different circumstances and the optimal cut for a given purpose. Influence of special attributes of the wood, like knots or defects.
• Types of sawing blades: Types of cutting blades used in the sawing process, such as band saw blades, crosscut blades, plytooth blades and others, made from tool steel, carbide, diamond or other materials.
• Types of wood: Types of wood, such as birch, pine, poplar, mahogany, maple and tulipwood.

These skills are necessary for the role of band saw operator.

• Operate band saw: Operate a band saw, an industrial saw that features a continuous flexible blade revolving around two or more wheels.
• Remove inadequate workpieces: Evaluate which deficient processed workpieces do not meet the set-up standard and should be removed and sort the waste according to regulations.
• Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
• Remove processed workpiece: Remove individual workpieces after processing, from the manufacturing machine or the machine tool. In case of a conveyor belt this involves quick, continuous movement.
• Manipulate wood: Manipulate the properties, shape and size of wood.
• Perform test run: Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
• Work safely with machines: Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.
• Dispose of cutting waste material: Dispose of possibly hazardous waste material created in the cutting process, such as swarf, scrap and slugs, sort according to regulations, and clean up workplace.
• Replace sawing blade on machine: Replace the old blade of a sawing machine with a new one by removing the chip brush, taking away the front blade guide, loosening the blade tension and removing the blade. Assemble and install new blade by replacing the front blade guide, installing the chip brush, replacing the blade cover and adjusting blade tension.
• Wear appropriate protective gear: Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
• Ensure equipment availability: Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.
• Adjust properties of cut: Adjust cut sizes and depths of cutting tools. Adjust heights of worktables and machine-arms.
• Create cutting plan: Draw up plans to show how the material will be cut into functional pieces to minimise loss of material.
• Keep sawing equipment in good condition: Make sure sawing equipment is always in good and safe working condition. Inspect the equipment for defects. Replace defective or worn-out elements in accordance with guidelines. Store elements safely when not in use. Notify the responsible party in case of large or dangerous defects.
• Supply machine: Ensure the machine is fed the necessary and adequate materials and control the placement or automatic feed and retrieval of work pieces in the machines or machine tools on the production line.
• Operate wood sawing equipment: Operate various machinery and equipment to cut wood in different sizes and shapes.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of band saw operator. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Timber products: Key features, advantages and limitations of the different timbers and timber based products sold at a company and where to access this information.
• Woodworking tools: The various tools used to process wood, such as planers, chisels and lathes.
• Mechanical systems: Mechanical systems, including gears, engines, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Their functions and likely defects.
• Manufacturing of furniture: The manufacture of all types of office, shop, kitchen or other furniture such as chairs, tables, sofas, shelves, benches and more, in various types of material such as wood, glass, metal or plastic.
• Manufacturing of daily use goods: The manufacturing of items used in the daily life, personal use or daily practice. These products include protective safety equipment, drawing equipment, stamps, umbrellas, cigarette lighters, baskets, candles, and many other miscellaneous articles.
• First aid: The emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.
• Manufacturing of sports equipment: The manufacture of products and equipment used for both outdoor and indoor sports activities, such as balls, rackets, ski’s, surfboards, fishing, hunting, skating or fitness centre equipment.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of band saw operator. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Inspect quality of products: Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
• Record production data for quality control: Keep records of the machine’s faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.
• Carry out measurements of parts: Operate measurement instruments to measure parts of manufactured objects. Take into consideration specifications of manufacturers to perform the measuring.
• Monitor stock level: Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
• Dispose waste: Dispose waste in accordance with legislation, thereby respecting environmental and company responsibilities.
• Identify hazards in the workplace: Perform safety audits and inspections on workplaces and workplace equipment. Ensure that they meet safety regulations and identify hazards and risks.
• Pack goods: Pack different kinds of goods such as finished manufactured products or goods in use. Pack goods by hand in boxes, bags and other types of containers.
• Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
• Perform machine maintenance: Perform regular maintenance, possibly including corrections and alterations, on a machine or machine tool to ensure it remains in a proper productive state.
• Provide advice to technicians: Offer help and advice to service technicians in case of machine malfunctions and other repair tasks.
• Sharpen edged tools: Identify dull edges to sharp tools, or any defect in the edge. Use appropriate equipment to safely and effectively sharpen the tool. Maintain and protect sharpened tools. Report irreparable faults to the appropriate person.
• Prepare production reports: Prepare a comprehensive and unbiased report on wood technology production and progressive development of wood based materials.
• Consult technical resources: Read and interpret such technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.
• Report defective manufacturing materials: Maintain required company records and forms in order to report any defective materials or questionable conditions of manufacturing machinery and equipment.
• Check quality of raw materials: Check the quality of basic materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished goods by assessing some of its characteristics and, if needed, select samples to be analysed.
• Program a CNC controller: Set up the desired product design in the CNC controller of the CNC machine for product manufacturing.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.

8172 – Wood processing plant operators

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References

1. Band saw operator – ESCO
2. Saw Operator Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – ClimbtheLadder
3. Featured image: Photo by Ono Kosuki from Pexels