Belt builder

Belt builders make transmission and conveyor belts by building up plies of rubberised fabric. They cut the ply to required length with scissors and bond plies together with rollers and stitchers. Belt builders insert the finished belt between the pressure rollers. They measure the finished belt to check if it conforms to specifications.

The following job titles also refer to belt builder:

belt maintenance technician
belt splicer
conveyor belt builder
conveyor belt fitter
belt technician
rubber belt builder
conveyor belt technician
transmission belt builder
belt maintenance engineer
conveyor belt vulcaniser

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as a belt builder.

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.

Belt builder is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to belt builder.

V-belt builder
V-belt finisher
V-belt coverer
mineral crushing operator
rubber cutting machine tender

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

automated assembly line operator
plastic and rubber products manufacturing supervisor
air separation plant operator
chemical processing plant controller
product development engineering technician

These skills are necessary for the role of belt builder.

• 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.
• Bond rubber plies: Bond plies by insert the finished belt between the pressure rollers and rolling the belt onto the windup rack.
• Use personal protection equipment: Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
• Fabricate belts: Fabricate transmission and conveyor belts by building up plies of rubberised fabric and gum.
• Cut rubber plies: Cut the ply to required length using the scissors of knife and bond the plies together with rollers and stitchers.
• Follow safety standards in industrial contexts: Apply basic safety standards and machine-specific technical standards to prevent risks connected with the use of machines in the workplace.
• Prepare rubber plies: Prepare the rubber or gum plies for further processing by pulling them from rolls to the letoff rack and arranging them on the table, measured and aligned according to specifications.
• 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.
• Build up rubber plies: Build up the number of plies required in specifications by trimming the irregular edges using scissors or knifes.
• Measure materials: Measure the raw materials prior to their loading in the mixer or in machines, ensuring they conform with the specifications.

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

• Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

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

• Operate forklift: Operate a forklift, a vehicle with a pronged device in front for lifting and carrying heavy loads.
• Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
• Operate calender machine: Operate the calender machine which is used to coat and feed plies to the building table.
• Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
• Guide cranes: Guide a crane operator in operating the crane. Stay in contact with the operator visually, vocally, or using communication equipment to make sure the crane operation is completed in a safe and efficient manner.
• Fasten rubber goods: Fasten ferrules, buckles, straps, to rubber goods.

8141 – Rubber products machine operators

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References

1. Belt builder – ESCO