Electroplating machine operator

Electroplating machine operators set up and tend electroplating machines designed to finish and coat the metal workpieces’ (such as future pennies and jewelry) surface by using electric current to dissolve metal cations and to bond a thin layer of another metal, such as zinc, copper or silver, to produce a coherent metal coating to the workpiece’s surface.

Electroplating machine operators are employed full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week. Because many manufacturers run their machinery for extended periods, evening and weekend work is also common.

These workers often operate powerful, high-speed machines that can be dangerous and must observe safety rules. Operators usually wear protective equipment, such as safety glasses, earplugs, and steel-toed boots, to guard against flying particles of metal or plastic, machine noise, and heavy objects, respectively.

Other required safety equipment varies by work setting and machine. For example, respirators are common for those who work near materials that emit dangerous fumes or dust.

The following job titles also refer to electroplating machine operator:

lock plater
electric plater
silver plater
galvanising machine operator
gold plater
gold plating machine operator
copper plater
metal plating technician
electro plating technician
non nickel plater
hot-dip plater
zinc plater
metal plater
electro-plater
hot dip plater
oxidised finish plater
chrome plater
bronze plater
nickel plater
electro plater
electroplater
electrodeposition operator

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as electroplating machine operator. Vocational coursework in blueprint reading and metal shops is an advantage. To ensure efficiency and safety, electroplating calls for good manipulative skills such as arm-hand steadiness, manual dexterity, and multi-limb coordination.

For accuracy and precision, electroplating machine operators must have excellent vision and good auditory attention. Furthermore, visual color discrimination is required to differentiate color shades and brightness, and depth perception is needed to assess distances.

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.

Electroplating machine operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

Since electroplating machine operator is an entry-level position, competition may be high. Many industries require this type of worker but advances in technology, foreign competition, changing demands for goods and reorganization of the production process will limit growth. Opportunities will be best for those trained in the use of computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment for electroplating processes.

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

anodising machine operator
dip tank operator
coating machine operator
lacquer spray gun operator
laser marking machine operator

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

pulp control operator
automated assembly line operator
metal production supervisor
desalination technician
welding inspector

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of electroplating machine operator.

• Electroplating metal materials: The various processes various materials used for electroplating may produce, such as copper plating, silver plating, nickle plating, gold plating, embossed gold plating, degreasing, and others.
• Health and safety in the workplace: The body of rules, procedures and regulations related to safety, health and welfare of people in their workplace. 
• Electroplating processes: The various metalworking processes using electric current to form metal coating on an electrode and on the workpiece, such as pulse electroplating, pulse electrodeposition, brush electroplating, and others.
• Electric current: Flow of electric charge, carried by electrons or ions in a medium such as an electrolyte or a plasma.
• Types of metal: Qualities, specifications, applications and reactions to different fabricating processes of various types of metal, such as steel, aluminium, brass, copper and others.
• Quality standards: The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
• Electroplating machine parts: The various parts of a metalworking machine using electroplating processes to provide coating to workpieces, such as the plating barrel, plating line, borehole, battery charger, and others.

These skills are necessary for the role of electroplating machine operator.

• 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.
• 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.
• Monitor electroplating baths: Control the temperature and changing composition of the solution composed of different chemical components and used to cover a surface with a thin layer of metal.
• 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.
• Tend electroplating machine: Tend a metalworking machine designed to coat metal surfaces by using electric current to form metal coatings on an electrode and on the workpiece, monitor and operate it according to regulations.

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

• Non-ferrous metal processing: Various processing methods on non-ferrous metals and alloys such as copper, zinc and aluminium.
• Manufacturing of cutlery: The manufacture of different cutlery items, such as forks, spoons, knives, razors or scissors.
• Ferrous metal processing: Various processing methods on iron and iron-containing alloys such as steel, stainless steel and pig iron.
• Manufacturing of metal household articles: The manufacture of flatware , hollowware , dinnerware and other non-electrical utensils for use at the table or in the kitchen.
• Electrical discharge: The qualities and applications of electrical discharge, including voltage and electrodes.
• Characteristics of precious metals: Variations of precious metals according to density, corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, light reflectivity and quality.
• Manufacturing of metal assembly products: The manufacture of rivets, washers and similar non-threaded products, screw machine products, screws, nuts and similar threaded products.
• Types of metal manufacturing processes: Metal processes linked to the different types of metal, such as casting processes, heat treatment processes, repair processes and other metal manufacturing processes.
• Manufacturing of door furniture from metal: The manufacture of metal items that can be attached to a door in order to support its function and appearance. The manufacture of padlocks, locks, keys, hinges and the like, and hardware for buildings, furniture, vehicles etc.
• Electricity: Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.
• Chemistry: The composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk factors, and disposal methods.
• Coining: The process of shaping metal parts with a high relief or very fine features, such as coins, medals, badges or buttons, by pressing the surface of the metal between two dies.
• Manufacturing of weapons and ammunition: The manufacture of heavy weapons (artillery, mobile guns, rocket launchers, torpedo tubes, heavy machine guns), small arms (revolvers, shotguns, light machine guns), air or gas guns and pistols, and war ammunition. Also the manufacture of hunting, sporting or protective firearms and ammunition and of explosive devices such as bombs, mines and torpedoes.
• Metal coating technologies: The various processes and technologies used for to coating and painting fabricated metal workpieces.
• Manufacturing of steam generators: The manufacture of steam or other vapour generators, the manufacture of auxiliary plant for use with steam generators: condensers, economisers, superheaters, steam collectors and accumulators. The manufacture of nuclear reactors, parts for marine or power boilers. Also the production of pipe system construction comprising further processing of tubes generally to make pressure pipes or pipe systems together with the associated design and construction work.

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

• Apply electrolytes to cathodes and anodes: Immerse the components anode and cathode of an electric circuit in a electrolyte solution safely, consisting of metal salts, acids, bases, and other ions that facilitate the flow of electricity.
• Clean industrial containers: Clean residual dirt particles from containers. Adapt cleaning process to the customer’s requirements.
• Galvanise metal workpiece: Prevent steel or iron workpieces from rusting and other corrosion by applying a protective zinc coating to the metal surface through the process of galvanisation by using methods such as hot-dip galvanisation or electrogalvanisation.
• 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.
• Monitor gauge: Oversee the data presented by a gauge concerning the measurement of pressure, temperature, thickness of a material, and others.
• Apply preliminary treatment to workpieces: Apply preparatory treatment, through mechanical or chemical processes, to the workpiece preceding the main operation.
• Spot metal imperfections: Observe and identify various kinds of imperfections in metal workpieces or finished products. Recognise the best fitted manner of fixing the problem, which could be caused by corrosion, rust, fractures, leaks, and other signs of wear.
• Dispose of hazardous waste: Dispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.
• 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.
• Monitor coating specifications: Monitoring that specifications such as colour, shape, glaze, texture, weight, depth of coating are met.
• Provide advice to technicians: Offer advice to service technicians in case of machinery malfunctions and other technical repair tasks.
• Maintain mechanical equipment: Observe and listen to machinery operation to detect malfunction. Service, repair, adjust, and test machines, parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical principles. Maintain and repair vehicles meant for cargo, passengers, farming and landscaping.
• Consult technical resources: Read and interpret 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.
• Facilitate coated workpieces to dry: Leave freshly coated workpieces to dry in a temperature-controlled and dust-proof environment.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Set up the controller of a machine: Set up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.

8122 – Metal finishing, plating and coating machine operators

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References

1. ESCO
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
3. Job Description for an Electroplater – Chron
4. Featured image: By Maurice de Kay Thompson – Applied electrochemistry (exactly Page 33), Public Domain