Industrial machinery assembler

An industrial machinery assembler

Description

Industrial machinery assemblers manufacture industrial equipment such as industrial robots, assembly line machines, and labeling machines. They use hand tools and computer-controlled machines.

Excludes industrial machinery mechanics.

The duties of an industrial machine assembler include, but are not limited to:

  • Construct and assemble machines and engines.
  • Use hoists to position and align components.
  • Complete testing.
  • Verify functioning and conformance to specifications.
  • Install piping, fixtures, or wiring and electrical components to form assemblies or subassemblies.
  • Install systems of gears.
  • Align and mesh gears in gearboxes.
  • Read and interpret schematics, blueprints, and drawings.
  • Verify conformance of parts to stock lists and blueprints, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauges, and micrometer.
  • Verify parts clearances.
  • Smooth out rough spots and trim or fit surfaces using power tools.
  • Repair or replace damaged parts.
  • Set up and operate metalworking machines, such as milling and grinding machines, to shape or fabricate parts.
  • Inspect subassemblies.
  • Lubricate or grease parts.
  • Lay out and drill, ream, tap, or cut parts for assembly.
  • Use calipers, gauges, and micrometers.
  • Assemble other machines as needed.
  • Perform regular repairs and update parts.

Working conditions

Industrial machinery assemblers work in manufacturing plants, and working conditions vary by plant and by industry. Many physically difficult tasks, such as tightening massive bolts or moving heavy parts into position, have been automated or made easier through the use of power tools. Assembly work, however, may still involve long periods of standing, sitting, or working on ladders.

Injuries and Illnesses

Some industrial machinery assemblers come into contact with potentially dangerous chemicals or fumes, but ventilation systems usually minimize any harmful effects. Other assemblers come into contact with oil and grease, and their work areas may be noisy. Fiberglass laminators and fabricators are exposed to fiberglass, which may irritate the skin; these workers must wear protective gear, such as gloves and long sleeves, and must use respirators for safety.

Work Schedules

Most industrial machinery assemblers work full time. Some assemblers work in shifts, which may require evening, weekend, and night work.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to industrial machinery assembler:

assembly line machine tender
industrial machinery assembly line inspector
bench precision assembler
assembly line operative
machine assembly worker
machine assembler
manufacturing assembler
assembly worker
sub assembler
final assembler
assembly line operator

Minimum qualifications

A high school diploma is typically required to work as an industrial machinery assembler. Employers usually provide on-the-job training.

ISCO skill level

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.

Industrial machinery assembler is a Skill level 2 occupation.

Industrial machinery assembler career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to industrial machinery assembler.

container equipment assembler
greaser
industrial machinery mechanic
precision mechanic
fluid power technician

Long term prospects

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

pneumatic engineering technician
automated assembly line operator
industrial engineering technician
process engineering technician
production engineering technician

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of industrial machinery assembler.

  • 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.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of industrial machinery assembler.

  • Maintain industrial equipment: Perform routine maintenance on industrial machinery and equipment to ensure that it is clean and in safe, working order.
  • 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.
  • Secure working area: Secure the operation site fixing boundaries, restricting access, placing signs and taking other measures in order to guarantee public and staff safety.
  • Perform maintenance on installed equipment: Perform the maintenance on installed equipment on-site. Follow procedures to avoid uninstalling equipment from machinery or vehicles.
  • Assemble machines: Put together devices, and components according to drawings. Program and install the components where needed.
  • 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.
  • Inspect industrial equipment: Inspect equipment used during industrial activities such as manufacturing or construction equipment in order to ensure that the equipment complies with health, safety, and environmental legislation.
  • 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.
  • Install machinery: Build the pre-assembled components of a machine on site, adjust it according to specifications and put it into operation.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

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

Optional skills and competences

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

  • Perform pre-assembly quality checks: Inspect product parts for faults or damages, using testing equipment if necessary, and check that the received lot is complete before assembling the finished products.
  • Maintain records of maintenance interventions: Keep written records of all repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, including information on the parts and materials used, etc.
  • 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.
  • Resolve equipment malfunctions: Identify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions. Communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.
  • Use welding equipment: Operate welding equipment in a safe manner; use welding techniques such as shielded metal arc welding or flux-cored arc welding.
  • Record test data: Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
  • Use testing equipment: Use equipment to test performance and operation of machinery.
  • Wear appropriate protective gear: Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
  • Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
  • Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
  • Monitor automated machines: Continuously check up on the automated machine’s set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.
  • Operate industrial equipment: Operate devices, machinery, and equipment used in industrial production. Industrial equipment usually includes mounting, adjusting, clamping, rotating, and indexing elements, as well as mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromechanical drives that actuate these elements.
  • Set up machine controls: Set up or adjust machine controls to regulate conditions such as material flow, temperature, or pressure.
  • Recognise signs of corrosion: Recognise the symptoms of metal showing oxidation reactions with the environment resulting in rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others, and estimate the rate of corrosion.
  • Apply technical communication skills: Explain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.
  • Repair industrial equipment: Repair industrial machinery and equipment and replace defective components, parts and systems when necessary, using hand and power tools.
  • Develop assembly instructions: Develop a code of letters and numbers to label diagrams for assembly instructions.

ISCO group and title

8211 – Mechanical machinery assemblers


References
  1. ESCO
  2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
  3. Engine & Other Machine Assembler Job Description | LocalJobNetwork.com
  4. Featured image: Photo by Chevanon Photography
Last updated on June 24, 2022

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