Tool grinder

Tool grinder perform precision grinding processes on metal objects and tools. They grind, sharpen or smoothen metal surfaces using the appropriate tools and instruments. Tool grinders follow tooling instructions and assure the processed workpiece meets the necessary specifications.

The following job titles also refer to tool grinder:

lead tool grinder
grinder
tool cutter and grinder
operator of tool and cutter grinder
precision tool grinder
toolgrinder
tool sharpener
CNC operator of tool and cutter grinder

A High school diploma is generally required to work as a tool grinder.

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.

Tool grinder is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to tool grinder.

surface grinding machine operator
drill press operator
laser marking machine operator
deburring machine operator
nailing machine operator

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

automated assembly line operator
precision mechanics supervisor
metal production supervisor
product development engineering technician
plastic and rubber products manufacturing supervisor

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of tool grinder.

• Cutting technologies: The variety of cutting technologies, such as software or mechanics, guiding cutting processes through lasering, sawing, milling etc.
• 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.

These skills are necessary for the role of tool grinder.

• 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.
• 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.
• Manipulate metal: Manipulate the properties, shape and size of metal.
• 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.
• Use metalworking tools: Use the appropriate metalworking tools to manipulate metal objects or surfaces. Use adequate instruments to grind, smoothen or sharpen metals.
• Operate precision measuring equipment: Measure the size of a processed part when checking and marking it to check if it is up to standard by use of two and three dimensional precision measuring equipment such as a caliper, a micrometer, and a measuring gauge.
• 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.
• Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
• Ensure equipment availability: Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.
• Apply precision metalworking techniques: Comply with precision standards specific to an organisation or product in metalworking, involved in processes such as engraving, precise cutting, welding.
• 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.
• Ensure equipment maintenance: Ensure that the equipment required for operations is regularly checked for faults, that routine maintenance tasks are performed, and that repairs are scheduled and performed in the case of damage or flaws.

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

• Plumbing tools: A variety of common plumbing tools and their usage cases, limitations and risks.
• Metal and metal ore products: The offered metal and metal ore products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
• Mechanical tools: Understand machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Woodworking tools: The various tools used to process wood, such as planers, chisels and lathes.
• 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.
• Industrial tools: The tools and equipment used for industrial purposes, both power and hand tools, and their various uses.
• Metalworking tools: The equipment and tools used in metalworking processes, such as welding or soldering torches, saws, deburring files, and metal drills.
• Metal smoothing technologies: The various technologies used for the smoothening, polishing and buffing of fabricated metal workpieces.
• Manufacturing of tools: The manufacture of knives and cutting blades for machines or for mechanical appliances, hand tools such as pliers, screwdrivers etc. The manufacture of non-power-driven agricultural hand tools, saws and saw blades, including circular saw blades and chainsaw blades. The manufacture of interchangeable tools for hand tools, whether or not power-operated, or for machine tools: drills, punches, milling cutters etc. The manufacture of press tools, moulding boxes and moulds (except ingot moulds), vices and clamps, and blacksmiths’ tools: forges, anvils etc.
• Machine tools: The offered machine tools and products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
• Types of heat sealing: The types of heat sealing that exist, for example induction sealing, induction welding, hot bar sealers, continuous heat sealing and impulse heat sealers and understand for which type of materials they are used.

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

• Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
• Apply preliminary treatment to workpieces: Apply preparatory treatment, through mechanical or chemical processes, to the workpiece preceding the main operation.
• 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.
• Cut metal products: Operate cutting and measuring instruments in order to cut/shape pieces of metal into given dimensions.
• Smooth burred surfaces: Inspect and smooth burred surfaces of steel and metal parts.
• Assess suitability of metal types for specific application: Assess the physical nature and structural composition of various metals and alloys, and analyse how the materials behave in different circumstances.

7224 – Metal polishers, wheel grinders and tool sharpeners

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References

1. Tool grinder – ESCO