Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Tasks Include:

• Read production schedules and work orders to determine processing sequences, furnace temperatures, and heat cycle requirements for objects to be heat-treated.
• Record times that parts are removed from furnaces to document that objects have attained specified temperatures for specified times.
• Set up and operate or tend machines, such as furnaces, baths, flame-hardening machines, and electronic induction machines, that harden, anneal, and heat-treat metal.
• Determine types and temperatures of baths and quenching media needed to attain specified part hardness, toughness, and ductility, using heat-treating charts and knowledge of methods, equipment, and metals.
• Remove parts from furnaces after specified times, and air dry or cool parts in water, oil brine, or other baths.
• Position stock in furnaces, using tongs, chain hoists, or pry bars.
• Instruct new workers in machine operation.