Engineering Tradesperson - Mechanical

Mechanical engineering tradespersons carry out a range of mechanical work on machines, sub-assemblies and manufactured parts using a range of processes, tools and machines.

A mechanical engineering tradesperson may perform the following tasks:

examine detailed drawings or specifications to find out job, material and equipment requirements
set up and adjust metalworking machines and equipment
operate machines to produce parts or tools by turning, boring, milling, planing, shaping, slotting, grinding or drilling metal stock or components
fit and assemble metal parts, tools or sub-assemblies, including welding or brazing parts
cut, thread, bend and install hydraulic and pneumatic pipes and lines
dismantle faulty tools and assemblies and repair or replace defective parts
set up and/or operate hand and machine tools, welding equipment or Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machines
check accuracy and quality of finished parts, tools or sub-assemblies.

Specialisations:

With experience and further study, competent tradespeople can upgrade their qualifications to the technician, associate, technologist or engineer level. Mechanical engineering tradespersons may specialise.

Fitter

A fitter fits and assembles parts and sub-assemblies made from metal and other materials to make production machinery and other equipment. The work of fitters can be divided into three main areas: marking out work to be done, assembling and installing machines, and maintaining and repairing them. They may be known as bench fitters, diesel fitter mechanics, fitter machinists, fitter welders, fluid power fitters or maintenance fitters.

Fitters may shrink-fit parts during assembly, using oxy-acetylene torches and presses, dry ice and carbon dioxide freezing; manufacture, repair and fault-find hydraulic and pneumatic equipment; inspect machinery and make repairs; and erect machinery and equipment on site.

Gunsmith

A gunsmith alters, services and repairs rifles, revolvers and other firearms. Gunsmiths need good background training in fitting, turning and welding. Knowledge of woodwork and different types of steel is useful for producing, fitting and polishing various parts.

Gunsmiths identify the problem in a faulty firearm by dismantling and examining its parts such as barrels, triggers and bolts. Then they repair the fault with hand or machine tools, replacing worn and broken parts with new ones, realigning gun sights, replacing wooden rifle stocks or adjusting parts of the firing mechanisms. They may also test and operate firearms to ensure the parts work smoothly; produce, fit and assemble parts for custom-built or other specialised small guns; modify guns to customer specifications (such as rebuilding to improve shooting accuracy); and make ammunition or refill used cartridges using special tools and machines.

The work of a gunsmith can be very noisy and sometimes hazardous.

Locksmith

A locksmith tests security requirements and installs and maintains locks and related security equipment.

Locksmiths inspect sites and consult clients to assess risks; design or recommend appropriate systems such as safes, strongrooms, master key systems, alarms or door and window locks; install, replace and maintain locking systems, alarms and access control systems; and modify locks by changing tumblers in locking mechanisms or by changing locks.

Locksmiths can specialise in lock manipulation, safe work, key manufacture and identification, door closure work or master key systems.

Locksmiths work with minimal supervision and may spend some time travelling from job to job. They may work irregular hours.

Metal Machinist

A metal machinist sets up and operates tools to cut, shape and form metal stock and castings to exact sizes, using detailed drawings, CAD systems and specifications. They machine metal components from single to complex form. Metal machinists make machines and equipment that are used to produce goods such as food, clothes, steel products and cars.

Metal machinists can specialise in many types of machining work such as turning, drilling, boring, milling, shaping or grinding. They may choose to specialise as aircraft machinists, automotive machinists, engine reconditioners, plant machinists (dealing with heavy equipment and machinery), machine setters (metal), turners, milling machinists, radial drillers or vertical borers.

Machinists increasingly specialise in the use of computer-controlled machines which accurately cut or electrically erode shapes.

Metal machinists work in machine shops or workshops with other metal workers such as fitters, process workers and markers-off.

Toolmaker

A toolmaker makes and repairs moulds, dies, jigs, fixtures, press tools and other special equipment, to produce parts for industrial machinery and most other manufactured articles. They may make precision machinery for machine tools and other manufacturing machinery.

Toolmakers work out sizes and allowances for error based on their knowledge of how materials such as metals, metal alloys and plastics will behave when they are being cut. (Frequently, their work must be accurate to less than 0.01 mm.) They position, measure and mark out metal stock or castings, checking dimensions and alignments with gauges, micrometers and other measuring devices; machine awkward or complex internal shapes using advanced machine tools, such as electrical discharge machines which use a spark erosion process; and design tools and precision equipment.

Toolmakers can specialise as die casters, die sinkers, jigmakers (metal), plastic mould makers and press tool makers.

Recent changes in the industry have resulted in a number of trade jobs being merged into a single broad occupation. The new training structure provides a mix of skills across a number of traditional occupations as well as allowing the Australian Apprentice to develop specific skills.

Mechanical engineering tradespersons usually work in workshops or production areas that can be noisy, hot and dusty. They may spend most of their day standing and often need to bend, crouch or climb.

Mechanical engineering tradespersons must be aware of safety regulations and wear protective equipment (for example, earmuffs to minimise noise levels in the workplace).

Personal Requirements:

enjoy technical work
physically fit
good hand-eye coordination
able to work as part of a team
able to work independently
practical ability
attention to detail
normal hearing
no skin allergies.

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