Cell Technician

Overview

This role is responsible for setting up and operating the machines within our High Performance Cell. The equipment includes a Swiss style turning center, a 4 station rotary cutting and end work machine, and a 10 station rotary turning / milling machine. With the complex nature of product manufactured in the CNC department, set up and related tooling is a critical part of the process.

The change would create a new role to use our best and most motivated people to focus on troubleshooting and machine set up thus allowing operators to concentrate on increasing output and achieving quality standards. This role would have close relationship with CNC programmers, tooling vendors, and operators.

Function & Scope of Responsibility

• Pre stage tooling ahead of machines running out current job.
• Support pre staging of materials in coordination with operator, programmer and Area Lead.
• Responsible for safe setting of all equipment and relevant tooling in the HPC work center.
• Support training of production operators in safe and efficient operation of machines.
• Take an active role in suggesting improvements to the process with regards to SMED and throughput, and standardizing machine practices.
• Support improvement in 5S standards in the area especially around tooling storage and staging.
• Support DVC and cost reduction initiatives.
• Participate in testing of inserts, tooling, and materials.
• Responsible for reviewing tooling prior to put away.
• Follows all departmental and company safety rules / procedures.
• Receives instructions, material requirements, prints, routings, and work orders for the job.
• Conveys supervisor’s instructions to operators or provides direction in the absence of the supervisor.
• Works with direct and indirect labor personnel to ensure raw materials, parts, and tooling are available and staged to maintain an uninterrupted flow of production.
• Works with machine operators to provide operational and troubleshooting assistance.
• Sets up and operates equipment as required.
• Proficient in the use of measuring instruments, i.e., scales, calipers, and micrometers.
• Performs inspection to assure product meets quality standards.
• Recognizes non-conforming product, worn tooling, and machine conditions.
• Completes and forwards required paperwork and records.
• Attends meetings as required.
• Reports progress / status to supervisor.
• Maintains work area in a neat and orderly condition.
• Performs other miscellaneous duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Authority/Decision Making – This role will serve as technical for the HPC work center and CNC department, assisting in machine set ups, troubleshooting, and personnel training. Low level decision making required in regards to general machining and optimization of work cell flow.

• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings and set up sheets.
• Ability to set and adjust tooling and inserts.
• Previous technical skills in a similar role.
• Competent with measuring equipment to include calipers, micrometers, gage blocks and height gages.
• Experienced working with complex automation and/or robotics, swiss turn lathe, rotary machining centers, and CNC machines.
• Ability to read, edit, and optimize programs.
• Understanding of general machining optimization including but not limited to, tool life, cycle time, etc.

• 2 years set up experience.

• Must be prepared to be flexible with working hours and shift patterns to support the business needs.
• Experience with continuous improvement projects such as Lean Six Sigma, Kaizan, and/or 5S is preferred.
• Prior overhead crane and safe material handling experience a plus.
• Must be able to work in manufacturing setting around loud noises, extreme temperatures, or other conditions.