Toolmaker

Role Overview

The Toolmaker will be responsible for the manufacture, modification, maintenance, and repair of Zinc and Aluminium die-casting tooling. Working closely with Engineering, Quality, Production, and external suppliers, the role ensures tooling is safe, efficient, and capable of producing right-first-time castings that meet customer specifications.

• Manufacture new Zinc and Aluminium tooling and carry out tooling modifications using 2D drawings and 3D CAD data.
• Provide accurate lead times and estimated hours for tooling work as required.
• Consult with Engineering and contribute to tooling design improvements where applicable.
• Liaise with subcontractors and external service providers when required.
• Set up tooling for the production of Zinc and Aluminium die castings.

(Including but not limited to)

• Grinding of parting lines and cavity pins.
• Polishing of cores, cavities, and runner systems using diamond paste, polishing stones, and other media to achieve required surface finishes.
• Operation of toolroom machinery and equipment, including:
• Lathes, milling machines, grinding machines
• CNC machinery
• EDM machinery
• Measuring equipment such as shadow graph, digital DRO, DTI, slip gauges, micrometers, and vernier callipers
• Final fitting of seal-off faces, pins, and moving cores.
• Validation of externally supplied tooling processes where applicable.
• Preparation of new tools for sampling, including completion of all required documentation.
• Work with die-casting machine setters to assess and resolve tooling-related production issues.

Essential

• Proven experience in mechanical engineering.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and 3D CAD models.
• Strong attention to detail.

Desirable

• Apprentice-trained Toolmaker with HNC (or equivalent) in Engineering or Engineering Practices.
• In-depth knowledge of die casting and/or injection moulding environments.
• Press tooling background (considered based on experience).
• Experience in new tool manufacture.
• Proficiency with CAD software (e.g. AutoCAD, Solid Works)