Senior Die Corrector

Description:

Reporting to the Extrusion Manager, this role involves correction, maintenance and continuous improvement of all extrusion tooling including dies, rings, bolsters, support tooling and some press tooling. Die correction is a unique trade specific to the aluminum extrusion industry and requires years of hands-on experience to become proficient. This position is integral to the success and development of new and existing products produced in the extrusion press.

Functional Responsibilities

- Works closely with the Extrusion Department, Quality Manager, and Die Shop Team and Die suppliers.

- Must be able to communicate with die vendors on quotes or new profiles including the bearing lengths, port sizes, and number of holes.

- Responsible for the correction and maintenance of extrusion tooling ensuring that it will produce quality extrusions at the desired rate.

- Must understand reaction to die tooling as well as billet flow and temperatures.

- Monitor production at the press to determine flow inconsistencies and die performance to diagnose proper repair requirements.

- Analyze initial breakthrough and profile samples to determine the dimensions and corrections required.

- Must thoroughly understand the proper methods for repairing and modifying dies, feeders, portholes and support tooling to achieve the production of high-quality extrusions.

- Must understand and apply regular maintenance requirements of caustic cleaning, polishing, as well as inspection for tooling stress cracks and excessive wear.

- Determine frequencies of sending out dies for nitriding.

- Understand industry tolerance requirements, print reading, and the use of precision measuring instruments.

- Maintain Die Management Program by keeping detailed records of die corrections and die history.

- Will need extensive knowledge of extrusion press operation and be capable of differentiating between press variable effects and die & tooling design influences on the finished production extrusions.

Requirements:

- Good understanding of 6XXX series alloys.

- Must be able to perform basic welds and operate equipment l to make repairs on Aluminum extrusion dies.

- This position requires a solid understanding of the aluminum extrusion process and the skillset to be able to understand process and metal-flow.

- Must have worked as a die corrector on an aluminum extrusion press.

- Must have a solid understanding extrusion press tooling.

- Must be able to perform the necessary work to correct an extrusion die including caustic and sandblasting.

- Knowledgeable with infrared ovens and the ability to schedule when dies enter and exit the ovens.

- Possess a good understanding of tolerancing and GD&T.

- Advanced support to extrusion presses, and ability to troubleshoot die issues.

- Repair and preventative maintenance of production tooling.

- Operate equipment such as mills, cranes, and other die related equipment as needed.

- Ability to accurately use calipers/micrometers, feeler and pin gauges.

- Rework and repair all die tooling as necessary.

- Review Die inspection reports for proper corrective action.

- Must know how to polish and flatten bearings.

- Evaluate existing tooling for potential replacements and verify new dies upon arrival.

- Maintain inventory of supplies and order as needed to keep the die shop equipped with items such as files, grinding stones, caustic, and sandpaper.

- Understand all company policies and comply with all safety guidelines.

Technical Skills

- Minimum of 2 years die correction experience.

- Advanced mathematical and analytical skills.

- Advanced computer skills (Microsoft Office) and AutoCAD a plus.

- Ability to read/understand extrusion die drawings.

- Ability to lift 75 pounds.

- Experience with mill, die oven and caustic system operations.

- Ability to achieve forklift and crane certifications (prior forklift and side loader experience a plus).

- Understand and comply with all production documents and safety guidelines.

- Manufacturing experience working in industrial production is strongly preferred.

- Good communication skills.

- Positive attitude and willingness to work as part of a team.

- You will need to be reliable and punctual.

- Must be willing to work overtime as needed.