|
TOOL
& DIE MAKER
General Job Description
Tool and die makers use precision
metal-working machines and hand tools to build and
repair special tools, metal moulds and patterns used in
manufacturing. Tool and die makers fabricate tools and
equipment that, like pieces of a puzzle require a
perfect fit. While this occupation is closely allied to
the machinist trade and encompasses many of the same
skills, tool and die makers usually specialize in
producing jigs, fixtures, dies and moulds. They spend
more time fitting and assembling precision components.
Tool and die makers build, repair and
modify custom-made prototypes or special tools, jigs,
fixtures, gauges, dies, moulds, press tools and various
types of small mechanical devices. Jigs and fixtures are
devices that hold work pieces while they are bored,
stamped, milled or drilled. Dies are metal forms used to
shape metal in stamping and forging operations. They can
be combination draw, compound, flexible, embossing,
coining or progressive. Metal moulds are used for
moulding plastics.
As a tool and die maker, you can expect
to do some or all of the following tasks:
· fit and assemble a variety of tools and dies
· cut material to a required length, angle or contour
using power saws and file materials
· turn and/or bore contours, spheres and parallel
surfaces
·drill and ream holes of various sizes and depths in a
variety of materials, using drills, lathes and
horizontal or vertical mills
· mill, shape and plane metal surfaces
· cut threads, keyways, slots, serrations and grooves on
shafts and other works;
· grind and sand metal surfaces
· test surfaces for cracks, hardness and finishes using
a variety of equipment and applications
· manipulate metal through the use of heat.
As a further example of work in the
trade, when a mould is required for the mass production
of a plastic part, a tool and die maker:
· plans the project working from blueprints, models or
verbal instructions
· chooses, measures and marks metal stock
· uses a variety of machine tools to machine parts to
close tolerances
· applies heat treatments if required
· checks the accuracy of work and assembling of parts
· tests completed device for proper operation
If you like making things to exacting
specifications, enjoy detail and working with metal as
well as crafting with hand and power tools, consider
becoming a tool and die maker. A tool and die maker's
work depends upon precise measurements and accuracy so
good math skills are important. They must be able to
read and interpret information from blueprints, drawings
and specifications to fabricate all types of tools and
dies. Being mechanically minded is a plus. Depending on
where you work, this trade allows for both variety and
specialization.
To be successful in the trade, tool and
die makers need:
· the ability to work quickly, yet patiently and
accurately
· mechanical ability to use tools and machines to
build complex parts
· good manual dexterity and an eye" for shape and
size
· good eyesight and hand/eye coordination
· ability to visualize a finished product
· logical reasoning ability
· the ability to work with both metric and
imperial measurements
· strong academic fundamentals in mathematics,
physics, metallurgy and engineering drawings
Salary and Wages Rates
There is a wide range of incomes in this
occupation; tool and die makers earned between $20,880
to $50,200 in 2000. The
starting salary for most new tool and die makers is
roughly $11.00 Canadian per hour. This equals $1,740
per month. This rate increases gradually as you
acquire skills, gain competency and improve your English
and cultural understanding.
Within five years, it is very likely
that your salary will reach $35,000 Canadian dollars.
If your spouse finds a part time or
full-time job, she may be able to earn between
$500-$1200 per month as well. There are service jobs in
restaurants, factories, hotels, and grocery stores where
your wife may enjoy working.
Health and Disability Insurance
Health insurance is provided by each
provincial government and is available to all new
permanent residents. Employers also offer company
insurance for your family that usually includes
short-term and long-term disability insurance, dental
and eye insurance and extra medical insurance that
covers prescription drugs. Please note that although
each province provides health care, they do not cover
the cost of prescription drugs. This is why having a
company medical plan is so important. Usually your
employer will pay for half the cost of your private
insurance. The cost per family is usually around $100
Canadian dollars (the employer will also pay around $100
on your behalf for a total insurance cost of $200 per
month).
Career Prospects
Tool and die makers are employed in large
factories or in smaller industrial complexes. They
usually work indoors in "tool rooms" or machine shops in
businesses that manufacture metal working machinery,
tools and dies, automobiles, aircraft, electrical
machinery, fabricated metal products and plastics.
Experienced tool and die makers may
advance to supervisory positions. A few become tool
designers and/or open their own tool and die shops. With
additional training, tool and die makers can transfer
their skills to related occupations such as machinist or
millwright.
The trend in the last decade, as with
many trades, is toward computerization. Tool and Die
Makers are now being required to operate computerized
numeric control machines. Although the machines are
programmed by engineers or programmers, the tool and die
maker must understand the programming process. As well,
Tool and Die Makers need to know quite a bit about
metallurgy.
Cost of Living
Most machinist jobs will be located in
small rural communities with populations between 300 –
5000 people. Housing rentals usually cost between
$300-400 per month for a 100 square meter apartment.
Food usually costs roughly $300-400 per month for a
family of three people. You will be required to pay
government taxes of between 15-20% per year. Taxes will
be automatically deducted from your pay cheque each
month.  
You will also receive roughly $1,700 per
year if you have a child less than 18 years old. This
is called the Government Child Tax Benefit Plan. You
will also receive a GST rebate each year of roughly
$250. In total, you should receive around $1900-2000
per year in refunds from the government.
English Language Requirements
At the time of application, it is not
necessary to take an English language test such as TOEFL
or IELTS. However, it is important that once an offer
of employment has been issued, that you enroll in a
local English school to improve your oral and listening
skills in English. The immigration department will
expect that you can converse in general, everyday
English once your visa is approved and you are ready to
depart for Canada.
|
