About this Mold & Automation Technician role at Protolabs
standards. Provide guidance to improve proficiency in automation.
What you will do:
• Be a member of cross-disciplinary teams developing and improving manufacturing automation processes. Identify opportunities for cost saving or expanded automation capabilities.
• Help develop automation concepts and apply analytical techniques to support decision processes.
• Initiate, design, and develop automation strategies for new processes.
• Troubleshoot production problems in terms of automation as needed. Identify automation bottlenecks and quality issues. Identify potential design improvements and alternatives in terms of press/manufacturing automation.
• Collaborate with engineering department and automation team to enhance and debug processes, tooling, and new products.
• Support area as "Automation Molding Subject Matter Expert", who thoroughly knows equipment and processes as it relates to automation.
• Mentor and train Associate Mold Process Technicians and Mold Process Technicians on automation set-up, trouble shooting and creative automation solutions.
• Flexibility to change schedule hours and support off shift for automation evaluations and training mold techs
• Help to design and implement ergonomics solutions as part of the automation process
• Meet with the Shift Supervisor and other Process Technicians to discuss all issues relating to automation on the shop floor.
• Ensure presses are running correct cycle time and match what is documented.
• Perform thorough part inspections and make appropriate decisions relative to part quality requirements.
• Request, evaluate and monitor mold modifications and repair through the rework system.
• Build communication relationships with Build, Designers, Engineers, CSEs and Supervisors.
• In relation to Automation, ensure mold is set properly and document set-up
• Accurately record process specifications onto cycle sheets.
• Adhere to all quality and safety standards within the department.
• Maintain clean and organized work area with emphasis on safety, quality, efficiency, and utilization.
• Continually seek to improve work processes and individual performance.
• Develop, optimize (incorporating design of experiments), stabilize, and troubleshoot injection molding processes using a wide variety of engineered and commodity type resins on a wide range of injection molding machinery.
What it will take:
Education and Experience:
· Minimum 2-year technical degree or 4 years of equivalent experience in molding.
· 1 year experience in automation implementation experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
· Strong written and oral communication skills: able to communicate complex technical information to all levels of the organization, able to clearly present data in written and verbal form.
· Exhibit leadership skills that are consistent with Protolabs values – strong work ethics, technical knowledge, and employee oriented.
· Able to safely operate handheld and stationary power tools.
· Able to understand electrical-pneumatic components and schematics
· Able to understand ladder logic and or robotic programming language
· Able to use measuring instruments such as scales, calipers, dial indicators.
· Demonstrated ability to reduce cycle times, improving part quality and machine utilization in line with Protolabs objectives.
· Able to perform basic fabrication and assembly
· Able to work safely with sharp and heavy objects (e.g., utility knives, aluminum blocks).
· Able to use a computer and calculator. Able to read and write in English and do basic arithmetic.
· Able to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment.
· Must be punctual and have good attendance.
· In the subjective judgment of managers, supervisors, and master molders, the candidate must possess the temperament and depth and range of skills necessary to be successful in this position.
· Strong attention to detail and experience with managing project documents and producing quality content.
· Must be able to take initiative and work independently.
· Self-motivated and self-directed with high sense of urgency
· Able to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment.
· Strong time management skills with the ability to successfully perform within a project framework including defined deliverables and time frames.
· Concurrently solve immediate issues while maintaining a vision of the future