What Do Metal and Plastic Model Makers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Metal and Plastic Model Makers set up and operate machines, such as lathes, milling and engraving machines, and jig borers to make working models of metal or plastic objects. Includes template makers. They also study blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine material dimensions, required equipment, and operations sequences.

Other tasks include:

• Inspect and test products to verify conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments or circuit testers.
• Drill, countersink, and ream holes in parts and assemblies for bolts, screws, and other fasteners, using power tools.
• Cut, shape, and form metal parts, using lathes, power saws, snips, power brakes and shears, files, and mallets.
• Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, drill presses, punch presses, or bandsaws, to fabricate prototypes or models.
• Devise and construct tools, dies, molds, jigs, and fixtures, or modify existing tools and equipment.
• Rework or alter component model or parts as required to ensure that products meet standards.

We asked Metal and Plastic Model Makers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

---

70% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 31% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Metal and Plastic Model Makers set up and operate machines, such as lathes, drill presses, punch presses, or bandsaws, to fabricate prototypes or models. They lay out and mark reference points and dimensions on materials, using measuring instruments and drawing or scribing tools.

A typical day for a Model Maker, Metal and Plastic will also include:

• Drill, countersink, and ream holes in parts and assemblies for bolts, screws, and other fasteners, using power tools.
• Devise and construct tools, dies, molds, jigs, and fixtures, or modify existing tools and equipment.
• Use computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacture (CAM) software or hardware to fabricate model parts.
• Study blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine material dimensions, required equipment, and operations sequences.
• Rework or alter component model or parts as required to ensure that products meet standards.

We asked some Metal and Plastic Model Makers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	23% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	26% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	59% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	6% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	17% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	14% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Metal and Plastic Model Makers also wire and solder electrical and electronic connections and components. They may also use computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacture (CAM) software or hardware to fabricate model parts.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Metal and Plastic Model Makers Assemble mechanical, electrical, and electronic components into models or prototypes, using hand tools, power tools, and fabricating machines. They might also Consult and confer with engineering personnel to discuss developmental problems and to recommend product modifications.

In addition, they Program computer numerical control (CNC) machines to fabricate model parts.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Align, fit, and join parts, using bolts and screws or by welding or gluing.

To some Metal and Plastic Model Makers, it is also their responsibility to Rework or alter component model or parts as required to ensure that products meet standards.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Model Maker, Metal and Plastic, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/production/metal-and-plastic-machine-workers.htm

http://www.fmanet.org/

http://www.amtonline.org/

http://www.ntma.org/