Mechanical engineer - machine and device assembler

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Source: LEARNETIC SA, licencja: CC BY 4.0.
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A mechanical engineer and machine assembler is a very common profession in heavy industry. It involves production and use of machines, their assembly, checkup and repair during their operation. Since the engineering industry is a growing branch of the economy in our country, mechanical engineers can easily find employment, and qualified specialists are very sought after in the labour market.

A mechanical engineer and machine assembler can find employment in the machinery and processing industry as well as in the metal industry. Such employee is also needed in car factories, various types of production, agriculture, construction and other factories that operate in a continuous mode.

A person who would like to work in this profession should be inquisitive, reliable, patient and composed. The assembly of machines and devices, as well as starting them up them and the subsequent maintenance are duties requiring good visual‑motor coordination, ability to multitask, as well as good manual skills. Good communication skills and the ability to work in a team are also required. This profession involves cooperation with other employees, which is why it is so important to get on well with one another to share responsibilities properly. In this work, you should constantly develop your skills, learn about new machines and new technologies, because the market develops dynamically. The knowledge of technical drawing is also an asset. Interestingly, this profession is difficult to learn at school and it is best to take up an apprenticeship at an industrial plant and acquire knowledge by observing other employees.

Good health is required to work in the profession of a mechanical engineer and machine assembler. This occupation is not suitable for people with hearing and visual impairments, balance disorders and cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diseases.

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Machine tool operator

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The machine tool operator is one of those professions for which the demand is constantly growing. This is a well‑paid, challenging and rewarding job, especially when we see how individual parts made on a lathe or CNC milling machine become components of a larger working machinery.

This profession requires:

precision,

accuracy,

earnestness,

spatial intelligence and basic math skills.

Additional qualities desirable in a machine tool operator include:

patience,

perceptiveness,

technical skills.

The profession of a machine tool operator is considered to be a prospective one. Moreover, there's no indication whatsoever that the demand for parts and components made using lathes, milling machines, grinding machines or boring mills will decrease in the coming years or even decades. Recently, the Computerised Numerical Control milling machines have gained substantial recognition. The ability to operate CNC machines is a great advantage for every machine tool operator and a chance for secure and well‑paid job.

After acquiring the qualifications of a CNC machine tool operator, one can expect to find employment in companies managing machining, such as factories producing :

machinery and mechanical equipment,

construction machinery,

cars and tractors,

railway rolling stock,

steam, turbine and internal combustion engines,

helicopter and aircraft equipment,

hydraulic drives.

Machine tool operators can look forward to working not only in Poland but also abroad, for instance in Germany or Norway.

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Toolmaker

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The profession of a toolmaker is believed to have a long‑established tradition. In many families it has been passed down from generation to generation for several dozen or more years. Over the centuries, however, the profile of this profession has changed a lot. These days, toolmakers are hardly involved in mass production, since their work is limited to making unique details, machine elements or decorations, as well as servicing and repairing various mechanisms.

Having the qualifications of a toolmaker, it is possible to work in numerous places and in many industries. The most evident workplaces include:

locksmith's workshops,

housing administration bodies,

enterprises engaged in the repair of household appliances,

production facilities (e.g. steelworks).

In addition, there are many toolmakers working in the pharmaceutical industry where they are needed for the production and maintenance of die plates. What is more, well‑qualified toolmakers can seek employment both on the domestic and international labour markets. However, if one intends to workabroad, it's vital that they learn a foreign language first.

The following characteristics are required in order to become a toolmaker:

good visual and auditory coordination,

precision,

thoroughness,

patience,

technical interests,

perceptiveness,

technical imagination.

So what is it that toolmakers actually do? Their main responsibility comprises metal cold working, however unlike CNC machines operators or other digitally controlled equipment operators, they carry out about 80% of their work manually, which means that people with manual skills will find it much easier to prove themselves in this position.

Toolmakers usually work in workshops, with fieldwork being a rarity. The workshops are obliged to provide the employees with appropriate conditions and safe working environment. The employees themselves must perform the assigned tasks wearing safety glasses and appropriate hearing protectors, if necessary.

The most important tools used by toolmakers are grinding machines, files and burners. In addition, different types of measuring tools, drills and taps are used.

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Pipe assembler

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When choosing a vocation, the most important criteria to consider is usually the number of work vacancies in the job market and the earnings associated with the given job. With the qualifications of a pipe assembler, one can quickly find employment that comes with decent salary, but this is not the end of the advantages that this job has.

Among potential workplaces of a pipe assembler there are:

- companies that deal with installation, assembly, and maintenance of pipeline systems,

- open‑pit mines,

- underground mines,

- shipbuilding industry,

- power industry,

- housing industry,

- various types of industrial plants.

Assemblers of pipeline systems are not only in high demand in Poland, but also in foreign countries. However, anybody that would be interested in working abroad should know a foreign language.

A good pipe assembler should:

be physically fit,

have good auditory‑visual coordination,

have good manual dexterity,

have spatial imagination,

technical imagination,

have technical interests,

have the ability to concentrate,

be patient,

be perseverant,

be meticulous,

be perceptive.

Assemblers of pipeline systems work both in halls and in the field. In the latter case, they are often exposed to unfavourable weather conditions: very low or very high air temperature, strong wind, rain or snow. In addition, they often have to work at high altitudes or depths.

This profession might not be the easiest one, but it does bring a lot of satisfaction and allows one to develop their technical interests and is never monotonous. Fitting pipeline systems often means thinking out of the box, which is why this job can be a great fit for creative and ingenious people. What’s important, a pipe assembler is a professional that will continue to be in high demand in the nearest future. As long as there are new housing estates and buildings being built, and as long as industrial facilities and mines are operating, assemblers of pipeline systems won’t have any trouble with findin gemployment.

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Mechanical technician

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A candidate for the job of a mechanical technician needs to meet certain criteria such as technical and manual skills, dexterity, good eyesight and hearing, and eye‑head‑hand coordination. Another set of useful skills includes creativity, logical thinking or spatial imagination, which all significantly facilitate the work of a mechanical technician.

This profession is not available for those whose eye impairments cannot be corrected with eyeglasses, those with with poor hearing or movement disorders. Another contraindication is epilepsy or problems with balance.

The responsibilities of a  mechanical technician include:

-making parts of machines and devices

- assembly of machines and devices

- installation and start‑up of machines and devices

- operation machines and devices

- organisation of the production process

- running technical checkups

- drawing up operation and maintenance manuals

- maintenance of machines and devices

Other tasks of a mechanical technician include accepting machines and devices and their components for repair, planning repairs of machines and devices, supplying spare parts, propellants and lubricants. A mechanical technician also needs to select the right repair technology as well as perform maintenance and adjustment of machines and equipment during their operation and after repairs.

A mechanical technician can find employment in various places, such as manufacturing plants, craft workshops, companies producing technical equipment or service and repair facilities. They can also work as a machine maintenance technician.

There is no shortage of jobs in this profession, and wages are constantly growing. In addition, development opportunities are facilitated by the knowledge of foreign languages, enabling cooperation with foreign companies. If you are open to interdisciplinary knowledge in the fields of mechanics, electronics, control or software, it will facilitate your promotion to positions where other, new machines are used.