What is a Machine Assembler?
A machine assembler is someone who puts various parts together to make a finished product. They may use tools, machines, and their hands to make many things, such as engines, computers, aircraft, toys, electronic devices, and more.
What does a Machine Assembler do?
Machine assemblers have an important role in the manufacturing process, and encompass a full range of manufactured products. They assemble both finished products and the pieces that go into them.
Machine assemblers typically do the following:
- Read and understand detailed schematics and blueprints
- Use hand tools or machines to assemble parts
- Conduct quality control checks
- Work closely with designers and engineers in product development
Changes in technology have transformed the manufacturing and assembly process. Modern manufacturing systems use robots, computers, programmable motion-control devices, and various sensing technologies. These systems have changed the way in which goods are made and affected the jobs of those who make them. Advanced assemblers must be able to work with these new technologies and use them to produce goods.
The job of an assembler ranges from very easy to very complicated, requiring a range of knowledge and skills. Skilled assemblers putting together complex machines, for example, read detailed schematics or blueprints that show how to assemble the machine. After determining how parts should connect, they use hand or power tools to trim, shim, cut, and make other adjustments to fit components together and align them properly. Once the parts are properly aligned, they connect them with bolts and screws or weld or solder pieces together.
Quality control is important throughout the assembly process, so assemblers look for faulty components and mistakes in the assembly process. They help to fix problems before defective products are made.
Manufacturing techniques are moving away from traditional assembly line systems and towards lean manufacturing systems, which use teams of workers to produce entire products or components. Lean manufacturing has changed the nature of the assemblers' duties. It has become more common to involve machine assemblers in product development. Designers and engineers consult manufacturing workers during the design stage to improve product reliability and manufacturing efficiency. Some experienced assemblers work with designers and engineers to build prototypes or test products.
Although most machine assemblers are classified as team assemblers, others specialize in producing one type of product or do the same or similar tasks throughout the assembly process.
The following are types of machine assemblers:
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Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as wings, fuselage, landing gear, rigging and control equipment, or heating and ventilating systems.
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Coil winders, tapers, and finishers wind wire coils of electrical components used in a variety of electric and electronic products, including resistors, transformers, generators, and electric motors.
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Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers build products such as electric motors, computers, electronic control devices, and sensing equipment. Automated systems have been put in place because many small electronic parts are too small or fragile for human assembly. Much of the remaining work of electrical and electronic assemblers is done by hand during the small-scale production of electronic devices used in all types of aircraft, military systems, and medical equipment. Production by hand requires these workers to use devices such as soldering irons.
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Electromechanical equipment assemblers assemble and modify electromechanical devices such as household appliances, computer tomography scanners, or vending machines. The workers use a variety of tools, such as rulers, rivet guns, and soldering irons.
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Engine and machine assemblers construct, assemble, or rebuild engines, turbines, and machines used in automobiles, construction and mining equipment, and power generators.
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Structural metal fabricators and fitters cut, align, and fit together structural metal parts and may help weld or rivet the parts together.
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Fiberglass laminators and fabricators laminate layers of fiberglass on molds to form boat decks and hulls, bodies for golf carts, automobiles, or other products.
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Team assemblers work on an assembly line, but they rotate through different tasks rather than specializing in a single task. The team may decide how the work is assigned and how different tasks are done. Some aspects of lean production, such as rotating tasks and seeking worker input on improving the assembly process, are common to all assembly and fabrication occupations.
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Timing device assemblers, adjusters, and calibrators do precision assembling or adjust timing devices within very narrow tolerances.
What is the workplace of a Machine Assembler like?
Most machine assemblers work in manufacturing plants, and working conditions vary by plant and by industry. Many physically difficult tasks have been automated or made easier through the use of power tools, such as tightening massive bolts or moving heavy parts into position. Assembly work, however, may still involve long periods of standing or sitting. Although workers may come into contact with harmful chemicals or fumes, the work generally is not dangerous. Most work full time, and they often work evenings and weekends.
Machine Assemblers are also known as:
Aircraft Systems Assembler
Electronic Equipment Assembler
Electromechanical Equipment Assembler
Engine and Machine Assembler
Engine Assembler