How to become a Model Makers, Metal and Plastic 2024

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic 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.

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic is Also Know as

In different settings, Model Makers, Metal and Plastic is titled as

Metal Model Maker
Model Builder
Model Maker
Molding Technician
Pattern Finisher
Prototype Special Build

Education and Training of Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic is categorized in Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Experience Required for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Education Required for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Degrees Related to Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

Training Required for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Related Ocuupations

Some Ocuupations related to Model Makers, Metal and Plastic in different industries are

What Do Model Makers, Metal and Plastic do?

Study blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine material dimensions, required equipment, and operations sequences.
Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, drill presses, punch presses, or bandsaws, to fabricate prototypes or models.
Inspect and test products to verify conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments or circuit testers.
Cut, shape, and form metal parts, using lathes, power saws, snips, power brakes and shears, files, and mallets.
Lay out and mark reference points and dimensions on materials, using measuring instruments and drawing or scribing tools.
Drill, countersink, and ream holes in parts and assemblies for bolts, screws, and other fasteners, using power tools.
Grind, file, and sand parts to finished dimensions.
Record specifications, production operations, and final dimensions of models for use in establishing operating standards and procedures.
Rework or alter component model or parts as required to ensure that products meet standards.
Align, fit, and join parts, using bolts and screws or by welding or gluing.
Consult and confer with engineering personnel to discuss developmental problems and to recommend product modifications.
Assemble mechanical, electrical, and electronic components into models or prototypes, using hand tools, power tools, and fabricating machines.
Devise and construct tools, dies, molds, jigs, and fixtures, or modify existing tools and equipment.
Wire and solder electrical and electronic connections and components.
Program computer numerical control (CNC) machines to fabricate model parts.
Use computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software or hardware to fabricate model parts.

Qualities of Good Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

Near Vision: The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Visualization: The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Arm-Hand Steadiness: The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Reaction Time: The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
Manual Dexterity: The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Problem Sensitivity: The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
Control Precision: The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Oral Comprehension: The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Finger Dexterity: The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Information Ordering: The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Selective Attention: The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Multilimb Coordination: The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Trunk Strength: The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
Deductive Reasoning: The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Auditory Attention: The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
Oral Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Written Comprehension: The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Far Vision: The ability to see details at a distance.
Speech Recognition: The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Speech Clarity: The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Category Flexibility: The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Perceptual Speed: The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Flexibility of Closure: The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Inductive Reasoning: The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Written Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Depth Perception: The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
Rate Control: The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
Wrist-Finger Speed: The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
Static Strength: The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Response Orientation: The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.
Mathematical Reasoning: The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Speed of Closure: The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
Number Facility: The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
Originality: The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Dynamic Strength: The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.
Time Sharing: The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
Hearing Sensitivity: The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
Fluency of Ideas: The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Extent Flexibility: The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Stamina: The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.
Gross Body Coordination: The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together when the whole body is in motion.
Visual Color Discrimination: The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
Memorization: The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
Explosive Strength: The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping or sprinting), or to throw an object.
Gross Body Equilibrium: The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
Sound Localization: The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated.
Spatial Orientation: The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you.
Peripheral Vision: The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes are looking ahead.
Speed of Limb Movement: The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.
Night Vision: The ability to see under low-light conditions.
Dynamic Flexibility: The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Glare Sensitivity: The ability to see objects in the presence of a glare or bright lighting.

Tools Used by Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

Audio-oscillators
Bandsaws
Benchtop drill presses
Capacitance checkers
Chain hoists
Computer numerical control CNC routers
Computer numerical control CNC vertical machine centers
Digital calipers
Digital electrical frequency meters
Digital hardness testers
Digital integrated circuit testers
Digital oscilloscopes
Electrical discharge machines EDM
Electronic micrometers
Engraving machines
Flat smooth cut files
Fused deposition modeling FDM printers
Gas powered brazing equipment
Grease dispensing guns
Hand snips
Hydraulic punch presses
Jewelers lathes
Jig bores
Mallets
Manual lathes
Manual mills
Metal shears
Microsoldering equipment
Portable workshop cranes
Power brakes
Power grinding machines
Power saws
Scribing tools
Selective layered sintering SLS printers
Shadowgraph optical comparators
Signal generators
Soldering irons
Stereolithography SLA printers
Three-dimensional prototyping printers
Tungsten inert gas TIG welding equipment
Visual autocollimators
Volt-ohm meters VOM
Wheatstone bridges

Technology Skills required for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

CNC Software Mastercam
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Word
PTC Creo Parametric

US Universities

How to become Model Makers, Metal and Plastic in 2024