Fabricantes de equipos

Horario de trabajo

• Equipment Fabricators work full-time jobs, typically with nights, weekends, and holidays off, though overtime may be occasionally needed to stay on schedule. 

Tareas típicas

• Meet with managers or clients to review their requirements for fabricated equipment
• Brainstorm ideas for what such equipment might look like, its features, and the estimated cost of production
  • If multiple pieces of equipment are needed, review manufacturing procedures and costs
• Create or review written descriptions or sketches, blueprints, technical drawings, etc.
• Agree upon the terms of work, including timelines and budgets
• Collaborate with team members, including engineers or consultants, as needed
• Request the equipment, tools, and raw materials necessary to begin work
• Use hand tools and operate machines to fabricate workpieces. Assemble parts when ready
• Mark cutting lines on materials; check to ensure pieces are securely fitted and aligned 
• Examine parts or final products for quality assurance
• Conduct stress tests and troubleshoot prototypes to ensure proper functioning before submitting them for review
• Garner feedback and make adjustments 

Responsabilidades adicionales

• Attend equipment/product development meetings
• Adhere to safety standards and guidelines
• Create detailed reports of all work
• Write or help write operation manuals for new equipment
• Stay up-to-date on applicable software and technical manuals 
• Train and mentor new fabricators, machinists, operators, technologists, and technicians, as needed
• Mantener limpias las áreas de trabajo y realizar el mantenimiento rutinario de las máquinas

Habilidades blandas

• Alerta
• Analítica
• Cauteloso
• Habilidades de comunicación
• Orientado al cumplimiento
• Pensamiento crítico
• Orientado al detalle
• Disciplina
• Independiente 
• Objetivo
• Organizado
• Paciente 
• Planificación y organización
• Resolución de problemas
• Safety-consciousness
• Buen juicio 
• Resistencia
• Trabajo en equipo
• Gestión del tiempo 

Habilidades técnicas

• Lectura de planos
• Welding/metalwork
• Machining and machinist programs such as Armchair Machinist and Machinists’ Calculator
• Programas de diseño asistido por ordenador como Autodesk AutoCAD, CATIA, PTC Creo Parametricy SolidCAM
• Software de fabricación asistida por ordenador como Autodesk Fusion 360 y CNC Mastercam
• Software de control industrial como EditCNC o Mazak Mazatrol
• Programas de gestión de procedimientos como Hexagon Metrology PC-DMIS
• Precision measurement tools (calipers, micrometers, and gauges)
• Knowledge of materials and their properties (including various types of metal and metal alloys such as steel, brass, aluminum, copper, zinc, lead, vanadium, and manganese)
• Familiarity with tools and equipment such as welding machines, shears, presses, grinders, CNC machines, lasers, plasma cutters, waterjets, measuring instruments, and safety gear
• Familiaridad con los sistemas hidráulicos, el cableado eléctrico, los lubricantes y las baterías
• Safety procedures and first aid

• Aerospace industry
• Agribusiness
• Industria del automóvil
• Computer and electronic product manufacturing
• Empresas de construcción
• Food processing industry
• Fabricación de maquinaria
• Oil and gas companies
• Renewable energy sector
• Investigación y desarrollo 
• Temporary help services
• Fabricación de equipos de transporte

Equipment fabricators must maintain high levels of precision and deliver quality prototypes and finished products that meet their employer’s or client’s expectations. Work must be done safely, within established timeframes and budgets, and in compliance with applicable industry standards. 

These numerous demands put a lot of pressure on fabricators, whose work is heavily scrutinized. When things get behind schedule, they may have to put in extra hours to catch up. It’s a physically demanding job, involving lifting, prolonged standing, and exposure to various hazards—all of which can take a toll over time.

Trends in the field of equipment fabrication include the rise of Industry 4.0, which uses technologies like automation, artificial intelligence, Cyber-Physical Systems, cloud computing, 3D printing, and the Internet of Things to improve efficiency and productivity. 

For equipment that will be mass-produced, the Industrial Internet of Things enables manufacturers to connect machines, devices, and sensors to the Internet. This allows real-time data collection, helping to optimize operations. Sustainable Manufacturing is another growing trend, as companies seek to reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, and utilize renewable resources. However, this may be less important for customized equipment that will only be made once or a few times. 

Equipment Fabricators enjoy visualizing ideas and using their hands to bring them to life. They are comfortable using tools and stationary heavy equipment. They might have enjoyed math and shop classes in school, as well as design and computer programming. 

For them, it’s easy to collaborate but they don’t mind working alone for long periods where they can focus on the task at hand. They might have been highly independent growing up, and thus feel right at home completing projects without a ton of interaction with others.