Press Brake Operation At Ajax

Learning to become a press brake operator is an important first step toward building a sheet metal fabrication career.

Press brakes are mainstays on metal forming plant floors. Press brakes bend sheet metal of many types and varieties into precise shapes specified by the customer. Accuracy, productivity, and operator safety are the most important aspects of press brake forming process.

Press brakes are among the larger and more powerful pieces of machinery on the plant floor. Press brakes form metal by clamping a workpiece between a tool and die combination that is fixed on a ram. The press applies pressure to the ram to bend the metal workpiece into the desired shape.

Press brake workpieces are often handled manually by the operator, so safe operation techniques are an important part of operator training. Operators who habitually apply good safety measures can easily avoid injury. PPE (personal protective equipment) for press brake operators include safety eyewear, ear plugs, steel-toe work boots with metatarsal shields, cut gloves, and arm guards.

There are several types of press brakes, including mechanical, hydraulic, and servo-electric presses. In a mechanical press, a rotating flywheel is driven by an electric motor. The operator engages and disengages a clutch that moves the ram up and down. Mechanical presses are both accurate and productive.

Hydraulic presses operate by applying a special fluid to large cylinders which are connected to a mechanism that move the ram. Hydraulic presses can be very powerful and can apply hundreds of tons of pressure to the workpiece.

Servo presses are a more modern, more advanced type of press. Servo presses use a special type of electric motor that receives real-time feedback from the work in progress to instantly adjust speed, torque, and ram position. For instance, a servo press can be programmed to descend the ram quickly at first, then slowly to “work” the metal into shape with multiple short strokes.

The servo press can also “dwell” on the workpiece, allowing it to settle in perfectly on the tool before the final metalforming steps occur. This adds greatly to the quality of the workpiece and also to the lifespan of the tool. Servo presses offer many advanced functions that make them a desirable addition to the metal forming plant floor.

The successful press operator at Ajax must be able to read and understand project specifications, use the computer interface, load materials, and, most importantly, ensure both safety and product quality.

Job responsibilities include:

• Establish and maintain a high level of machinery knowledge
• Form metal parts according to project specifications
• Track quantity and quality of work
• Prep parts for next production steps
• Ensure that the machinery is performing as intended
• Keep a clean, orderly work area
• Work safely and always wear personal protection equipment
• Take instruction from shift leads and more experienced operators
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisors

Requirements

• Good oral and written communication skills
• Ability to read and interpret project documentation
• Basic math skills
• Thorough understanding of the CNC process 
• Willing to learn new skills
• Ability to work well with others
• High School Diploma or GED
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds

Ajax provides clean, safe, air-conditioned workspaces for our valued colleagues in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Raleigh, North Carolina. Apply today and launch your manufacturing career at a recognized industry leader that’s been winning manufacturing awards for decades.

Overview of Benefits:

• • Annual bonus program
  • 50% match on weekly Health Savings Account contributions
  • Health insurance
  • $50,000 life insurance
  • 401(K) retirement savings
  • 3% Safe Harbor contribution
  • In-house training W/state-approved apprenticeship program
  • Veteran friendly
  • Climate-controlled environment
  • Accrued vacation plan
  • Education reimbursement W/earn while you learn
  • Open door policy
  • Continuous improvement program
  • Personal protection equipment provided at no cost,
    including new safety work boots
  • Optional dental plan
  • Short-term disability
  • Annual recognition awards