Are you looking for a challenging yet rewarding career that allows you to utilize your skills to their fullest potential? Do you want to join a team of hardworking, enthusiastic and creative people and enjoy working with a company that recognizes and embraces diversity? Do you take pride working with a company that is committed to being a great corporate citizen and playing a role in producing the highest quality products and services?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then Pridgeon and Clay is the place for you…
Founded in 1948 by John Pridgeon and Donald Clay, we are one of the largest independent, value-added manufacturers and suppliers of automotive stamped and fine-blanked components in the United States.
The Die Technician/Tool & Die Repair works with die build or production teams to follow company designated processes to build, tryout, upkeep and maintain dies in an exemplary manner according to the company quality policies.
Qualified candidates will possess the following Minimum Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- Completion of an Associate’s Degree in Tooling & Manufacturing (or similar program) or completion of a college-based or apprenticeship-based Tool & Die or Technician program or certificate
- Ability to train, teach, and assess other Die Technician trainees in the Career Path program, working well and leading and mentoring in a team environment
- Experience in the prototype or tool & die trade, specifically making, repairing, setting up, troubleshooting and running dies
- Proven ability to work with progressive, transfer, compound, hand-feed, or feinblank dies.
- Skilled in machine shop and machining operations, including welding
- Proven ability to assist with managing projects and resources effectively, including detailed documentation on tooling issues and component prints
- Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
- Ability to pass written and practical tests to obtain company hi-lo and crane license
- Proven mechanical inclination, general math and manufacturing knowledge, and trouble-shooting skills through standardized assessments
- Computer literacy
- Ability to lift 50 pounds
- An excellent work record, including attendance
Essential Functions:
Standard Work:
- Complete necessary paperwork for die books, tool biographies, (and EAM, if applicable), and complete and ensure stock replenishments.
- Optimize and communicate knowledge base (including documenting die build and tool tryout issues, and ensuring CAD data and die books are updated) to enhance future die designs.
- Maintain proper inventory in, and organization of, the die sensor tool chest.
Record-Keeping/EAM:
- Maintain inventory and organization of all die detail components and sensors within defined inventory locations; receive, relocate, and issue components from defined inventory locations.
- Document hours and work activity daily in the record-keeping system—Electronic Asset Management (EAM)—using proper repair codes.
- Prioritize and organize die repairs, work orders, components, tracking, parts, and tooling information in data systems (Kanban, EAM, Jasper). Complete and submit Maintenance/Repair/Operations (MROs) to set up stock replenishments in EAM.
- Create die changeover instructions, die repairs, and end of run issues, ensuring CAD data and die books are updated, and Managers are notified of any issues. Ensure all instructions and documentation are saved electronically in the correct location.
Die Build/Tryout/Repair:
- Use stock lists generated by the die design team to ensure all die components are present, and if they are not, notify Manager or a lead Die Technician.
- Visually compare die components with CAD data to ensure accuracy, including heat-treating process (if necessary). Notify Manager or lead Die Technician of any heat treating and altering of any inaccurate die components.
- Drill, set, and attach the necessary parallels.
- Assemble, set, and dowel necessary die component details, drilling and mounting the blocks in the proper locations, ensuring trim steels, punches, and embosses are properly placed and meet tolerances.
- Assemble all remaining die component details from stock lists and notify Manager or lead Die Technician to verify that the timing is correct.
- Load dies with die springs and nitrogen cylinders.
- Perform die tryouts, including setting dies, clamping die bolsters, loading coils, and feeding coil stock. Ensure dies are built accurately (t-slots, cone locators), and shut heights and feed heights are correct. Create smart pac cams for feed rate, sprayer timing, sensor timing, shut height, and overloads. Alter servo transfer systems to set fingers or fine blanking presses, as needed. Notify a lead Die Technician of any component changes, including such items as ejector pins, screws, dowels, and stripper pads.
- Operate a variety of machine tools to spot, grind, and finish hardened mill blocks to verify specific dimensions, as well as build, assemble, install and adjust fingers in presses per design or instruction.
- Perform the duties needed to prepare to install sensors into dies and fingers, such as verify replacement is needed, retrieving and reviewing designs and diagrams to determine optimal placement and accessibility, and organizing and labeling wires, ensuring proper channels lead to sensors.
- Identify, select, install and replace sensors, guarding, and valves based on function, application, and information from diagrams. Ensure that sensors, wires, boxes on rails, valves, cylinders, and hoses are protected. Document items needed for installation, including sensor and pin location and work performed, via pictures, EAM, and sensor installation sheets.
- Wire, verify, and adjust sensors, valves, and cams (using tools such as SmartPac and sensor cart) for proper clearances and timing to ensure optimal performance (including die clearance and timing).
- Install, plumb, and secure sprayers and sprayer components in dies properly, as well as chutes, keeping clear of all moving parts (fingers, pads, incoming material, etc.).
- Work with press technicians and process engineers to verify that newly built dies are built accurately (t-slots, cone locators, trim steels, punches, and embosses are properly placed and meet tolerances), that shut heights and feed heights are correct, and that the dies are timed out properly. Notify the designer of any component changes, including such items as ejector pins, screws, dowels, and stripper pads.
- Perform the tasks needed to repair dies, including clean components, change out cracked or damaged tooling, sharpen and shim, weld, grind, cut hardened components, inspect and sharpen trims, punch, and die steels, polish forms, prep backup, and changeover tooling before it goes to the crib, and check parts on the fixture, and spot the detail back into a part or model of what the block shape should be.
- As necessary, program transfer systems to optimally transfer parts from station to station.
- Build, assemble, install and adjust fingers on die horses and in presses.
- Build and repair fabricated components using the MIG welder.
In return, Pridgeon and Clay will provide:
- A competitive total compensation including a comprehensive benefit plan with premium medical and prescription coverage starting at just $5.00 per week for employee coverage, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, and tuition reimbursement.
- A safe, team oriented work environment with a leadership team that treats you like family and values your input
- An opportunity to participate in shaping the success of the organization through continuous improvement and problem solving events
- A positive work/life balance
- An opportunity for career growth – Over 70% of our leaders have been promoted from within
