Job Description:

• 1) Sets up and operates one or more electrical-discharge machines to shape metal workpieces to specifications, following standard charts and manuals, and applying knowledge of electrical-discharge machining processes and methods, electric currents and circuitry, metal properties, and shop mathematics: Examines blueprint of product and plans operations.

• 2) Positions and secures workpiece on machine table with clamps, vise, or fixture.

• 3) Positions and secures electrode in holder on surface plate, verifying concentricity, alignment, and depth, using measuring instruments, such as calipers and dial indicators.

• 4) Mounts electrode and holder on machine spindle, using vernier dials on machine to verify alignment of electrode and workpiece.

• 5) Positions gauge blocks, dial indicator, and spindle stop on machine so that descending electrode will stop at specified depth when indicator feeler point touches gauge blocks.

• 6) Turns valve to adjust flow of dielectric coolant over electrode and workpiece or to immerse them in circulating bath.

• 7) Turns controls to adjust machine setting, such as voltage, current, frequency, and electrode feed rate, according to information on charts or knowledge of electrical discharge machining procedures.

• 8) Starts machine and observes beginning of operation.

• 9) May move controls to rotate electrode or workpiece.

• 10) May inspect completed workpiece visually and with templates and other measuring instruments.

• 11) May compute settings from specifications and knowledge of machine capacities.

• 12) May give TOOL MAKER specifications, such as allowances between blueprint dimensions and dimensions of electrode to be made.

• 13) Important variables may be indicated by trade names of machine used.