Job Description:

• 1) Sets up and operates thermal cutting machines which cut metal plates and structural shapes to dimensions, contour, and bevel specified by blueprints, layout, work orders, and templates: Lifts, positions, and clamps metal stock onto bed of machine.

• 2) Connects hoses from torch to regulator valves and cylinders of oxygen and fuel gas, such as acetylene, hydrogen, or propane.

• 3) Selects torch tip and computes gas pressure and mixture, and speed of cut, according to type and thickness of metal, data charts, or record of previous cuts.

• 4) Installs tip to torch.

• 5) Pushes button to adjust sliding arm from side or overhead carriage to position torch over cutting line, and to adjust height of head over workpiece to make longitudinal cuts.

• 6) Adjusts length of radial arm to cut out arcs or circles.

• 7) Tilts angle of torch to cut bevels.

• 8) Pushes buttons and reads gauges to obtain selected gas pressure and mixture and set speed of cutting action.

• 9) Pushes button to automatically light torch, preheat metal to oxidizing temperature, and open valve to release additional oxygen to cut through metal.

• 10) Pushes button to automatically position torch at cutting line and to start machine moving along line.

• 11) May maintain records of operating data.

• 12) May lay out cutting lines, using rule, tape, and square.

• 13) May preheat metal to remove surface impurities, using hand torch.

• 14) May clamp two or more plates together for simultaneous cutting.

• 15) May be designated according to equipment used as Electronic-Eye-Thermal-Cutting-Machine Operator; Magnetic-Thermal-Cutting-Machine Operator; Thermal-Cutting-Tracer-Machine Operator; Track-Template-Thermal-Cutting-Machine Operator; Plasma-Cutting-Machine Operator.