Tooling Technician

Department: Maintenance
Reports To: Maintenance Manager

Position Summary

The Tooling Technician is responsible for the installation, removal, setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting of extrusion tooling used in the manufacturing of HDPE pipe. This role ensures extrusion lines are properly equipped with the correct dies, mandrels, forming sleeves, and calibration equipment to meet production schedules and product specifications. The Tooling Technician plays a critical role in minimizing downtime during product changeovers and maintaining dimensional accuracy and surface quality of pipe products.

Key Responsibilities

Tooling Setup and Changeovers

• Perform tooling changeovers on HDPE pipe extrusion lines including dies, mandrels, breaker plates, forming sleeves, calibration sleeves, and related components.

• Safely remove, clean, inspect, and reinstall extrusion tooling according to production schedules.

• Ensure proper alignment and installation of tooling to maintain pipe concentricity and dimensional accuracy.

• Assist production during line startups after tooling changes.

Tooling Maintenance and Care

• Clean, inspect, and maintain extrusion dies and forming sleeves to ensure optimal performance.

• Identify wear, damage, or defects in tooling components and report issues to maintenance or engineering.

• Maintain proper storage and organization of tooling to prevent damage and improve changeover efficiency.

• Assist with preventative maintenance activities on extrusion tooling systems.

Production Support

• Work closely with operators and supervisors during product changeovers.

• Help troubleshoot dimensional issues such as wall thickness variation, ovality, or surface defects related to tooling.

• Monitor tooling performance during production runs and make adjustments when necessary.

Safety and Compliance

• Follow all plant safety procedures and lockout/tagout requirements during tooling changes.

• Use proper lifting equipment and safe handling practices for heavy tooling components.

• Maintain a clean and organized work area in accordance with 5S and housekeeping standards.

Documentation and Inventory

• Track tooling usage and condition.

• Assist in maintaining tooling inventory and identifying spare part requirements.

• Document tooling changes and maintenance activities when required.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Mechanical aptitude and experience working with industrial equipment.

• Ability to read and understand technical drawings and specifications.

• Familiarity with extrusion processes or plastic manufacturing preferred.

• Experience with hand tools, precision measuring instruments, and lifting equipment.

• Strong problem solving and troubleshooting abilities.

• Ability to work safely in a manufacturing environment.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in HDPE pipe extrusion or plastic extrusion manufacturing.

• Knowledge of die tooling, calibration systems, and vacuum tanks.

• Understanding of pipe dimensional tolerances and quality requirements.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and maneuver heavy tooling components.

• Frequent standing, bending, and climbing around extrusion equipment.

• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with heat, noise, and moving equipment.