Job Description: Sheet Metal Bender / Press Brake Operator
Position Summary
The Sheet Metal Bender is responsible for setting up, operating, and maintaining press brake machines to bend, form, and shape sheet metal components according to precise engineering blueprints and specifications. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of metal properties, tooling selection, and precision measurement to produce high-quality parts efficiently and safely.
Key Responsibilities
Setup & Operation:
· Set up press brakes (both manual and CNC) for production runs, including selecting and installing appropriate punches, dies, and tooling.
· Interpret complex engineering drawings, blueprints, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) symbols to understand bend angles, dimensions, and sequence.
· Program CNC press brakes using control panels; enter data such as bend angle, tonnage, and back gauge position.
· Perform first-off inspections to ensure parts meet all quality standards before full production run.
· Operate machinery to bend, form, notch, punch, and shear sheet metal to specified dimensions.
Quality Control & Inspection:
· Use precision measuring instruments (e.g., calipers, micrometers, height gauges, protractors, radius gauges) to verify part dimensions and angles against specifications.
· Monitor production runs for consistency and quality, making necessary adjustments to the machine setup to maintain part integrity.
· Identify and report any non-conforming materials or parts to the supervisor.
Qualifications & Experience
Required:
· Experience (3-4 years) as a Press Brake Operator in a sheet metal fabrication environment.
· Familiarity with a wide range of metals (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, cold-rolled steel) and their bending characteristics.