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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Aluminum Grinder Operator

💰 $18 - $26 / hour

ManufacturingFabricationProductionFinishing

🎯 Role Definition

The Aluminum Grinder Operator is a front-line manufacturing professional who prepares, grinds, deburrs, and finishes aluminum parts to meet engineering specifications and surface-finish requirements. This role operates bench grinders, die grinders, belt sanders and polishing equipment, interprets work orders and blueprints, inspects parts with precision measurement tools, and ensures consistent product quality while maintaining a safe and efficient production environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • General Machine Operator
  • Metal Fabricator / Assembler
  • Finishing or Deburring Technician

Advancement To:

  • Lead Grinder / Finishing Lead
  • Quality Inspector or Quality Technician
  • Finishing / Production Supervisor
  • CNC Operator or Machinist

Lateral Moves:

  • Welder / Fabrication Specialist
  • Press Operator
  • Electroplating or Surface Treatment Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Operate bench grinders, die grinders, angle grinders, belt sanders, buffing wheels and polishing motors to grind, deburr, blend, and finish aluminum castings, extrusions and fabricated parts to meet specified tolerances and surface finish standards.
  • Read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, work orders and surface finish symbols to determine grinding requirements, target dimensions and critical features for each aluminum component.
  • Remove flash, burrs, parting lines and excess material from cast or machined aluminum parts using hand tools and powered grinding equipment while preserving dimensional integrity.
  • Perform profile and dimensional grinding to bring components into tolerance using calipers, micrometers, height gauges and go/no-go gauges; document measurements and adjustments.
  • Set up and change abrasives, wheels, flap discs, belts and polishing compounds; select proper grit and wheel type based on aluminum alloy and finish specification.
  • Conduct first-article inspections and in-process quality checks to verify conformance to drawing dimensions, surface finish and aesthetic requirements; immediately report out-of-spec conditions.
  • Use polishing and buffing techniques to achieve specified mirror, satin or matte finishes on aluminum parts, controlling heat and material removal to avoid warpage or burn.
  • Deburr internal and external edges, holes and threaded areas using carbide burrs, pneumatic grinders and manual files, ensuring removal of sharp edges per safety and quality standards.
  • Maintain consistent cycle times and production throughput by prioritizing work, sequencing tasks, and minimizing rework through proactive quality checks.
  • Document production quantity, scrap, rework, tool usage and downtime in production logs or ERP/MRP systems as required by the supervisor.
  • Identify and segregate defective parts, tag non-conforming items and complete non-conformance reports; coordinate with quality and supervision for disposition.
  • Participate in root-cause problem solving and corrective actions when grinding or finishing defects are identified, implementing process changes to prevent recurrence.
  • Follow all safety procedures including proper PPE, lockout/tagout when performing wheel changes or maintenance, and safe handling of abrasives and chemical polishing compounds.
  • Inspect, clean, and perform basic preventive maintenance on grinders, polishers and sanding equipment, including wheel balancing, dressing, and belt alignment to sustain safe operation and finish quality.
  • Collaborate with machine operators, assemblers and inspectors to sequence operations for optimal flow and to ensure finished parts meet downstream assembly or finishing requirements.
  • Adhere to company environmental and waste handling standards for aluminum swarf, abrasive dust and polishing compounds, ensuring proper disposal and housekeeping.
  • Train and mentor junior grinders and temporary staff on grinding techniques, tool selection, inspection methods and safety best practices.
  • Adjust processes to accommodate multiple aluminum alloys and part geometries, recognizing differences in feed rates, grit selection and cooling requirements for each material.
  • Use hand tools, pneumatic tools and fixtures to secure parts for grinding and ensure consistent contact, minimizing vibration and achieving uniform surface profiles.
  • Communicate clearly with supervisors about tooling wear, supply needs, and production issues; escalate safety incidents and quality concerns immediately.
  • Maintain an organized, clean work area and ensure all guards and safety devices are in place before operating equipment.
  • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives such as 5S, Kaizen events and standard work documentation to improve finish quality, reduce cycle time and lower scrap rates.
  • Lift, move and position parts and tooling up to company-specified weight limits safely, using material-handling equipment when required.

Secondary Functions

  • Support inventory accuracy by notifying supervisors of low abrasive consumables, polishing compounds, and replacement wheels; assist in basic stock rotation.
  • Assist with departmental documentation updates including standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions and inspection checklists related to grinding and finishing operations.
  • Participate in safety and quality meetings, contribute observations and suggestions for hazard reduction and process control improvements.
  • Help coordinate with shipping and receiving to prioritize urgent orders and expedite finished goods when required.
  • Provide basic cross-training to adjacent production areas (e.g., deburring, finishing, assembly) to maintain workflow flexibility during high-demand periods.
  • Assist maintenance technicians during scheduled preventive maintenance or minor repairs by providing access, preliminary diagnostics or part removal as requested.
  • Support ad-hoc quality investigations by supplying sample parts, measurement records and process notes to quality engineers.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement projects by supplying operator-level input on tooling, fixturing and workstation ergonomics.
  • Participate in training and certification programs to maintain and improve skills in new grinding technologies and safety practices.
  • Complete production and quality paperwork, timecards and training records accurately and in a timely manner.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Bench grinder operation (manual and semi-automated)
  • Hand/die grinder and pneumatic tool proficiency
  • Belt sander, flap disc and polishing wheel selection and setup
  • Precision measurement: calipers, micrometers, height gauges, go/no-go gauges
  • Blueprint reading and interpretation of GD&T basics and surface finish symbols
  • Deburring techniques for holes, edges and threads using files and carbide burrs
  • Knowledge of aluminum alloys and how they respond to grinding, heat and polishing
  • Wheel dressing, abrasive selection (grit, type), and balancing
  • Basic preventive maintenance and equipment safety checks
  • Use of hand tools and fixturing to control part orientation and vibration
  • Familiarity with quality systems (inspection records, non-conformance reporting)
  • Experience with production documentation, job travelers or MRP/ERP systems
  • Safe handling and disposal of aluminum swarf, abrasives and polishing compounds
  • Basic understanding of lean manufacturing practices (5S, Kaizen) and continuous improvement

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and a commitment to delivering defect-free parts
  • Safety-first mindset with consistent adherence to PPE and lockout/tagout procedures
  • Good verbal and written communication with supervisors and quality teams
  • Team player who collaborates across production, maintenance and quality
  • Reliable and punctual with strong attendance and work ethic
  • Time management and prioritization under production schedules and deadlines
  • Problem-solving orientation with ability to escalate and document issues clearly
  • Adaptability to changing priorities, part mixes and finishing requirements
  • Patience and manual dexterity for precision hand-finishing tasks
  • Willingness to train and share knowledge with junior operators

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED

Preferred Education:

  • Vocational certificate or technical training in machining, metal finishing, or manufacturing technology
  • Safety training certifications such as OSHA 10 or equivalent

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Manufacturing Technology
  • Precision Machining / Machinist Apprenticeship
  • Metal Fabrication and Finishing
  • Industrial Maintenance Basics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1–5 years in grinding, deburring or finishing of metal components, preferably aluminum

Preferred:

  • 3+ years of hands-on aluminum grinding/finishing experience with demonstrated ability to hit dimensional and surface finish targets
  • Previous experience in a high-volume production environment, knowledge of quality inspection procedures and exposure to continuous improvement practices
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