Why be a fitter and turner

This engine was then used for many years as a duel-purpose power generator and waste heat generator to run a large community swimming pool complex. The exercise that follows shows just some of the knowledge and skills used by the trade in repairing a plant failure problem in our crankshaft grinding machine.

Yes, we even have to maintain our own machinery due to the high replacement cost, and often inferior, options. Industry maintenance requirements will continue as a high demand for skilled trades people whilst current technology exists. The machine below was manufactured in England in and was purchased in a worn condition from New Zealand in On arrival, the whole machine was reconditioned with the help of a very skilled tradesman who had escaped from Europe during the Hungarian crisis.

That part of Europe was well known for their toolmaking skills an off-shoot of the Fitter and Turner and Australia benefited as many migrants arrived in our country after the 2 nd world war.

But after twenty years of grinding crankshafts, the one-directional dog clutch had failed again. Pinion shaft assembly showing worn and replacement dog clutch. The above shaft assembly, shows the original pinion drive shaft with the bronze worm wheel at the right hand end, attached to it by cap-head screws not shown is the new steel clutch we made, then at the centre of the assembly is the worn clutch trying to engage with the mating clutch that is keyed to the pinion shaft.

The rotation motion is transferred from the pinion shaft to the worm gear when the toothed clutch is engaged. When not engaged, the worm gear rotates freely on the pinion shaft in a bath of oil. The above photo shows the pinion shaft, clutch, and worm gear, after repairs and during the assembly process.

Note the gear selector that slides the clutch in and out of drive for fast or slow speed. The pinion shaft, dog clutch, and worm gear assembly sits deep in the head stock below the main spindle shown above. Shown in the above is the fitting of the cover with the external oil filter for the oil pump system that protects this assembly.

The grinding process in this particular machine requires both a slow and a fast speed, and variable speed controls within that, to rotate the crankshaft during grinding.

The variable part of the design is achieved through a variable speed electric motor. The method of repair in was to machine off the worn bronze dog clutch from the worm drive shown here as a two piece assembly of bronze worm wheel and steel dog clutch secured together by cap-head screws.

The repair solution was to analyse why it failed, try to improve the design or material, and to repeat the repair done in But this time, we would give the experience to our apprentice under supervision to do the whole job. Step 1: Sketches had to be made by the apprentice as the head stock was pulled apart so that the assembly would be less of a problem.

Manufacturers rarely supply detailed maintenance drawings for major repairs. This is right across the industry. Intellectual property being protected? Notes were also made as the assembly came apart. He also learns to use our camera to record as he goes. He will use this same process as he strips engines down and rebuilds them after repairs.

Further, he learns that many mechanical systems, involving gearing, and precision components, follow similar designs. Also that machines use metric when designed in Europe, and imperial, when designed in U.

Fitters and Turners fit, assemble, grind and shape metal parts and subassemblies to fabricate production machines and other equipment. This course is often completed as part of an apprenticeship.

The number of Fitter and Turners fell over 5 years: from 11, in to 9, in They may not reflect the current jobs market and should be used and interpreted with caution. Share of workers across Australian States and Territories, in this job compared to the all jobs average. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job in any field of study.

Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job. Before starting a course, check it will provide you with the skills and qualifications you need. Employers look for Metal Fitters and Machinists who are reliable, flexible, adaptable and work well in a team. Materials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads. Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods. Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.

Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.

Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements like sick leave , and negotiating pay and conditions. Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change. Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work. Diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures. Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.

Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job. Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem. Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence e. Use your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.

Operating machines or processes either directly or using controls not including computers or vehicles. Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects. Running, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft. Detailing and describing how devices, parts or equipment are to be made, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time. Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.

Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important. All six values are shown below. Supportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.

Serve and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong. Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good. Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Work alone and make decisions.

Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision. Advancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community. Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.

Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules. Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.

Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business. Stable Future Growth What is future growth? Medium skill Skill level rating what are the different skill levels? Full-time workers usually work 35 hours or more a week in all their jobs combined. Specialisations: Fitter Armament Army. Studies drawings and specifications to determine suitable material, method and sequence of operations and machine settings.

Fits fabricated metal parts into products and assembles metal parts and sub-assemblies to produce machines and equipment. Free psychological tests 1,, taken last month. Fitters and turners use machine tools to create and modify metal parts according to set specifications in order to fit components for machinery.

They ensure the finished components are ready for assembly. Would you like to know what kind of career and professions suit you best? If you are interested, but do not know enough about this job, then this article is for you. Read on and find out if becoming a fitter and turner is the right job for you. A fitter and turner is responsible for studying blueprints, plans, and drawings to be able to construct, assemble, manufacture, and fit parts of machines.

This person is also responsible for maintaining and repairing different types of machinery. To become a fitter and turner, there are a few requirements that you need to meet. Then studying fitting and turning may be a good choice for you! You can obtain practical training from an accredited training institution, or you can complete your practical training under the supervision of a qualified tradesperson.

For theoretical training, you can enrol at a vocational college. Before you can become fully qualified as a fitter and turner, you may need to pass a Trade Test, which you can only do once you have completed appropriate theoretical and practical training. In addition , you need to consider training in first aid and workplace health and safety.