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Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic

Under the title Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic, workers lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates. O*NET rates it as medium preparation, which usually means one or two years of vocational training, an apprenticeship or an associate’s degree. It leans on operation and control, reading comprehension, and quality control analysis. One core duty is to read and interpret blueprints or drawings of parts to be cast or patterns to be made, compute dimensions, and plan operational sequences. With a code of RCA, this is mostly a job for people drawn to hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world. Conventional interests also help, rated 4.2 out of 7. If you want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, keep it on your list. If you need helping, teaching or caring for people, it may feel thin.

What they do

Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.

Main tasks

  • Read and interpret blueprints or drawings of parts to be cast or patterns to be made, compute dimensions, and plan operational sequences.
  • Verify conformance of patterns or template dimensions to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, scales, and micrometers.
  • Assemble pattern sections, using hand tools, bolts, screws, rivets, glue, or welding equipment.
  • Repair and rework templates and patterns.
  • Clean and finish patterns or templates, using emery cloths, files, scrapers, and power grinders.
  • Set up and operate machine tools, such as milling machines, lathes, drill presses, and grinders, to machine castings or patterns.

Skills

  • Operation and Control
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking
  • Time Management

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You are willing to put in a year or two of focused training.
  • You are comfortable relying on operation and control and reading comprehension.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You want helping people to be at the center of your work. Social rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You need to start within a few months, with no training period.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RCA takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Medium preparation. Expect vocational school, an apprenticeship, related experience or an associate’s degree, usually one or two years in total.

Also called

  • Die Cast Die Maker
  • Fixture Builder
  • Journeyman Patternmaker
  • Layout Technician (Layout Tech)
  • Metal Mold Maker

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.