Welding is a valuable skill in many industries. Gain hands-on training in welding by taking a class at your school or in your community.

Take a welding class.

Watch clips from "How It's Made" to see how objects like artificial limbs, nails, footballs, mustard, and more are made. Choose a few to watch--which one surprised you most?

Watch how the objects all around us are made.

Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic

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

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Second Interest High-Point

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Third Interest High-Point

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

First Interest High-Point

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Model Makers and Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic

Production Occupations

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers

Verify conformance of patterns or template dimensions to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, scales, and micrometers.

Set up and operate machine tools, such as milling machines, lathes, drill presses, and grinders, to machine castings or patterns.

Repair and rework templates and patterns.

Assemble pattern sections, using hand tools, bolts, screws, rivets, glue, or welding equipment.

Read and interpret blueprints or drawings of parts to be cast or patterns to be made, compute dimensions, and plan operational sequences.

Construct platforms, fixtures, and jigs for holding and placing patterns.

Clean and finish patterns or templates, using emery cloths, files, scrapers, and power grinders.

Mark identification numbers or symbols onto patterns or templates.

Program computerized numerical control machine tools.

Create computer models of patterns or parts, using modeling software.

Design and create templates, patterns, or coreboxes according to work orders, sample parts, or mockups.

Lay out and draw or scribe patterns onto material, using compasses, protractors, rulers, scribes, or other instruments.

Select pattern materials such as wood, resin, and fiberglass.

Apply plastic-impregnated fabrics or coats of sealing wax or lacquer to patterns used to produce plastic.

2/3 axis computer numerically controlled CNC milling machines

Bandsaws

Benchtop drill presses

Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic

Overview

Career

What Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic Do

Other Job Titles Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic

Overview

Career

What Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic Do

Other Job Titles Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic

Majors Related to Career

Related Careers

Related Leaders