Purpose/Summary:

 A Surface Grinder Operator performs duties necessary to set up and operate precision surface grinding equipment to grind material according to customer specifications and blueprints. In addition to preparing orders according to specifications, a Surface Grinder Operator is responsible for proper machine set-up, wheel dressing, communication with proceeding shifts, and the safe operation and handling of material and equipment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with parts and material either by moving by hand or when necessary, using jib or overhead crane and/or forklift.
• Set up and operate manual or CNC surface grinding machines to grind steel plates and parts to specified thickness, parallelism, and surface finish requirements.
• Position and secure parts on magnetic chucks, vises, or fixtures to ensure proper alignment during grinding operations.
• Select and dress appropriate grinding wheels to achieve required tolerances and finishes.
• Read and interpret blueprints, work orders, and specifications to determine job requirements.
• Monitor grinding operations, adjusting feed rates and speeds to ensure proper material removal without overheating or warping parts.
• Measure and inspect parts to ensure compliance with customer specifications using high-precision measuring tools.
• Complete inspection reports after verifying dimensions, parallelism, and surface roughness of finished parts.
• Perform preventative maintenance as needed including (but not limited to) cleaning machines, balancing wheels, and maintaining coolant levels.
• Communicate effectively with team members and proceeding shifts regarding job status and any issues.
• Complete assigned duties in accordance with safety policies and practices. This includes regard for individual safety, the safety of other employees, and the safe use of equipment in the workplace.
• Wear approved personal protective equipment such as safety shoes, gloves, and safety glasses.
• Perform other duties as needed given by the supervisor, lead person, or management.

Working Conditions:

Working conditions may consist of loud noise, repetitive motions, airborne particles such as metal dust, chips, grinding debris, coolant mist, and exposure to moving machinery. Physical requirements include continual standing, walking, lifting, twisting with periodic bending, climbing, stooping, and crouching

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills:

• A minimum of one (1) year’s previous precision grinding or surface grinding experience in an industrial atmosphere is preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and understand tight tolerance specifications (e.g., +/- .0001).
• Ability to read and use precision measuring tools such as micrometers, calipers, dial indicators, and surface profilometers.
• Knowledge of grinding wheel types, grit sizes, and dressing procedures.
• Ability to safely operate overhead cranes and forklifts.
• Ability to perform math including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of fractions as well as converting fractions to decimals or vice versa.
• Ability to lift and move up to seventy-five pounds, as well as lift and move heavier objects with the assistance of cranes, forklifts, or another employee.
• Knowledge of general shop procedures and rules including safety precautions.
• Ability and willingness to cooperate with co-workers and work as part of a production team.

JSA (Job Safety Analysis) Surface Grinder Operator

Surface Grinder Operators will work in an indoor shop environment with moderate to high noise levels and exposure to grinding debris, coolant spray, and moving machinery. They will need to be able to lift, stand, bend, grasp, reach, and twist while standing for extended periods of time.

Risk factors for this job may include repetitive motions, awkward postures (leaning over the worktable), and moving heavy objects.

Main hazards include hands and fingers due to pinch points and rotating grinding wheels, as well as eye hazards from flying debris or wheel breakage. Additional hazards may include slips from coolant spills, noise hazards, and risks from improper lifting or mishandling equipment.

Preventive measures: using the proper PPE (safety glasses, shoes, hearing protection, etc.), ensuring machine guards are in place, using the right technique when moving/lifting objects, and being aware of surroundings.