Position Summary: Establish optimum injection molding processing parameters utilizing sound molding principles and systematic methods. Establish appropriate process monitoring set-points/tolerances. Assist Pliant tooling to improve and better production molds. Troubleshoot and resolve difficult molding quality and/or efficiency issues. Ensure basic elements of data control and records retention are consistently applied to processing parameters and injection molding machine (IMM) settings so that current processing information is readily accessible & understandable to personnel needing this information.
Preferred Education, Experience, and Personal Traits:
· Associate/Bachelor of Science Degree in Plastics Technology/Plastics Engineering Technology (or related courses in Plastics Technology, Injection Mold Design, and Manufacturing Processes) & 4 years experience.
· 5 years injection molding experience in a similar injection molding environment.
· Understanding of injection mold qualification and initial injection molding process development and validation,
· Demonstrated abilities in plastic processing control, improvement, debugging, & cycle time reduction.
· Understanding of and ability to effectively apply general molding concepts of non-Newtonian flow; pressure limited injection, and systematic de-coupled molding.
· Experience with and a sound understanding of the flow characteristics, molding parameters, & properties of various engineering/conventional grade resins common to the injection molding industry.
· Thorough understanding of IMM machine states, various types of IMM controllers, and process monitoring capabilities.
· Basic knowledge & understanding of injection mold design principles.
· Basic knowledge & understanding of automation, industrial robotics, & secondary operations common to the injection molding industry.
· Technical writing ability and good verbal communication skills.
· Computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel.
· Experience in group leadership and structured team approach to problem solving.
Essential Job Functions include, but not limited to, the following:
· Ability to troubleshoot injection molding processes using scientific and data-driven methods.
· Good problem-solving skills.
· Maintain safe working environment by ensuring the company’s procedures and policies are followed.
· Be willing and able to do everything outlined in the essential job functions for the molder position whenever required by their supervisor.
· Be able to teach and train operators and molders as needed.
· Utilize Plex to accurately account for and track proper status and proper disposition of materials.
· Track and improve cycle time improvements.
· Effectively be able to evaluate and troubleshoot processes to reduce scrap and cycle times.
· Respond to machine alarms and efficiently resolve/root cause those issues to keep the presses running.
· Work on assorted improvement projects including but not limited to: scrap reduction, process improvements, cycle time reductions, operator efficiency improvements, cost reductions, safety improvements or QIOR resolution.
· Audit processes to the KPP to ensure accuracy.
· Ensure part weights and cycle times are accurate to the KPP.
· Own and resolve process-related work orders.
· Ability to safely operate a hi-lo and a crane.
· Additional functions not specifically outlined in this position description as assigned by the supervisor.
· Ensure compliance with Pliant’s environmental management system and look for opportunities to reduce our impact on the environment.·
Basic knowledge & understanding of injection mold design principles
· Basic knowledge & understanding of automation, industrial robotics, & secondary operations common to the injection molding industry.
· Experience with and a sound understanding of the flow characteristics, molding parameters, & properties of various engineering/conventional grade resins common to the injection molding industry.
· Demonstrated analytical & mechanical abilities.
· Demonstrated ability to perform basic math calculations pertinent to injection molding process & tool design (mold types, heat transfer, runner & gate design, venting, mold components, & materials).
· Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and application of statistical process control.
· Perform part sampling on production molds as needed for material samples or problem solving activities, in accordance with specified instructions. Record process parameters, lessons learned, and any part, mold, or process problems encountered in this sampling process.
· Develop key molding process parameters for existing and new products & tooling utilizing a systematic method to determine the optimum material conditions (temperature, flow rate, pressures, cooling rate/time, etc.) using proven and universally accepted injection molding principles.
· Develop robot program during tool maturation process. Verify effectiveness of EOAT, recommend / perform modifications if necessary for EOAT / robot program to be robust for production.
· Identify, communicate, and help resolve issues identified during launch process including but not limited to tooling, injection molding process, robot program, EOAT, cell layout, and part quality to ensure the manufacturing processes are cable to support production.
· Establish initial injection molding machine (IMM) settings necessary to achieve key processing parameters.
· Establish appropriate process monitor set points and tolerances necessary for control/detection of machine conditions leading to part defects and/or equipment damage.
· Document and preserve key processing parameters, IMM settings, and electronic data associated with established molding processes and process monitoring.
· Train molders and Process Technician I’s to understand, measure, & use the key processing parameters and injection molding principles (“rules of thumb”) to transfer, troubleshoot, and make minor adjustments to the injection molding process in a controlled, systematic and logical manner.
· Verify adequacy of injection molding machine clamp, injection pressure & process monitoring capabilities of various IMMs in relationship to part/tool design and quality constraints.
· Perform tool qualification for repaired or reworked injection molds. Recommend, initiate & coordinate mold design improvements and repairs using data and part driven solutions with Pliant Tooling.
· Assess existing injection molding processes & identify production process improvement opportunities – appropriately control, implement & document process changes necessary to enhance effectiveness and efficiency.
· Use statistical data collection to monitor machine and process performance.
· Provide technical support to Manufacturing by assisting molders with root cause analysis and corrective actions.
· Support new mold sampling demands as needed to meet urgent customer requirements or fill in for absence personnel.
· Focus on cycle time improvements, scrap reduction, and “best” manufacturing practices, including QMC and Lean methods.
· Mentor the mold set-up team and Process Technician 1’s by encouraging them to continue gaining knowledge and learning new skills to make their jobs easier and flow better (work smarter, not harder). Pass on knowledge to help prepare them for future promotion(s) within Pliant.
· Ensure compliance with Pliant’s environmental management system and look for opportunities to reduce our impact on the environment.
· Perform mold changes as production demands.
· Additional functions not specifically outlined in this position description as assigned by the supervisor.
Mechanicals: (equipment operation or physical dexterity required for the position) - Production machinery and auxiliary equipment, hand tools, keyboard. Full use and range of movement of wrists, hands and arms.
Work Environment: Light industrial factory floor environment, light to moderate plastic dust, moderate noise
Core Values: Respectful, Integrity, Teamwork and Excellence. All Pliant team members are required to model these core values in all areas of communication and performance on a consistent basis.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $22.00 - $36.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) 3% Match
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Referral program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
