Toolmaker / Blanking Tool Fitter

SUMMARY:

Toolmaker – Blanking Tool Maintenance & Set-Up

Position: Toolmaker – Blanking Tool Maintenance & Set-Up
Location: Port Elizabeth
Employment Type: Permanent / Full-Time
Department: Press Shop / Tool Room
Reporting To: Tool Room Supervisor / Production Manager

POSITION INFO:
Our client is urgently seeking an experienced Toolmaker / Blanking Tool Fitter with a minimum of 5 years' experience in a press shop environment. The successful candidate will be responsible for the maintenance, repair, setting, and optimisation of blanking tools to ensure efficient production, excellent component quality, and minimal downtime.
This role requires a highly skilled individual with extensive knowledge of blanking dies, press tooling, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and precision fitting.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform routine maintenance on blanking tools and dies.
• Strip, inspect, repair, refurbish, and reassemble blanking tools.
• Set up and commission blanking tools for production.
• Diagnose and repair tooling faults to minimise production downtime.
• Regrind punches and die sections to restore cutting performance.
• Inspect tooling for wear, damage, burrs, chipping, and deformation.
• Maintain correct punch-to-die clearances according to material specifications.
• Replace worn or damaged components including:
  • Punches
  • Die inserts
  • Springs
  • Stripper plates
  • Guide pillars and bushes
  • Dowels and fasteners
• Carry out preventative maintenance schedules on all press tooling.
• Remove scrap, slugs, and debris from tooling during servicing.
• Lubricate tooling and ensure all moving components operate efficiently.
• Conduct trial runs after maintenance and verify tool performance.
• Ensure dimensional accuracy and cut-edge quality of stamped components.
• Work closely with production personnel to resolve tooling-related issues.
• Maintain tooling records and maintenance documentation.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations at all times.
• Recommend tooling improvements to increase efficiency and extend tool life.

Minimum Requirements

• Qualified Toolmaker / Tool & Die Maker (Trade Tested preferred).
• Minimum 5 years' experience maintaining and setting blanking tools in a high-volume press shop.
• Strong mechanical fitting and precision engineering skills.
• Experience working with eccentric, mechanical, or hydraulic presses.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and tooling layouts.
• Experience using precision measuring instruments including:
  • Vernier calipers
  • Micrometers
  • Dial indicators
  • Height gauges
• Experience with surface grinding and tool sharpening.
• Good understanding of sheet metal blanking processes.
• Welding experience for minor tooling repairs will be advantageous.
• Crane and forklift licence advantageous.

Knowledge & Technical Skills

• Blanking die maintenance
• Progressive and single-operation tooling
• Press tool set-up
• Precision fitting techniques
• Surface grinding
• Tool alignment
• Punch and die clearance calculations
• Tool fault diagnosis
• Preventative maintenance
• Hydraulic and mechanical press operation
• Engineering drawings interpretation
• Root cause analysis
• Quality control principles

Competencies

• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent problem-solving ability
• Ability to work under pressure
• Good communication skills
• Team player
• Self-motivated
• High level of workmanship
• Organised and methodical
• Safety conscious
• Reliable and dependable

Working Environment

• Manufacturing / Press Shop
• Tool Room
• Exposure to machinery, noise, and industrial equipment
• Overtime may be required to support production schedules

Salary

Market-related and negotiable depending on qualifications and experience.

Notice Period

Immediate availability or short notice period will be advantageous.

 

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