Centerless Grinder Setup Technician

New Hampshire Ball Bearings, Inc. (NHBB); Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

New Hampshire Ball Bearings, Inc. (NHBB) in the United States seeks an experienced thru-feed centerless grinding setup technician to produce precision bearing components to tight dimensions and finish.

You will own setups end-to-end, from first piece to production runs, and support operations in the centerless department. You will set up and operate centerless grinders, balance wheels, adjust tooling, and inspect parts with micrometers and gauges to ensure quality.

Qualifications

• HS Diploma or equivalent GD
• 3+ years centerless grinding setup experience including thru-feed grinding
• Ability to hand-feed a continuous column of parts at a constant rate

Responsibilities

• Set up thru-feed centerless grinders on short or long run work to exacting size, finish and roundness
• Push parts into grinder at a steady rate to maintain through-feed
• Follow procedures to ensure parts meet drawings and process requirements
• Mount and balance wheels; replace tooling; adjust machines as needed
• Use micrometers and gauges to set up equipment and inspect work
• Diagnose grinding difficulties and maintain records
• Perform changeovers and document setup parameters
• Train operators on machine operation and gauging
• Maintain clean, safe work area in compliance with OSHA

Skills

Read and interpret instructions

Basic math

GD&T knowledge

Shop math

Tight tolerances ±0.0001"

Quality standards

Record keeping

Clear communication

Education

HS Diploma or GED

3+ years centerless grinding setup experience

Tools

Centerless Grinder

OD/ID Grinding Machine

Job description

Efficiently sets up and operates through-feed centerless grinding equipment to produce precision bearing components to specified dimension and characteristics according to quality standards. Owns each setup from first piece to production runs and supports operations in the side lap and centerless department.

Operates machinery or utilizes equipment to produce components to specified dimensions and characteristics according to quality standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Set up thru-feed centerless grinders on short or long run work to exacting size, roundness and finish specifications, including work blade height, regulating wheel angle and speed, and guide/fence alignment.
• Critical running step – manual part feeding: Push parts into the grinder at a steady, controlled rate to maintain a constant through-feed. Keep parts butted end-to-end with no separation or gaps and never push faster than the machine's set thru-feed rate.
• Follow established procedures, verbal instructions, and information from set-up cards and layout sheets (certified process or engineered cycles) to ensure parts are manufactured per process and drawing requirements.
• Mount, balance and dress grinding and regulating wheels; replace worn tooling and adjust machines as needed.
• Use micrometers, microscope OD dial gages and a variety of fixed and adjustable gages to set up equipment and inspect work. Review calibration of all measuring equipment.
• Diagnose and correct grinding difficulties such as chatter, burn, lobing, taper, feed marks and size drift; maintain required records; detect and report unusual conditions to the assigned leader.
• Perform changeovers efficiently and document setup parameters for repeatable setups.
• Train and support operators on machine operation, gauging and wheel changes.
• Keep work area clean and orderly, observing all safety rules and regulations and conforming to OSHA regulations.
• Move materials, parts, and containers as required to complete job duties.
• Operate required machines or equipment to produce a diversified range of parts on short or long run work, and exacting finish specifications. Follow established procedures, verbal instructions, and information obtained from set-up cards and layout sheets (certified process or engineered cycles) to ensure parts are manufactured as ordered.
• Set up machinery or equipment to perform job tasks, including adding or removing parts, to create the correct tool to manufacture the parts in accordance with the Shop Order. Use micrometers, verniers, optical comparator, microscope, and a variety of fixed and adjustable gauges to set-up equipment and check work.
• Diagnose and correct operating difficulties, maintain required records, detect and report unusual conditions to assigned leader.
• Keep work area clean and orderly, observing all safety rules and regulations, and conforming to OSHA regulations.
• Move materials, parts, and containers, as required, to complete job duties.

Job Skills & Abilities

• Read, reference and interpret written and verbal instructions; always following established standard procedures
• Perform basic mathematical calculation, maintain an understanding of standard and metric system.
• Working knowledge of GD&T: Roundness and RA.
• Perform shop math and maintain and understanding of standard and metric systems.
• Independently set up and hold tolerances of ±0.0001\" (2.5 µm) or tighter on size and roundness.
• Maintain established production levels and quality standards
• Recognize and report any irregularities as to fits, defective parts, finishes, work techniques and/or quality of workmanship
• Maintain necessary records; work is subject to audited inspections
• Communicate clearly and train others.

Education and Experience

• HS Diploma or equivalent GED.
• 3+ years of hands-on centerless grinding setup experience; thru-feed grinding required.
• Proven ability to hand-feed a continuous column of parts at a constant thru-feed rate with no separation and without over-pushing.
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose and correct the through-feed geometry, surface, operational and manual-feeding problems such as: out of round, taper, barrel or hourglass shape, size variation or drift, chatter marks, burn or discoloration

Preferred

• Setup experience on Nissin centerless grinders.
• Experience grinding precision bearing components such as rings, rollers or pins.
• Vocational or technical certificate in machining or grinding.
• Experience setting work center height, blade top angle and regulating wheel inclination to prevent lobing and control through-feed rate.
• Experience using structured centerless troubleshooting methods or references

Physical Requirements

• May include: standing, walking, bending, reaching, grabbing, twisting, carrying, pushing and pulling.
• Must be able to lift up to 40lbs.

Disclaimer: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time. The job description does not constitute a contract of employment and the Company may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time. The above lists all of the essential functions, education, experience, skills and abilities required. Employees must also demonstrate good interpersonal skills, attitude and professionalism, acceptable attendance and work behaviors.

NHBB is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

You Should Be Proficient In

• Aerospace Manufacturing
• Machine Setups for Production Runs
• Experience in a Manufacturing Environment
• centerless grinder setup technician

Machines & Technologies You'll Use

• Centerless Grinder
• OD/ID Grinding Machine