Punch Press Set Up

Express Employment Professionals - Cincinnati East; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 50,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Express Employment Professionals - Cincinnati East in Minneapolis, MN is seeking a Punch Press Setup Operator to support precision stamping operations. You will set up, adjust, and maintain punch press machines to produce high-quality metal stampings, working on 5–100 ton presses and performing related secondary operations as needed.

Schedule is Mon-Thu, 6AM–4:30PM with a pay range of $24.00-$28.00 per hour.

Qualifications

• Experience setting up and running punch presses, preferably in thin metal stamping or precision stamping.
• Ability to handle press tonnages from 5 to 100 tons.
• Mechanical aptitude with strong troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to read mechanical prints, GD&T, schematics, and tooling drawings.
• Familiarity with SPC, first article inspection and quality systems.
• Basic measuring skills (micrometers, calipers, height gauges, gage blocks).
• Strong attention to detail and teamwork.
• Ability to lift and handle tooling and dies up to safe limits.
• Willingness to work 4x10 hour days.

Responsibilities

• Read and interpret job orders, blueprints, and work instructions to determine required press setup (tooling, dies, blanks, fixtures)
• Install and secure tooling, dies, punches, and associated equipment on the press
• Perform logic checks, trial runs, and adjustments (strip layout, feed, alignment, clearances) to ensure the press produces parts within tolerances
• Monitor press performance (speed, stroke, load, scrap rate) during production runs
• Perform preventive maintenance, cleaning, and minor repairs to tooling, fixtures, and press components
• Diagnose and troubleshoot issues such as misfeeds, tool wear, burrs, jams, or defects
• Collaborate with quality/inspection team to verify first articles, perform in-process inspection, and maintain SPC records
• Maintain accurate setup logs, tool change records, time studies, and production reports
• Ensure all safety, housekeeping, and lockout/tagout procedures are followed
• Work with engineering or tool room staff to suggest and implement tooling improvements, cost reductions, or setup efficiency improvements

Skills

Punch press setup

Press operation

Mechanical aptitude

GD&T interpretation

SPC knowledge

First article inspection

Measuring with calipers

Team communication

Tooling handling

Safety procedures

Tools

Micrometers

Calipers

Height gauges

Gage blocks

Job description

Job Title: Punch Press Setup Operator

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Schedule: Monday-Thursday, 6AM - 4:30PM

Pay Range: $24.00 - $28.00/hr

About the Role

As a Punch Press Setup Operator, you will play a key role in our precision stamping operations. You’ll be responsible for setting up, adjusting, and maintaining punch press machines to produce high-quality metal stampings. This position directly impacts product quality, throughput, and cost control.

We specialize in thin metal stamping and precision parts, supporting industries such as aerospace, telecommunications, medical, and electronics. Our punch presses range from 5 to 100 tons, and we also perform secondary operations like EDM, drilling, countersinking, reaming, and detailed machining as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Read and interpret job orders, blueprints, and work instructions to determine required press setup (tooling, dies, blanks, fixtures)
• Install and secure tooling, dies, punches, and associated equipment on the press
• Perform logic checks, trial runs, and adjustments (strip layout, feed, alignment, clearances) to ensure the press produces parts within tolerances
• Monitor press performance (speed, stroke, load, scrap rate) during production runs
• Perform preventive maintenance, cleaning, and minor repairs to tooling, fixtures, and press components to keep them in good working condition
• Diagnose and troubleshoot issues such as misfeeds, tool wear, burrs, jams, or defects
• Collaborate with quality/inspection team to verify first articles, perform in-process inspection, and maintain SPC or other statistical process control records
• Maintain accurate setup logs, tool change records, time studies, and production reports
• Ensure all safety, housekeeping, and lockout/tagout procedures are followed
• Work with engineering or tool room staff to suggest and implement tooling improvements, cost reductions, or set up efficiency improvements

Qualifications & Skills

• Prior experience setting up and running punch presses (preferably in thin metal stamping or precision stamping)
• Ability to work with press tonnages in the 5 to 100 ton range
• Mechanical aptitude and strong troubleshooting ability
• Ability to interpret mechanical prints, GD&T, schematics, and tooling drawings
• Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC), first article inspection, and quality systems
• Basic measuring skills (micrometers, calipers, height gauges, gage blocks)
• Strong attention to detail, process discipline, and commitment to quality
• Good communication skills and ability to work on a team
• Ability to lift and handle tooling, parts, and die components (up to a safe working limit)
• Willingness to work 4 X 10 hour days per schedule

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