Utility Core Maker (Core Facility)

Precision Castparts Corp.; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Precision Castparts Corp. is seeking a skilled technician to fabricate ceramic cores using invested and high/low pressure injection methods. You will manage slurries, core processing, and coating steps, ensuring dimensional accuracy and process compliance.

Responsibilities include slurry testing, pattern assembly, wax shell building, drying, and firing, with emphasis on safety and documentation. On-site work with heavy equipment in a manufacturing setting.

Qualifications

• Experience with ceramics or investing preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret Process Control Procedures and Technical specs.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to maintain production flow and identify out-of-norm conditions.

Responsibilities

• Slurry Makeup and Testing: make slurries to specification, check pH, viscosity, temperature and gel times.
• Invested Core Processing: fabricate cores, assemble patterns, build wax shells, leach soluble from wax, ensure surface quality.
• High/Low Pressure Injection: operate machines, monitor temperature/pressure, manage materials stock.
• Plasma Spraying: set up spray unit, apply uniform coating thickness on cores.
• Firing: load/unload setters, operate furnace per instructions.
• Safety & Other Duties: follow safety rules, maintain logs, perform maintenance, ship products.

Skills

Reading specs

Independent work

Problem solving

Math skills

Tools

Dimensional measuring tools

High shear mixer

Thermometer

pH meter

Viscosity cup

Job description

To fabricate ceramic cores via low pressure injection, high pressure injection, and invested core processes; to work independently to assure smooth product flow through all aspects of core production.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITY:

Slurry Makeup and Testing

to make slurries within established process specifications.

• Essential Job Functions:
  • Many different slurries are used; checks pH, viscosity, temperature, and gel times, applies results to specification ranges and determines whether slurries are usable.
  • If needed, modifies slurries to bring into specification without altering slurry with respect to core requirements.
  • Records time, tracks work in progress.

Invested Core Processing

to fabricate acceptable ceramic cores by the Invested Core Process.

• Essential Job Functions:
  • Inspects soluble for defects; decides on usability.
  • Assembles soluble patterns which differ for each core configuration; helps develop new assemble techniques.
  • Builds wax shell of assembled pattern.
  • Leaches soluble from wax shell.
  • Builds alpha coated core, attending to surface quality, stucco and adhesion before next layer is applied.
  • Fills remaining cavity with core pack.
  • De-waxes in hot wax tank and fires in furnace.
  • Records time, tracks work in progress.

High Pressure Injection

to produce ceramic cores by high pressure injection molding.

• Essential Job Functions:
  • Operates high pressure machines per established process; monitors temperature and pressure.
  • Monitors inventory levels of high pressure ceramic mix and orders materials as needed.
  • Assists in the preparation of high-pressure ceramic mix.
  • Places green state cores in sand-filled trays, transports trays

Low Pressure Injection

to produce ceramic cores by low pressure slurry injection molding.

• Essential Job Functions:
  • Operates low pressure machines per established process specifications to produce cores of acceptable quality.
  • Removes binder by using either flaming, ovens or place under water as needed.
  • Records time; tracks work in progress; marks core I.D.

Plasma Spraying

to deposit a controlled thickness of a non-reactive coating material on the cores using plasma spraying.

• Essential Job Functions:
  • Sets up and operates plasma spray unit.
  • Applies uniform thickness by measuring cores before, during and after plasma spraying.

Setter Production

to fabricate setters used as a firing fixture which directly influence the dimensional acceptability of ceramic cores.

• Fabricates and reface setters by pouring slurry into mold cavity; removes binder; fires setters.

Core Repair

to repair ceramic cores after firing using established techniques.

• Essential Job Functions:
  • Inspects cores for surface defects, flash, positives and negatives, and air pockets.
  • Repairs identified defects using established techniques.

Firing

to fire ceramic cores in furnace to increase strength and gain dimensional stability.

• Essential Job Functions:
  • Loads and unloads setters and product per PCC specifications.
  • Sets up and operates furnace per instructions.

Safety

to take responsibility for and demonstrate safe work practices.

• Essential Job Functions:
  • Adheres to plant and department safety rules.
  • Safely operates all equipment and tools.
  • Identifies and reports safety problems.
  • Wears all personal protective equipment as necessary.
  • May be required to work with hazardous waste.

OTHER DUTIES

• Performs minor maintenance on equipment as needed.
• Packages and ships product.
• Performs material testing as required.
• Completes all logs and records.
• Meets all production and quality standards.
• Performs other tasks as directed.

ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT, VEHICLES, TOOLS AND/OR MACHINERY USED

• Basic hand tools (e.g. wrenches, sockets, hammers, etc.)
• Dimensional measuring tools (e.g. calipers, micrometers, gauges)
• high shear mixer
• thermometer, pH meter and viscosity cup
• slurry pots
• planetary mixer
• leach tank
• knives and files
• hot wax tanks
• pallet jacks
• hand grinders
• hand drills
• masonry band saws

TRAINING

• On the job training is provided.
• PCC's Forklift Driving Safety Certification Training must be completed.
• May be required to complete hazardous waste management training.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with ceramics or investing preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret Process Control Procedures, Technique Cards and other technical specifications.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to assess out-of-norm situations, institute corrective actions, and maintain production flow.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations. (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Physical ability to lift and push

This position requires use of information or access to production processes subject to national security controls under U.S. export control laws and regulations (including, but not limited to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR)). To comply with those regulations, this position may require applicants to be U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Company Profile

With more than 120 operations and approximately 20,000 employees worldwide, Precision Castparts Corp. is the market leader in manufacturing large, complex structural investment castings, airfoil castings, forged components, aerostructures and highly engineered, critical fasteners for aerospace applications. In addition, we are the leading producer of airfoil castings for the industrial gas turbine market. We also manufacture extruded seamless pipe, fittings, and forgings for power generation and oil & gas applications; commercial and military airframe aerostructures; and metal alloys and other materials for the casting and forging industries. With such critical applications, we insist on quality and dependability – not just in the materials and products we make, but in the people we recruit.

PCC is relentless in its dedication to being a high-quality, low-cost and on-time producer; delivering the highest value to its customers while continually pursuing strategic, profitable growth.

In 2016, Berkshire Hathaway, led by Chairman and CEO Warren E. Buffett, acquired Precision Castparts Corp.

Precision Castparts Corp. and its affiliates do not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Unsolicited resumes will become the property of Precision Castparts Corp & its affiliates, and no fee will be paid.

We are constantly searching for the best talent and offer excellent development programs for recent graduates as well as meaningful work experience for those still studying.