How to Be Plastic Fabrication Technician - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Dec 14, 2022 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The Plastic Fabrication Technician is responsible for producing a variety of products from plastic material. This requires an understanding of the properties of plastics, their manufacturing processes, and a range of tools and equipment. The Technician must also be able to read and interpret complex drawings, and have excellent attention to detail.

As a result of this expertise, the Plastic Fabrication Technician is able to produce high quality products that can be used in a variety of industries, such as automotive, aerospace, medical, and consumer products. Furthermore, the products produced by the Technician can help reduce production costs, increase efficiency, and improve customer satisfaction.

Steps How to Become

Earn a High School Diploma. The first step to becoming a Plastic Fabrication Technician is to earn a high school diploma. This will provide the foundational skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a career in the field.
Pursue Postsecondary Education. An associate degree or certificate program in plastic fabrication technology, manufacturing engineering technology, plastics engineering technology, or a related field can help students gain the skills and knowledge needed to become a Plastic Fabrication Technician.
Gain Work Experience. Although not always required, many employers prefer candidates with some work experience. Working in an entry-level position at a plastics fabrication facility can provide hands-on experience with the tools and techniques used in the field.
Get Certified. Becoming certified as a Plastic Fabrication Technician can demonstrate to employers that a candidate has the necessary knowledge and skills to perform in the role. Certification is available through organizations such as the American Plastics Council and the National Institute for Plastics Technology.
Obtain Industry-Specific Training. Depending on the specific job duties, employers may require technicians to have additional industry-specific training. This could include training in welding, machining, soldering, or other processes related to plastic fabrication.

Plastic fabrication technicians are essential members of the manufacturing workforce, responsible for producing plastic parts and components for a variety of products. To be an ideal and competent plastic fabrication technician, one must have a deep knowledge of the properties of different types of plastics, and be able to use a variety of tools and equipment to fabricate those plastics into the desired shape or form. Attention to detail is also critical, as small imperfections can have significant impacts on the quality of the finished product.

having strong problem-solving skills is important, as plastic fabrication technicians must often troubleshoot issues such as incorrect tolerances or material defects. Finally, excellent communication skills are essential, as plastic fabrication technicians must work closely with other members of the manufacturing team to ensure that projects are completed correctly and on time.

You may want to check Plastic Extrusion Operator, Plastic Injection Molding Technician, and Plastic Injection Molding Machine Operator for alternative.

Job Description

Set up and operate plastic fabrication machinery, such as routers, drills, saws, and grinders to fabricate parts from plastic materials.
Read and interpret blueprints and technical drawings to determine the dimensions of the parts to be fabricated.
Measure, cut, shape and assemble plastic components according to specifications.
Utilize a variety of hand and power tools to perform detailed assembly operations.
Operate equipment in a safe manner, following all safety protocols.
Inspect parts for accuracy and quality before assembly.
Troubleshoot mechanical problems on fabrication equipment.
Perform minor maintenance on plastic fabrication machinery and tools to ensure proper functioning.
Maintain cleanliness of work area and adhere to safety standards.
Keep accurate records of production data and enter information into computer systems.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of plastic materials and their properties
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and schematics
Ability to select, assemble and install plastic components
Proficiency in the use of hand and power tools
Familiarity with fabrication processes, such as sawing, drilling, tapping, milling and routing
Ability to measure, cut and shape plastic materials using precision measuring tools
Knowledge of plastic welding techniques, such as hot air welding, adhesive bonding, and solvent welding
Ability to troubleshoot problems during fabrication and installation
Attention to detail
Ability to work with minimal supervision
Excellent problem-solving skills
Good communication skills

The ability to think critically and solve problems is an essential skill for a Plastic Fabrication Technician. This is because their work involves manipulating materials, understanding their properties, and designing and constructing parts to meet customer specifications. In order to be successful in this role, technicians must be able to use their technical knowledge and problem-solving skills to troubleshoot issues, diagnose malfunctions, and create solutions in a timely manner.

They must also have excellent communication skills in order to effectively collaborate with other team members and ensure that the customer's expectations are met. the ability to read and interpret blueprints and drawings is another important skill for a Plastic Fabrication Technician, as it allows them to accurately create parts from these models. Finally, having familiarity with the various fabrication tools and machines used in the process is also important, as it ensures that the technician can safely and efficiently produce the desired product.

All of these skills combined make a Plastic Fabrication Technician an invaluable asset to any organization.

Plastic Artist, Plastic Film Processor, and Plastic Recycling Technician are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in plastic fabrication?
Describe a project that you have completed using plastic fabrication.
Explain the process of plastic fabrication from start to finish.
Tell us about a challenge you faced during a plastic fabrication project and how you overcame it.
What safety protocols do you follow when working with plastic fabrication tools and materials?
What tools and equipment are necessary for successful plastic fabrication?
What is your experience in reading and interpreting technical drawings?
How do you stay up-to-date on the latest developments in plastic fabrication?
What experience do you have working with different types of plastics?
Describe a situation where you had to troubleshoot a plastic fabrication issue.

Common Tools in Industry

Heat Gun. Used to heat and shape plastic materials (eg: for bending acrylic sheets).
Band Saw. Used to make straight or curved cuts in plastic materials. (eg: for cutting plastic tubes into desired shapes).
Router. Used to create detailed shapes and patterns in plastic materials. (eg: for carving intricate designs in acrylic sheets).
Drill Press. Used to drill precise holes in plastic materials. (eg: for making screw holes in plastic parts).
Sander. Used to smooth and refine the surface of plastic materials. (eg: for polishing plastic parts).
3D Printer. Used to create 3D objects from plastic materials. (eg: for printing custom-designed plastic parts).

Professional Organizations to Know

Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE)
Association of Plastics Processors (APP)
Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
American Plastics Council (APC)
International Association of Plastics Distributors (IAPD)
Plastics Industry Association (PIA)
American Chemistry Council (ACC)
National Tooling & Machining Association (NTMA)
National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS)
Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA)

We also have Plastics Technician, Plastic Finisher, and Plastics Quality Inspector jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Thermoforming. The process of heating a plastic material and then forming it into a desired shape with the use of a mold.
Injection Molding. A process of forming plastic parts by injecting molten plastic materials into a mold.
Extrusion. The process of pushing plastic material through a die to create parts or products with a specific shape and size.
Vacuum Forming. A type of thermoforming in which a vacuum is used to draw the heated plastic sheet onto the mold surface to form the desired shape.
CNC Machining. Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining is a manufacturing process that uses computer-controlled tools to cut and shape plastic materials into desired shapes and sizes.
CAD/CAM. Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) is used to create and modify 3D models of parts and components, as well as to produce prototype parts or final parts from plastic materials.
Welding. The process of joining two or more pieces of plastic material together using heat or pressure.
Finishing. The process of polishing or texturing the surface of a finished plastic product to achieve an attractive appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Plastic Fabrication Technician?

A Plastic Fabrication Technician is a skilled worker who specializes in creating and assembling plastic parts and components for various products and devices. They have expertise in cutting, joining and shaping plastic using specialized tools and equipment.

What type of qualifications do Plastic Fabrication Technicians need?

Plastic Fabrication Technicians typically need to have at least a high school diploma or GED, as well as vocational or trade school experience. Knowledge of math, science and ability to read technical drawings are important qualifications.

What type of tools and equipment do Plastic Fabrication Technicians typically use?

Plastic Fabrication Technicians typically use specialized tools such as routers, saws, heat guns, drills, grinders and welding equipment to shape and join plastic parts. They may also use computer-aided design software to create 3-D models and drawings.

What are some of the tasks a Plastic Fabrication Technician may be expected to perform?

A Plastic Fabrication Technician may be responsible for tasks such as operating machines to cut and shape plastic parts, joining plastic parts together with fasteners or adhesives, forming parts into specific shapes, inspecting parts for flaws or imperfections, welding parts together and completing assembly of products.

What safety precautions should a Plastic Fabrication Technician take?

A Plastic Fabrication Technician should always wear safety gear such as protective glasses, gloves and masks when operating machinery or working with chemicals or solvents. They should also be aware of potential hazards such as heat, noise and sharp edges and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.