This is skilled work at the journeyman level operating machine tools in the repair, fabrication and machining of rail vehicle machinery and equipment.

Employees in this class perform duties in precision turning, grinding, planning and shaping of metals, predominantly steel, copper and aluminum, to a very fine surface finish of twelve microinch and tolerances of .0002 inch. Responsibilities include setting up and operating heavy tracing lathes, a 40 inch Universal Boring Mill, a 400 ton hydraulic press, and other types of metal-working machines. Employees use independent judgment in determining work methods on particular assignments. Supervision is received from a maintenance superior who reviews work for satisfactory repair, fabrication and machining of rail vehicle machinery and equipment.

ILLUSTRATIVE TASKS

Sets up tracer lathes (up to 48 inch swing), boring mills (up to 48 inch), and high-tonnage presses for fabrication and assembly of vehicle parts; sets up pneumatic testers for testing overhauled pneumatic valves and actuators; sets up testers and calibrates hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical instruments; applies knowledges of materials, shop practices, shop mathematics, layout and machining processes.

Prepares orders, relevant data and graphs as required for critical components such as wheel assemblies and brake components; makes parts, tools and mechanical devices for experimental purposes, such as solving problems related to work-holding arrangements, materials, machine setting, tools and new parts testing.

Uses portable hardness tester to measure BHN and RHN of parts and materials such as steel wheels; does simple heat treatment of machined and worked parts; performs mechanical repairs and inspection of rail vehicle mechanical systems in accordance with specifications; sets up full-load testing of compressors and motors.

Verifies limits and fits with precision mechanical instruments, micrometers (hole type), dial indicators, oscillographs, and digital gauges; does calibration of pneumatic and hydraulic instruments with deadweight testers; positions and screws parts on surface plate/work table utilizing vises, V-blocks, and angle plates; uses hand tools such as files, scrapers and wrenches to fit and assemble parts to assemblies/mechanisms.

In repair shop, dismantles precision pneumatic valves and actuators, cleans and inspects parts, reassembles and does test coding with AB type testing racks; machines and undercuts small DC motor armatures; dismantles, cleans, inspects and refits compressor assemblies to tolerances in procedures; repairs and maintains, according to blueprints and other specifications, shop machinery and equipment; dismantles machinery, relines spindles, adjusts clutches and replaces worn parts; repairs broken parts using brazing, soldering and welding equipment; shrink-fits bushing, sleeves, rings, liners, gear and wheel to specified items using heating equipment.

Reads and interprets blueprints, sketches, complex procedures or other descriptive materials for parts to be fabricated, fitted and installed; assembles layouts in accordance with provided dimensions and tolerance, components to be fabricated/machined.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGES, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Considerable knowledge of machine shop practices and procedures, and precision measuring instruments.

Considerable knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions for all types of metal-working machines.

Knowledge of the operating characteristics and maintenance requirements of a wide variety of machine and hand tools.

Ability to read, interpret and use diagrams, sketches, blueprints and manufacturer's maintenance instructions.

Ability to efficiently use precision measuring instruments such as micrometers, calipers, height gauges, hardness testers, mechanical oscillographs.

Ability to develop parts from general descriptions or sketches.

Ability to troubleshoot and repair shop equipment.

Ability to work with limited supervision.

Ability to communicate effectively and produce simple written reports.

Ability to deal courteously with others, including machinery and vehicle equipment vendors.

Ability to work variable hours.

Skill in the machinist trade.

NEW 10-88