cutting technologies
The variety of cutting technologies, such as software or mechanics, guiding cutting processes through lasering, sawing, milling etc.
digital
Sawmill operators work with automated lumber mill equipment which saws timber into rough lumber. They also handle various sawing machines which further process the lumber in various shapes and sizes. These processes are nowadays often computer controlled.
Competences and skills
47 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 4 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Cross-sector
4 competencestypes of wood
Types of wood, such as birch, pine, poplar, mahogany, maple and tulipwood.
green
wood cuts
Different ways of cutting wood, across the grain or parallel with it, and radial or tangential to the core. The behaviour of cuts of wood under different circumstances and the optimal cut for a given purpose. Influence of special attributes of the wood, like knots or defects.
woodworking processes
Steps in the processing of wood for the manufacturing of wooden articles and types of machines used for these processes such as drying, shaping, assembling and surface finishing.
Essential skills and competences 17 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
1 competenceadjust cut sizes
Adjust cut sizes and depths of cutting tools. Adjust heights of worktables and machine-arms.
Cross-sector
16 competencescreate cutting plan
Draw up plans to show how the material will be cut into functional pieces to minimise loss of material.
dispose of cutting waste material
Dispose of possibly hazardous waste material created in the cutting process, such as swarf, scrap and slugs, sort according to regulations, and clean up workplace.
ensure conformity to specifications
Ensure that the assembled products are conform to the specifications given.
ensure equipment availability
Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.
handle timber
Identify the main types of timber and timber-based products to be received at a company. Stack and store timber and timber-based products safely and in compliance with company procedures.
keep sawing equipment in good condition
Make sure sawing equipment is always in good and safe working condition. Inspect the equipment for defects. Replace defective or worn-out elements in accordance with guidelines. Store elements safely when not in use. Notify the responsible party in case of large or dangerous defects.
manipulate wood
Manipulate the properties, shape and size of wood.
monitor automated machines
Continuously check up on the automated machine's set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.
digital
operate wood sawing equipment
Operate various machinery and equipment to cut wood in different sizes and shapes.
perform test run
Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
remove inadequate workpieces
Evaluate which deficient processed workpieces do not meet the set-up standard and should be removed and sort the waste according to regulations.
remove processed workpiece
Remove individual workpieces after processing, from the manufacturing machine or the machine tool. In case of a conveyor belt this involves quick, continuous movement.
supply machine
Ensure the machine is fed the necessary and adequate materials and control the placement or automatic feed and retrieval of work pieces in the machines or machine tools on the production line.
troubleshoot
Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
wear appropriate protective gear
Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
work safely with machines
Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.
- Scope note
- Includes more generally used small electrical and mechanical tools like drills, manual sawing machines, washing machines, sewing machines, etc. that are also used in non professional environment.
Optional knowledge 7 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
3 competencessawing techniques
Various sawing techniques for using manual as well as electric saws.
types of crosscut saws
Be acquainted with the use of different kinds of crosscut saws, which consist mainly of felling and bucking saws.
types of table saws
The different types of table saws, such as benchtop table saws, contractor table saws, cabinet table saws, and hybrid table saws.
Cross-sector
4 competencesfirst aid
The emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.
mechanical systems
Mechanical systems, including gears, engines, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Their functions and likely defects.
types of sawing blades
Types of cutting blades used in the sawing process, such as band saw blades, crosscut blades, plytooth blades and others, made from tool steel, carbide, diamond or other materials.
woodworking tools
The various tools used to process wood, such as planers, chisels and lathes.
Optional skills and competences 19 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
4 competencesmeasure parts of manufactured products
Operate measurement instruments to measure parts of manufactured objects. Take into consideration specifications of manufacturers to perform the measuring.
monitor stock level
Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
operate thickness planer machine
Feed wood materials into the thickness planer, after which a surfaced board is retrieved. Avoid 'sniping' by using an additional piece of wood with the same thickness.
prepare wood production reports
Prepare reports on wood technology production and progressive development of wood based materials.
Cross-sector
15 competencesadvise on machinery malfunctions
Offer advice to service technicians in case of machinery malfunctions and other technical repair tasks.
check quality of raw materials
Check the quality of basic materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished goods by assessing some of its characteristics and, if needed, select samples to be analysed.
conduct routine machinery checks
Check machinery and equipment to ensure reliable performance during use and operations in worksites.
consult technical resources
Read and interpret technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.
identify hazards in the workplace
Perform safety audits and inspections on workplaces and workplace equipment. Ensure that they meet safety regulations and identify hazards and risks.
inspect quality of products
Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
keep records of work progress
Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
operate band saw
Operate a band saw, an industrial saw that features a continuous flexible blade revolving around two or more wheels.
operate crosscut saw
Use a blade saw to manually cut wood across the wood grain. Crosscut saws may have small teeth close together for fine work like woodworking or large for course work like log bucking. They can be a hand tool or power tool.
operate table saw
Handle an industrial table saw, which cuts with a rotating circular blade built into a table. Set the height of the saw to control the depth of the cut. Pay particular attention to safety, as factors such as natural stresses within the wood may produce unpredictable forces.
operate wood router
Handle automated or non-automated industrial wood routers, which feature a routing head that moves over the wood, going up and down to regulate the depth of the incision.
pack goods
Pack different kinds of goods such as finished manufactured products or goods in use. Pack goods by hand in boxes, bags and other types of containers.
program a CNC controller
Set up the desired product design in the CNC controller of the CNC machine for product manufacturing.
digital
record production data for quality control
Keep records of the machine's faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.
replace sawing blade on machine
Replace the old blade of a sawing machine with a new one by removing the chip brush, taking away the front blade guide, loosening the blade tension and removing the blade. Assemble and install new blade by replacing the front blade guide, installing the chip brush, replacing the blade cover and adjusting blade tension.