ferrous metal processing
Various processing methods on iron and iron-containing alloys such as steel, stainless steel and pig iron.
Surface treatment operators apply chemicals and paint to the material surface in order to protect against corrosion. They calculate the materials needed for surface protection.
Competences and skills
64 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 8 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
2 competencesnon-ferrous metal processing
Various processing methods on non-ferrous metals and alloys such as copper, zinc and aluminium.
- Scope note
- Excludes precious metals.
Cross-sector
6 competencescorrosion types
The various types of oxidation reactions with the environment, such as rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others.
health and safety in the workplace
The body of rules, procedures and regulations related to safety, health and welfare of people in their workplace.
material mechanics
The behaviour of solid objects when subjected to stresses and strains, and the methods to calculate these stresses and strains.
metal coating technologies
The various processes and technologies used for to coating and painting fabricated metal workpieces.
quality standards
The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
sanding techniques
The various sanding techniques (such as gang sanding), as well as the different sanding papers necessary for which surface.
Essential skills and competences 23 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Cross-sector
23 competencesapply health and safety standards
Adhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.
apply precision metalworking techniques
Comply with precision standards specific to an organisation or product in metalworking, involved in processes such as engraving, precise cutting, welding.
apply preliminary treatment to workpieces
Apply preparatory treatment, through mechanical or chemical processes, to the workpiece preceding the main operation.
apply spraying techniques
Apply the most optimal spraying techniques, such as a perpendicular spraying angle, maintenance at a consistent distance, trigger the spray gun gradually, overlap surface spots, and others.
choose proper primer coat
Carefully select a primer from the same range as the paint to ensure optimal coating and paint colour quality when applying one over the other.
dispose of hazardous waste
Dispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.
green
ensure equipment availability
Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.
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 metal polishing equipment
Operate equipment designed to buff and polish metal workpieces, such as diamond solutions, silicon-made polishing pads, or working wheels with a leather polishing strop, and others.
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.
prepare surface for painting
Make sure the surface to be painted is free of scratches and dents. Assess the porosity of the wall and the need for coating. Remove any grease, dirt, moisture and traces of previous coverings.
read engineering drawings
Read the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.
read standard blueprints
Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
remove coating
Remove the thin layer made of paint, lacquer, metal or other elements covering an object through chemical, mechanical or other processes.
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.
sand between coats
Smoothen the surface of a workpiece by sanding it in between applying coats in order to obtain a clear, stronger coat.
select spraying pressure
Select the optimal spraying pressure taking into account the kind of paint or primer being sprayed, the sprayed material, the spraying environment and other factors.
spot metal imperfections
Observe and identify various kinds of imperfections in metal workpieces or finished products. Recognise the best fitted manner of fixing the problem, which could be caused by corrosion, rust, fractures, leaks, and other signs of wear.
wear appropriate protective gear
Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
work ergonomically
Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
work with chemicals
Handle chemicals and select specific ones for certain processes. Be aware of the reactions which arise from combining them.
Optional knowledge 13 competences
Occupation specific
1 competencelacquer spray gun parts
The various parts of a spray gun designed to provide the surface of a workpiece with a durable lacquer finishing coat, such as the stay-cool handle, inline valve, stainless steel springs, pattern control knob, air cap, metal collar, stainless steel fluid components, external needle packing adjustment, trigger, and others.
Sector-specific
2 competencestypes of metal manufacturing processes
Metal processes linked to the different types of metal, such as casting processes, heat treatment processes, repair processes and other metal manufacturing processes.
types of plastic
Types of plastic materials and their chemical composition, physical properties, possible issues and usage cases.
Cross-sector
10 competencesanodising process
The various steps necessary in the process of forming an electrical circuit's anode electrode in order to increase the density of the natural oxide layer on the surface of a metal workpiece hereby enhancing corrosion and wear. These steps include: pre-cleaning, masking and racking, degreasing and rinsing, etching and rinsing, deoxidising and rinsing, anodising and rinsing, sealing and drying, and inspection.
automation technology
Set of technologies that make a process, system, or apparatus operate automatically through the use of control systems.
digital
dip-coating process
The various steps in the process of dipping a workpiece in a coating material solution, including immersion, start-up, deposition, drainage, and, possibly, evaporation.
electroplating
The process of plating together different types of metals through hydrolysis, silver plating, chromium plating, or copper plating. Electroplating allows for the combination of different metals with different properties in product manufacturing.
industrial paint
The various kinds of paint used as coating in manufacturing finishing processes, such as primers, intermediate coats, finish coats, stripe coats, and others.
lacquer paint applications
The characteristics and applications of lacquer paint and primers, such as the level of sheerness, the varying results of a lacquer treatment on different materials, and others.
mechatronics
Multidisciplinary field of engineering that combines principles of electrical engineering, telecommunications engineering, control engineering, computer engineering, and mechanical engineering in the design of products and manufacturing processes. The combination of these areas of engineering allows for the design and development of "smart" devices and the achievement of an optimal balance between mechanical structure and control.
robotics
The branch of engineering that involves the design, operation, manufacture, and application of robots. Robotics is part of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science and overlaps with mechatronics and automation engineering.
digital
types of metal
Qualities, specifications, applications and reactions to different fabricating processes of various types of metal, such as steel, aluminium, brass, copper and others.
types of wood
Types of wood, such as birch, pine, poplar, mahogany, maple and tulipwood.
green
Optional skills and competences 20 competences
Occupation specific
1 competenceprepare surface for enamelling
Remove any grease, oil grime or dust from the surface and make the enamelling area of even thickness in order to achieve even colour distribution while firing.
Sector-specific
5 competencesmaintain mechatronic equipment
Diagnose and detect malfunctions in mechatronics components and systems and remove, replace, or repair these components when necessary. Execute preventative equipment maintenance tasks, such as storing mechatronics components in clean, dust-free, and non-humid spaces.
maintain robotic equipment
Diagnose and detect malfunctions in robotic components and systems and remove, replace, or repair these components when necessary. Execute preventative equipment maintenance tasks, such as storing robotic components in clean, dust-free, and non-humid spaces.
digital
paint surfaces
Use brushes and rollers to apply a coat of paint to a prepared surface evenly and without leaving drops.
plan surface slope
Make sure the planned surface has the necessary slope to prevent puddling of water or fluids.
prepare surface for hardwood floor laying
Make sure the base is properly prepared. Flatten out any uneven surface by applying thin strips of wood called firrings, sanding and refixing any loose or creaky boards.
Cross-sector
14 competencesblast surface
Blast a surface with sand, metal shot, dry ice or other blasting material to remove impurities or rough up a smooth surface.
clean wood surface
Use a variety of techniques on a wood surface to ensure it is free of dust, sawdust, grease, stains, and other contaminants.
lacquer wood surfaces
Apply one or several layers of lacquer to a wood surface to coat it. Use a roller and a brush for larger surfaces. Load the roller or brush with lacquer and coat the surface evenly. Make sure no debris or brush hairs stay on the surface.
maintain equipment
Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
mix chemicals
Mix chemical substances safely according to recipe, using the proper dosages.
monitor painting operations
Monitor the painting in progress to prevent flaws.
operate automated process control
Operate process control or automation system (PAS) used to control a production process automatically.
digital
operate lacquer spray gun
Operate a semi-automatic or handheld spray gun designed to provide the surface of a workpiece with a hard, durable finishing coat, safely and according to regulations.
prepare surface for plastering
Prepare the wall or other surface to be plastered. Make sure the wall is free of impurities and moisture, and is not too smooth as this will prevent proper adherence of the plastering materials. Decide whether an adhesive wall coating is called for, especially if the wall is damp or very porous.
smooth glass surface
Smooth glass or lens surfaces of optical instruments with grinding and polishing tools, such as diamond tools.
tend anodising machine
Tend the different stations of a metalworking machine designed to form anode electrodes as part of the anodising process. This includes tending the coil feed operation station, the pre-treatment and cleaning tanks, the anodise tanks, the post treatment facility and the coil rewind equipment; monitor and operate all according to regulations.
tend dip tank
Tend a manufacturing machine designed to coat workpiece surfaces by applying dip-coating machine processes, monitor and operate it according to regulations.
tend electroplating machine
Tend a metalworking machine designed to coat metal surfaces by using electric current to form metal coatings on an electrode and on the workpiece, monitor and operate it according to regulations.
tend surface grinding machine
Tend a metalworking machine designed to smoothen a metal surface by applying grinding, abrasive machine processes, monitor and operate it according to regulations.