Set up, operate, or tend heating equipment, such as heat-treating furnaces, flame-hardening machines, induction machines, soaking pits, or vacuum equipment to temper, harden, anneal, or heat-treat metal or plastic objects.
<ul><li>Read production schedules and work orders to determine processing sequences, furnace temperatures, and heat cycle requirements for objects to be heat-treated.</li><li>Record times that parts are removed from furnaces to document that objects have attained specified temperatures for specified times.</li><li>Adjust controls to maintain temperatures and heating times, using thermal instruments and charts, dials and gauges of furnaces, and color of stock in furnaces to make setting determinations.</li><li>Set up and operate or tend machines, such as furnaces, baths, flame-hardening machines, and electronic induction machines, that harden, anneal, and heat-treat metal.</li><li>Start conveyors and open furnace doors to load stock, or signal crane operators to uncover soaking pits and lower ingots into them.</li><li>Remove parts from furnaces after specified times, and air dry or cool parts in water, oil brine, or other baths.</li><li>Move controls to light gas burners and to adjust gas and water flow and flame temperature.</li><li>Instruct new workers in machine operation.</li></ul>