Electroplating Workers: Job Description, Education, Skills and Duties, Earnings and Outlook
Submitted by: paula
Job Overview Objects that we see everyday such as automobile parts like bumpers, grills and trims, metal furniture, electronic components, jewelries, small appliances and some plumbing fixtures are protected exteriorly by way of electroplating. Electroplating is a process of plating or the so -called metal coating of an article or an item using a thin layer of liquid solution of a metal. An electric current is being used so that the liquid metal particles would deposit to the surface where it is applied, hence, electroplating. Those workers who do this job in different industries, and carry out the electroplating process are called elecroplaters or simply platers. At present, there are approximately 44,000 platers who are working in and employed in the United States.
Education, Knowledge and Trainings Required
The minimum requirement to become an electroplater is a possesion of a high school diploma. However, if you are intereseted in building a career in the electroplating industry, take as many subjects in mathematics, and physical sciences such as physics and chemistry. Subjects in high school such as blueprint reading, electrical and metal shop will be very useful in the future practice.
Skills and Abilities
The skills that are needed in fulfilling the duties of this job are mechanical/manipulative skills an technical and scientific skills. The use of the liquid metals including the knowledge on how to mix solutions and the careful application to various surfaces is a must to be mastered. Platers are expected ad therefore should be very adept with the use of several electroplating devices.
Duties
Electroplaters start off their work by checking the work order. They take note of the object to metal plate it with, the types of metal solution , the specification of the plating and the amount of current to run through the plating bath. After studying what to do to the subject, they then begin the project by putting it to various rinsing and cleaning bath. Afterwchich, they do the measuring, marking, and masking of those parts that should be left unplated, with the use of rubber, lacquer or tape.
Then the electroplating process begins. They prepare and control the composition and the temperature of the metal solution to be applied. The application will follow including the running of the electric current to make the metal set through the surface. Cooling down will follow and the final assessment of the product will be done for the detection of imperfections and quality assessment.
Earnings and Job Outlook
The range of earnings for an electroplater ranges from 16,000 U.S. dollars to 25,000 U.S. dollars. The salary depends on the factors such as the location of the work, the size and the nature of the employer as well as the numebr of years of experience in the field. Other platers who hold a supervisory position with several number of years of experience can earn at least 32,000 U.S. dollars in a year. However, with the advent of the many computerized electroplating technology, the job outlook is expected to move more slowly than the average.
Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.
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Word Count: 538 Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2011 Time: 10:17 PM
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