9781422270875

of a particular 3-D printer or requests from customers. They also operate and maintain 3-D printers; assess finished products for quality and other issues, and reject any items that do not meet production standards; organize printed parts by order and postprocessing requirements (such as painting, sanding, and gluing); and generate process yield reports that summarize any problems with the machinery, operator errors, defective products, and rawmaterials defects. 3-D printing service technicians maintain and repair 3-D printers. They update systems software, initiate repairs (e.g., unclog blocked nozzles, determine why the extrusion process stopped midprint, assess why print layers do not line up well), maintain maintenance and repair logs, and provide advice to employers regarding equipment upkeep and new 3-D printing software and hardware. Automation technicians manage automated systems and conduct research on ways to improve them. Some work with engineers and scientists to develop collaborative robots—those that are programmed to work closely (and safely) with one or more humans on a task. Welding machine operators set up, supervise, and maintain robots or machines that weld, solder, or braze metal products, components, or assemblies. Mechatronics technicians use their knowledge of mechanical, control, computer, electrical, and communication engineering to design, build, and maintain robots, computer-integrated manufacturing equipment, and other advanced manufacturing and traditional manufacturing technologies. Robotics technicians troubleshoot and repair robots; install, program, and repair programmable controllers, end-of-arm tools, or robot controllers; modify computer-controlled robot movements; perform preventive maintenance on robotic systems and/or components; train customers or others in the installation, usage, or maintenance of robots; program complex robotic systems;

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Careers in Infrastructure: Advanced Manufacturing Technicians