Profession fiberglass laminator

Fiberglass laminators mould fiberglass materials to form hulls and boat decks. They read blueprints and use hand and power tools to cut the composite materials. They apply waxes and lacquers, and prepare surfaces for the placement of fiberglass mats. They use resin-saturated fiberglass to bond wood reinforcing strips to cabin structures and decks. They also prepare materials exposing those to the right temperature. They check finished products for defects and make sure they comply with the specifications.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Conventional
• Realistic / Investigative

Knowledge

• Fibreglass laminating

  Process of applying multiple layers of fiberglass, a strong lightweight plastic reinforced with glass fibre woven into mats, using various techniques such as applying pressure or adhesives, welding or heating in order to provide strength and stability to the composite material. The fibreglass can also be sprayed in liquid form onto products.

• Chemical processes

  The relevant chemical processes used in manufacture, such as purification, seperation, emulgation and dispergation processing.

Skills

• Apply health and safety standards

  Adhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.

• Handle chemicals

  Safely handle industrial chemicals; use them efficiently and ensure that no harm is done to the environment.

• Apply preliminary treatment to workpieces

  Apply preparatory treatment, through mechanical or chemical processes, to the workpiece preceding the main operation.

• Remove air bubbles from fibreglass

  Use brushes and rollers to eliminate air bubbles that could weaken the fibreglass, to ensure perfect adherence of the resin to the product shell or to previous layers, and to avoid any structural defects.

• 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.

• Protect workpiece components from processing

  Cover parts from being treated with chemicals in order to protect them.

• Ensure vessel compliance with regulations

  Inspect vessels, vessel components, and equipment; ensure compliance with standards and specifications.

• Wear appropriate protective gear

  Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.

• Consult technical resources

  Read and interpret such 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.

• Use power tools

  Operate power driven pumps. Use hand tools or power tools. Use vehicle repair tools or safety equipment.

• Read standard blueprints

  Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.

• Troubleshoot

  Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.

• Select fibreglass

  Select precut fibreglass mats to laminate surfaces of boat decks, hulls or golf carts according to technical plans and specifications.

• Saturate fibreglass mat with resin mixture

  Apply plastic resin mixture, by using a brush, to the fibreglass mat. Press saturated mat into the mold to remove air bubbles and wrinkles, using a roller.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB