Profession sawmill operator

Sawmill operators work with automated lumber mill equipment which saws timber into rough lumber. They also handle various sawing machines which further process the lumber in various shapes and sizes. These processes are nowadays often computer controlled.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Conventional

Knowledge

• Cutting technologies

  The variety of cutting technologies, such as software or mechanics, guiding cutting processes through lasering, sawing, milling etc.

• Wood cuts

  Different ways of cutting wood, across the grain or parallel with it, and radial or tangential to the core. The behaviour of cuts of wood under different circumstances and the optimal cut for a given purpose. Influence of special attributes of the wood, like knots or defects.

• Woodworking processes

  Steps in the processing of wood for the manufacturing of wooden articles and types of machines used for these processes such as drying, shaping, assembling and surface finishing.

Skills

• Handle timber-based products

  Identify the main types of timber based products to be received at your company. Stack and store timber based products safely and in compliance with company procedures.

• Work safely with machines

  Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.

• Wear appropriate protective gear

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

• Create cutting plan

  Draw up plans to show how the material will be cut into functional pieces to minimise loss of material.

• 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.

• Supply machine

  Ensure the machine is fed the necessary and adequate materials and control the placement or automatic feed and retrieval of work pieces in the machines or machine tools on the production line.

• Dispose of cutting waste material

  Dispose of possibly hazardous waste material created in the cutting process, such as swarf, scrap and slugs, sort according to regulations, and clean up workplace.

• Handle timber

  Identify the main types of timber to be received at your company. Stack and store timber safely and in compliance with company procedures.

• 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.

• Ensure conformity to specifications

  Ensure that the assembled products are conform to the specifications given.

• Ensure equipment availability

  Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.

• 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.

• Troubleshoot

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

• Manipulate wood

  Manipulate the properties, shape and size of wood.

• Adjust properties of cut

  Adjust cut sizes and depths of cutting tools. Adjust heights of worktables and machine-arms.

• Monitor automated machines

  Continuously check up on the automated machine's set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.

• Operate wood sawing equipment

  Operate various machinery and equipment to cut wood in different sizes and shapes.

• Keep sawing equipment in good condition

  Make sure sawing equipment is always in good and safe working condition. Inspect the equipment for defects. Replace defective or worn-out elements in accordance with guidelines. Store elements safely when not in use. Notify the responsible party in case of large or dangerous defects.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB