Patternmakers, Wood

What Does a Patternmakers, Wood Do?

Plan, lay out, and construct wooden unit or sectional patterns used in forming sand molds for castings.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• 1Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.
• 2Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts together to form patterns, models, or sections, using glue, nails, dowels, bolts, and screws.
• 3Lay out patterns on wood stock and draw outlines of units, sectional patterns, or full-scale mock-ups of products, based on blueprint specifications and sketches, and using marking and measuring devices.
• 4Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces, and plane, shave, file, scrape, and sand models to attain specified shapes, using hand tools.
• 5Divide patterns into sections according to shapes of castings to facilitate removal of patterns from molds.
• 6Verify dimensions of completed patterns, using templates, straightedges, calipers, or protractors.
• 7Correct patterns to compensate for defects in castings.
• 8Set up, operate, and adjust a variety of woodworking machines such as bandsaws and lathes to cut and shape sections, parts, and patterns, according to specifications.

Required Skills

• 3D Systems Geomagic Design X
• Autodesk AutoCAD
• Delcam PowerMILL
• Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook

Patternmakers, Wood Salary