What does a Composite Technician do?
Published 3 min read
A composite technician is responsible for the fabrication, repair, and maintenance of composite materials. Composite materials are made up of two or more different materials that are combined to create a new material with improved properties. The technician must have a thorough knowledge of the properties of each component material and how they interact with each other. They must also be able to work with a variety of tools and equipment to cut, shape, and join the materials together.
Composite Technician job duties include:
- Read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, schematics, and manuals
- Perform lay-up, bonding, and curing of composite materials according to specifications
- Trim, drill, grind, and sand composite materials
- Inspect completed products for defects and adherence to specifications
- Operate hand tools, power tools, and equipment such as shears, presses, and vacuum bagging systems
- Maintain a clean and safe work environment
- Follow all safety policies and procedures
- Record data and maintain accurate documentation
- Perform other duties as assigned
Composite Technician Job Requirements
A Composite Technician is responsible for the fabrication, repair, and maintenance of composite materials. They must have a high school diploma or equivalent, and completion of a vocational training program is preferred. Certification from the American Composites Manufacturing Association (ACMA) is also preferred. Composite technicians must have experience working with hand and power tools, as well as experience in reading and understanding blueprints.
Composite Technician Skills
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints
- Knowledge of composite materials
- Ability to use hand tools
- Ability to use power tools
- Ability to follow safety procedures
- Ability to work in a team environment
- Ability to work independently
- Detail oriented
- Organized
- Good communication skills
- Physical strength and endurance
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How to become a Composite Technician
A Composite Technician is responsible for the fabrication, repair, and maintenance of composite materials. Composite materials are made up of two or more different substances that have been combined to create a new material with improved properties. The most common type of composite material is fiber-reinforced plastic, which is made up of a plastic matrix reinforced with fibers such as glass or carbon.
Composite technicians must be able to work with a variety of materials and understand the properties of each. They must be able to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications, and use a variety of hand and power tools. They must also be able to perform quality control tests on finished products.
Most composite technicians have at least a high school diploma, although some jobs may require postsecondary education or certification. Many technicians learn on the job through apprenticeships or other training programs.
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