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Tool and die makers are highly skilled workers in the manufacturing industry. Some of the job functions of a tool and die maker consist of producing jigs, fixtures, form tools, dies, molds, machine tools, cutting tools, and many other mechanical items used in manufacturing processes.^[1] Depending on which area of concentration a particular person works in, he or she may be called by variations on the name, including tool maker (toolmaker), die maker (diemaker), mold maker (moldmaker), tool fitter (toolfitter), etc.

Tool and die makers make tools used by engineering craftspeople and factory-floor operators. These include:

• jigs
• gauges
• dies
• molds
• machine tools

Traditionally, working from engineering drawings, tool makers marked out the design on the raw material (usually metal or wood), then cut it to size and shape using a combination of lathes, milling machines, grinding machines and precision cutting machines. Many tool makers now use computer-aided design and CNC machine tools to perform these tasks. Some tool makers specialise as machinist tool makers, others as tool maker fitters, and some as tool repairers.

Although the details of training programs vary, many tool and die makers begin an apprenticeship with an employer, possibly including a mix of classroom training and hands-on experience. Some prior qualifications in mathematics, science, engineering or design and technology can be valuable. Many tool and die makers attend a 4- to 5-year apprenticeship program to achieve the status of a journeyman tool and die maker.

Employment of tool and die makers is expected to decline in some countries due to increased use of automation, including CNC machine tools and computer-aided design. On the other hand, tool and die makers play a key role in building and maintaining advanced automated manufacturing equipment.

• Moldmaker

1. ^ Tool and die makers by U.S Department of Labor, retrieved September 11, 2006

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