Metal Platers coat metal and plastic articles with a thin layer of nickel, silver, gold, chromium, or other metals. Electroplating, which involves coating metal using a plating solution and an electric current, is one process used.

JOB DUTIES 

Platers (sometimes called Electroplaters) may:

Clean objects to be coated by putting them in cleaning and rinsing baths

Place objects to be coated in plating solutions by suspending them from the positive and/or negative terminals of the power supply

Measure or estimate the amount of electric current needed and the time required to coat objects

Control the voltage and current being supplied to the terminals to control the plating process

Remove objects when the required thickness of metal has been deposited on them

Rinse metal coated objects in appropriate cleansing liquids and dry them by such methods as wiping with cloth, tumbling in rotated barrels of sawdust, or using centrifugal dryers

The tools and equipment used may include:

Standard plating metals are zinc, cadmium, nickel, chromium, gold, tin, silver, brass, and copper. Other techniques used include conversion coating, electrolyze nickel plating, and plating of plastics.

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Metal Platers may specialize in these areas:

500.287-010 PRODUCTION PLATERS tend automatic equipment that moves metal objects through a series of cleaning, rinsing, and electroplating solutions to coat objects with decorative or protective metallic coatings.

501.685-010 HOT DIP PLATERS, also known as galvanizers, tend equipment to coat iron and steel products with a corrosion-resistant, molten nonferrous metal such as zinc or tin.

500.362-010 ELECTROGALVANIZING-MACHINE OPERATORS set up and operate continuous multistrand electrogalvanizing and heat-treating machines to coat steel strips or wires with zinc, according to specifications.

501.362-010 COATING-MACHINE OPERATORS set up and control automatic hot-dip lines to plate steel sheets with protective coatings of metal, such as tin.

500.362-014 BARREL PLATERS operate barrel plating equipment to coat metal objects electrolytically with metal to build up, protect, or decorate the surfaces of the objects.

500.682-010 ANODIZERS control anodizing (coating) equipment to provide corrosion resistant surfaces to aluminum objects.

500.684-026 PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD PANELS PLATERS electroplate printed circuit board (PCB) panels with metals to resist corrosion, improve electrical conductivity, and facilitate solder connections.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Metal Platers may work alone or as part of a team in job shops or metal plating departments of manufacturing firms. Work areas may differ. Some older, smaller shops still operate with hand equipment. Other shops and plating departments have been automated and may provide better lighting and ventilation. Some hazards exist in working with acids and other chemicals, but protective clothes and other safety precautions have reduced the dangers for Metal Platers.

The normal workweek is 40 hours. Large job shops and manufacturing firms usually operate 24 hours a day, requiring three separate shifts. On occasion, overtime is necessary in order to meet deadlines.

Metal Platers may join one of several different unions. These unions may include: International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), Metal Polishers, Buffers, Platers and Allied Workers International Union. Union members must pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Using machines, processes, and techniques in your work

• Working with objects and things

• Doing work that is routine and organized

You Should Be Able To:

• Repeat activities or tasks of short duration

• Work comfortably with electricity, chemicals, and metals

• Learn and apply mechanical principles in setting up plating equip.

• Apply shop mathematics

• Evaluate information to make judgments and decisions

• Compare and see differences in size, shape, and form of objects

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

When hydrochloric acid is dissolved in water, it ionizes according to what chemical reaction?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Hard chrome deposit can be rendered porous by mechanical or chemical or electrochemical methods. It is then called porous chromium, which consists of a large number of pits of controlled depth or network of cracks. The pits and channels help to retain the oil film adequately by rendering the chromium porous, the high wear resistance and low coefficient of friction of the plated metal are better utilized.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare an analysis, after examining a finished piece, indicating any defects.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Analytical skills and be detail oriented in following work specifications and coating metal.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job training provided by the employer or a high school diploma or equivalent may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations covered in this MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 MATH , 2300 METALS , 2900 SCIENCE , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript

  Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript

  E-Learning Courses and Programs  

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Some experience may be gained through part-time or summer jobs in a plating job shop or manufacturing firm.

                School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Metal Plater employer

internships

volunteer work with a Metal Plater employer

community service work with an agency

Metal Platers usually enter the occupation by applying directly to employers. Assistance may be obtained from unions representing Metal Platers, local offices of Michigan Works!, and high school counselors. Newspaper want ads may list job openings. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as;  

Michigan Talent Bank

Michigan Works!

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Metal Platers vary with geographic location, size and type of employer, extent of unionization, and job performed.

Nationally, in 1998, Metal Platers had median weekly earnings of $485 or about $12.13 per hour.

Most unionized Metal Platers in the automobile industry earned from $20.12 to $20.69 per hour (1999). They also receive a cost-of-living allowance.

Overtime is normally paid at 1-1/2 to 2 times the Plater's regular rate of pay. Extra pay is usually received for working a second or third shift.

Most Metal Platers receive paid holidays and vacations; sick leave; life, accident, and hospitalization insurance; and pensions. Some workers may receive dental and optical benefits. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by employers. Sometimes employers and employees contribute jointly to union trust funds to provide for certain additional fringe benefits.

This is an industry with many small shops located near larger manufacturers. Most individuals enter this occupation through on-the-job training as helpers to skilled Metal Platers. There are no formal lines of promotion. Metal Platers may advance to become supervisors or shop managers. Promotions might depend on length of service, job performance, and technical training. Electroplators who can work with a variety of metals might be hired at a higher level of pay by another employer.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

About 41,800 Metal Platers were employed nationwide in 1996. Employment in this occupation is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2006. The industry distribution for Metal Platers looked like this:

Employment will be somewhat restricted by the increasing use of automated and non-polluting plating equipment. Some openings are expected each year as workers retire, die, or transfer to other lines of work.

There are approximately 1,950 Metal Platers employed in Michigan. Most worked in the manufacturing industry. They worked in job shops specializing in metal plating and polishing for manufacturing firms. Others worked in plating departments of manufacturers of such products as radio and TV receivers; office furniture, motor vehicles and parts; lighting and plumbing fixtures; hardware items; and parts of spacecraft, missiles, and aircraft.

The employment of Metal Platers in Michigan is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 60 openings is expected annually, with 10 openings due to growth and 50 due to replacement of workers who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers transfer to other jobs or occupations. The United States environmental policy has fostered less polluting technologies, and has caused some consolidation of the industry. Much more significant consolidation is caused by pressure toward offshore manufacturing. Many United States companies have moved production operations to other countries to lower their costs. Michigan has more metal plating due to the automotive industry that uses considerable amounts of plated metal. As a result Michigan companies are more affected by the ups and downs of the automotive industry.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed occupational information is available upon written request from sources below: