Tire Retread Technician

Requirements:
Use either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes
Perform work to inspect, buff, repair, build, heat, seal tires through operating machines to re-build tires from rubber components
Perform all duties associated with Initial Inspection, Shearographer, Buffer, Repair, Builder, Chamber, Extruders, and Final Inspection
Use either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes
Use hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things
Perform physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials
Observing, receiving and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources
Able to withstand environment that is very hot during summer months and colder during winter months
Tolerate exposure to various chemicals used in cleaning, lubrication, etc.
Frequent bending, twisting and lifting over 50 lbs. and up to 125 lbs. or more on a regular basis and exert 100+ lbs. of pressure when pushing tires
Inspects repairs and lubricates equipment, following mfg. instructions to maintain good operating condition
Maintains standards of cleanliness, orderliness and appearance of plant. Sweeps floors and walls as necessary
Receives, unloads and stores in designated places, tread, rubber, repair material, curing bags, etc.
Maintains a stock of tread rubber and repair materials, advising manager when replenishment is necessary
Able to withstand repetitive and sustained exertions, forceful exertions, awkward postures, mechanical stress concentrations, vibrations in an environment that includes machinery noise, dust and exposure to heat
Must have ability to understand and comprehend English
Must be physically and mentally able to safely perform the essential functions without obvious risk of injury to the employee and co-workers
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, and quality control
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers as necessitated by the work
Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions

Retreading Functions:
Inspect worn tires for faults, cracks, cuts and nail holes, and to determine if tires are suitable for retreading
Operates a buffing machine to remove treads from tires to be retreaded, following specifications for depth and width
Measures diameter and cross section to determine correct tread width
Build semi-raw rubber treads onto buffed tire casings in order to prepare tires for vulcanization in recapping and retreading processes
Applies rubber cement to tire casing and hangs up to dry
Selects proper size tread rubber and applies it to the tire
Places tire in chamber and programs correct curing temperature according to specification
Sets timer for curing time according to chart, and makes record of each tire showing size and curing time
Removes finished retread from curing chamber. Also removes rim and curing bag from finished retread
Inspects tires to determine defects in curing, (soft cures, ply separation, repairs missed, etc.)
Checks finished tire with work order for proper identification and completion of work required
Trims and paints finished retread
Tire Repair Functions:
Inspects tires to determine type of repair required, indicates repairs to be made and marks repair only
Skives out and buffs injury inside and out for proper size repair
Applies proper cement to inside injury and builds up repair using correct size repair patch
Covers outside injury with layer of cushion gum and fills with tread gum
Makes final inspection of repair, cuts tread design with regrooving iron, paints tire and places in finished stock

Physical Demands:
Exerts 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Frequently reaches (extending hands and arms in any direction), handles (seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or working with hands), and identifies and distinguishes colors. Occasionally climbs (ascends or descends ladders, stairs, ramps, and the like), balances. Occasionally stoops (bending the body downward and forward by bending at the waist, legs and spine), and kneels (bending the legs at knee to come to rest on knee or knees).

Statement of Other Duties:
This document describes the major duties and responsibilities for this job, and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and functions. It should be understood, therefore, that employees may be asked to perform job-related duties beyond those explicitly described.

Qualifications

Qualifications:
High School Diploma or Equivalent preferred
Driver's License preferred
Must maintain regular attendance and ability to be at work on time each scheduled workday