Will “Shipfitter” be Automated?

Core Skills & Abilities

• Lay out and fabricate metal structural parts such as plates, bulkheads, and frames.

• Install doors, hatches, brackets, and clips.

• Compute layout dimensions, and determine and mark reference points on metal stock or workpieces for further processing, such as welding and assembly.

• Plan and develop layouts from blueprints and templates, applying knowledge of trigonometry, design, effects of heat, and properties of metals.

• Inspect machined parts to verify conformance to specifications.

• Brace parts in position within hulls or ships for riveting or welding.

• Locate center lines and verify template positions, using measuring instruments such as gauge blocks, height gauges, and dial indicators.

• Mark curves, lines, holes, dimensions, and welding symbols onto workpieces, using scribes, soapstones, punches, and hand drills.

• Lift and position workpieces in relation to surface plates, manually or with hoists, and using parallel blocks and angle plates.

• Plan locations and sequences of cutting, drilling, bending, rolling, punching, and welding operations, using compasses, protractors, dividers, and rules.

• Add dimensional details to blueprints or drawings made by other workers.

• Design and prepare templates of wood, paper, or metal.

• Apply pigment to layout surfaces, using paint brushes.

• Fit and align fabricated parts to be welded or assembled.