Thato Moichela
Trade Tested Mechanical Fitter and Turner
Hire this person
Send a job offer directly to this candidate
About
Trade Tested Mechanical Fitter and Turner qualified at Indlela (Olifantsfonstein) with N3 and N4 in Fitting and Turning. Over 8 years' hands-on experience in plant maintenance and mechanical fitting across FMCG and heavy industrial environments. Skilled in precision alignment of pumps and gearboxes, machining to ±0.02mm and breakdown response on conveyors, extruders, and process equipment.
Proven track record of working to SHEQ standards with strict adherence to LOTO, permit-to-work, and 5S housekeeping. Reliable team player ready to support artisans and ensure safe, efficient operations.
Experience
Mechanical Fitter and Turner - Nedan Oil and Protein
(2026-02)
- Perform reactive, preventive and scheduled maintenance on all mechanical plant assets to minimize downtime
- Precision alignment of centrifugal pumps, motors and gearboxes using laser alignment equipment and DTI
- Maintain and repair bulk material conveyors: bucket elevators, chain conveyors, screw conveyors, rubber, slat and belt conveyors
- Service boiler ancillaries and water treatment systems including blowdown valves, pressure relief valves, feed check valves and steam lines
- Overhaul and refurbish gearboxes, centrifugal pumps and mechanical seals
- Maintain rotary airlocks, cyclones, hull fans and filter fans on extraction systems
- Service seed expellers/presses, heat exchangers, extruders, flaker flakers, cracker machines, plate filters, leaf filters, deodorizers and centrifuges/separators
- Maintain plant air compressors, hydraulic power packs, and pneumatic valve actuators
- Maintain and repair industrial ovens, dryers and associated burners, thermocouples and temperature control systems
- Support maintenance on Clean-In-Place circuits to prevent cross-contamination
- Work under LOTO, permit-to-work, confined space and hot work permits. Participate in RCFA for major breakdowns
- Log jobs, spares and hours on SAP/On Key to track PM completion and breakdown trends
Mechanical Fitter and Turner - Crofts Gears
(2023-10 - 2026-01)
- Interpreted engineering drawings, assembly diagrams and OEM specifications to build gear units to tolerance
- Assembled and refurbished industrial gearboxes: worm, bevel, helical, double reduction, lift actuators, and K-series units
- Set and adjusted end floats, backlash, and bearing pre-load to company and OEM tolerances using DTI, feeler gauges and shims
- Performed lapping of helical gear sets to achieve correct tooth contact patterns and reduce noise
- Conducted test runs of completed gear units under load and no-load conditions and issued test run certificates
- Stripped, inspected and reported on returned gearboxes and couplings to assist the quoting department with repair assessments
- Fitted and aligned chains, couplings, and drive components during final assembly
- Operated conventional workshop machines: lathe, milling machine and surface grinder for machining bushes, shafts, keys and spacers
- Applied engineering principles for fault finding on gear failures, wear patterns and lubrication issues
- Ensured all work complied with Quality, Environmental, Safety and Health (QESH) standards
- Maintained 5S housekeeping standards in the assembly and test bay
Mechanical Fitter and Turner Semi-skilled - Productive Systems
(2017-10 - 2023-10)
- Assembled, installed, and commissioned various conveyor systems on client sites, including belt, chain, and roller conveyors
- Performed preventive and breakdown maintenance on conveyor belts: tracking, splicing, pulley lagging, and bearing replacement to minimize production stoppages
- Manufactured and fitted precision components for packaging machinery using conventional lathe, milling machine, surface grinder, and CNC Haas Mill with basic G-code programming and setups
- Read and interpreted engineering drawings and component tolerances to fabricate parts within ±0.02mm for critical assemblies
- Conducted fault diagnosis and repair on mechanical systems for bagging machines, self-adhesive labelling machines, plastic closure cap assembly machines, wadding machines, leak testers, and trimmers
- Drilled, tapped, cut, and shaped metal components and fitted fabricated parts into complete machines and sub-assemblies
- Used mechanical measuring equipment: verniers, micrometres, DTI, and height gauges for quality control during manufacturing and assembly
- Reduced machine downtime through rapid diagnosis and repair of mechanical failures on production lines
- Adhered to SHEQ standards during on-site installations and workshop fabrication, maintaining zero LTI record
Education
Fitting and Turning - Shalom Technical College, Benoni Campus
N3 - Fitting and Turning - Shalom Technical College, Benoni Campus
N4 - Fitting and Turning - Shalom Technical College, Benoni Campus
Furthering N courses - Shalom Technical College, Benoni Campus