A professional who controls furnace to relieve internal stresses in metal objects and to soften and refine grain structure. Respnsibilities include:

• Reads production schedule to determine processing sequence and furnace temperatures for objects to be processed.
• Turns furnace controls and observes gauges to prepare furnace for annealing process.
• Charges objects directly onto furnace bed, or packs objects into section of furnace or tubes sealed with clay to prevent oxidation.
• Reduces heat and allows objects to cool in furnace, or removes objects from furnace to cool in open air.
• May operate continuous furnace through which objects are passed by means of reels and conveyors and be designated Continuous-Annealing Furnace Operator (heat treating).
• May anneal wire and be designated Pot Annealer (heat treating).