Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
The forming operation operate machinery and equipment, regulate the flow of materials or products, adjust temperature controls of heating equipment, measure dimensions of completed products to verify conformance to specifications, inspect metal, plastic, or composite products and weigh finished products, monitor equipment to ensure the proper functioning and clear equipment jams, record production data, remove workpieces from production equipment, select production equipment according to product specifications and record production information.
A high school degree or training in vocational school is required for press operations or compacting machine operator. Previous job experience is preferred, or work can be learned from senior workers on the job in a few months. Skills required include operation control, production and processing, quality and control, critical thinking, and communication. The extruder operator's salary varies as per the designation.
To succeed in pressing and compacting machine setter jobs, candidates should have knowledge of computers and electronics, production and processing, and mechanics. In addition, one should possess perceptual speed, rate control, quick reaction time, arm-hand steadiness, control precision, manual dexterity, and near vision.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- NSQF Level 3 Machine Operator Assistant-Plastics Extrusion
- NSQF Level 4 Machine Operator-Plastics Extrusion
Tasks
- Adjust machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, and temperatures, and amounts, dimensions, and flow of materials or ingredients.
- Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as templates, micrometers, or scales.
- Monitor machine operations and observe lights and gauges to detect malfunctions.
- Press control buttons to activate machinery and equipment.
- Turn controls to adjust machine functions, such as regulating air pressure, creating vacuums, and adjusting coolant flow.
- Review work orders, specifications, or instructions to determine materials, ingredients, procedures, components, settings, and adjustments for extruding, forming, pressing, or compacting machines.
- Select and install machine components, such as dies, molds, and cutters, according to specifications, using hand tools and measuring devices.
- Record and maintain production data, such as meter readings, and quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.
- Notify supervisors when extruded filaments fail to meet standards.
- Synchronize speeds of sections of machines when producing products involving several steps or processes.
Progression Routes
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