Extruding / Forming / Pressing / Compacting Machine Setter / Operator / Tender

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.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Extruder Operator; Extrusion Operator; Glass Forming Crew Member; Machine Operator; Press Operator; Tuber Operator

Tasks

• Adjust machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, and temperatures, and amounts, dimensions, and flow of materials or ingredients.
• Press control buttons to activate machinery and equipment.
• 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.
• Clear jams, and remove defective or substandard materials or products.
• Notify supervisors when extruded filaments fail to meet standards.
• Record and maintain production data, such as meter readings, and quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.
• Review work orders, specifications, or instructions to determine materials, ingredients, procedures, components, settings, and adjustments for extruding, forming, pressing, or compacting machines.
• Turn controls to adjust machine functions, such as regulating air pressure, creating vacuums, and adjusting coolant flow.
• Clean dies, arbors, compression chambers, and molds, using swabs, sponges, or air hoses.
• Synchronize speeds of sections of machines when producing products involving several steps or processes.
• Move materials, supplies, components, and finished products between storage and work areas, using work aids such as racks, hoists, and handtrucks.

Knowledge

• Production and Processing
• Mechanical
• Computers and Electronics

Skills

• Monitoring
• Speaking
• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking

Abilities

• Perceptual Speed
• Rate Control
• Reaction Time
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Problem Sensitivity
• Manual Dexterity
• Near Vision
• Information Ordering
• Finger Dexterity
• Control Precision
• Far Vision
• Auditory Attention
• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Category Flexibility
• Visualization
• Selective Attention
• Multilimb Coordination
• Static Strength
• Trunk Strength
• Stamina
• Inductive Reasoning
• Response Orientation
• Depth Perception
• Hearing Sensitivity
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity