Molding / Coremaking / Casting Machine Setter / Operator / Tender (Metal/Plastic)

Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Core Machine Operator; Die Cast Technician; Diecast Machine Operator; Machine Operator; Mold Setter; Mold Technician; Molder; Process Technician; Production Technician

Tasks

• Measure and visually inspect products for surface and dimension defects to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
• Observe continuous operation of automatic machines to ensure that products meet specifications and to detect jams or malfunctions, making adjustments as necessary.
• Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.
• Turn valves and dials of machines to regulate pressure, temperature, and speed and feed rates, and to set cycle times.
• Read specifications, blueprints, and work orders to determine setups, temperatures, and time settings required to mold, form, or cast plastic materials, as well as to plan production sequences.
• Observe meters and gauges to verify and record temperatures, pressures, and press-cycle times.
• Connect water hoses to cooling systems of dies, using hand tools.
• Remove parts, such as dies, from machines after production runs are finished.
• Perform maintenance work such as cleaning and oiling machines.
• Smooth and clean inner surfaces of molds, using brushes, scrapers, air hoses, or grinding wheels, and fill imperfections with refractory material.

Knowledge

• Production and Processing
• Mechanical
• Mathematics

Skills

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

Abilities

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