Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Occupation Details

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

The main tasks and work activities of Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are to measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, sort materials or products for processing, storing, shipping, or grading, inspect metal, plastic, or composite products, read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements. In general, for the Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, operation Monitoring, operation and Control, monitoring, quality Control Analysis and other 5 skills are required.

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Job Description
Education	These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related Experience	Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Example	These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.

The following chart shows the education/training levels for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic jobs. 67.36% of Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 16.42% of Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic have Post-Secondary Certificate.

Less than a High School Diploma

8.73%

High School Diploma (or the equivalent)

67.36%

Post-Secondary Certificate

16.42%

Some College Courses

7.49%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

0.00%

Bachelor's Degree and Above

0.00%

Tasks and Work Activities of Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers.
Examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws.
Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances.
Load workpieces, plastic material, or chemical solutions into machines.
Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data.
Test and adjust machine speeds or actions, according to product specifications, using gauges and hand tools.
Install, align, and lock specified punches, dies, cutting blades, or other fixtures in rams or beds of machines, using gauges, templates, feelers, shims, and hand tools.
Clean and lubricate machines.
Position, align, and secure workpieces against fixtures or stops on machine beds or on dies.
Scribe reference lines on workpieces as guides for cutting operations, according to blueprints, templates, sample parts, or specifications.
Set blade tensions, heights, and angles to perform prescribed cuts, using wrenches.
Adjust ram strokes of presses to specified lengths, using hand tools.
Place workpieces on cutting tables, manually or using hoists, cranes, or sledges.
Position guides, stops, holding blocks, or other fixtures to secure and direct workpieces, using hand tools and measuring devices.
Thread ends of metal coils from reels through slitters and secure ends on recoilers.
Turn valves to start flow of coolant against cutting areas or to start airflow that blows cuttings away from kerfs.
Set stops on machine beds, change dies, and adjust components, such as rams or power presses, when making multiple or successive passes.
Lubricate workpieces with oil.
Replace defective blades or wheels, using hand tools.

Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Performing General Physical ActivitiesPerforming physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
Sort materials or products for processing, storing, shipping, or grading.
Inspect metal, plastic, or composite products.
Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
Load materials into production equipment.
Operate cutting equipment.
Record operational or production data.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure that products are not flawed.
Inspect production equipment.
Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
Clean production equipment.
Lubricate production equipment.
Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly.
Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications.
Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
Set equipment guides, stops, spacers, or other fixtures.
Feed materials or products into or through equipment.

Skills and Abilities for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Reaction TimeThe ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
Multilimb CoordinationThe ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Trunk StrengthThe ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Rate ControlThe ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Depth PerceptionThe ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.

Abrasive drumse.g. Abrasive wheels
Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable hand wrenches
Hex keyse.g. Allen wrenches
Anvilse.g. Anvils
Power grinderse.g. Bench grinders
Tracer or duplicating or contouring lathee.g. Bench lathes
Metal shearing machinee.g. Blanking presses
C clampse.g. C clamps
Claw hammere.g. Claw hammers
Cleaning scraperse.g. Cleaning scrapers
Squarese.g. Combination squares
Mainframe console or dumb terminalse.g. Computer terminals
Open die forging presse.g. Computerized numerical control CNC turret punching machines
Punching plierse.g. Core cutters
Bending machinese.g. Crimping machines
Cutting machinese.g. Cutting machines
Caliperse.g. Dial calipers
Open die forging presse.g. Die cutting presses
Micrometerse.g. Digital micrometers
Feeler gaugese.g. Feeler gauges

MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Occupation Detailed Description

Tasks and Work Activities of Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Skills and Abilities for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic