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Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Occupation Detailed Description

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

The main tasks and work activities of Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders are to operate metal or plastic forming equipment, adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment, adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products, measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications. In general, for the Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, operation and Control, operation Monitoring, monitoring, speaking and other 6 skills are required.
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Job Description
EducationThese occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related ExperienceSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job TrainingEmployees 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.
ExampleThese 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 Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders jobs. 78.21% of Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 9.07% of Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.72%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
78.21%
Post-Secondary Certificate
9.07%
Some College Courses
7.77%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.33%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
3.90%

Tasks and Work Activities of Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

  • 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.
  • Feed products into machines by hand or conveyor.
  • Clear jams, and remove defective or substandard materials or products.
  • Move materials, supplies, components, and finished products between storage and work areas, using work aids such as racks, hoists, and handtrucks.
  • Swab molds with solutions to prevent products from sticking.
  • Complete work tickets, and place them with products.
  • Activate machines to shape or form products, such as candy bars, light bulbs, balloons, or insulation panels.
  • Remove molds, mold components, and feeder tubes from machinery after production is complete.
  • Remove materials or products from molds or from extruding, forming, pressing, or compacting machines, and stack or store them for additional processing.
  • Measure, mix, cut, shape, soften, and join materials and ingredients, such as powder, cornmeal, or rubber to prepare them for machine processing.
  • Send product samples to laboratories for analysis.
  • Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • 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.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
  • Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
  • Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products.
  • Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
  • Weigh finished products.
  • Inspect metal, plastic, or composite products.
  • Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
  • Adjust equipment controls to regulate coolant flow.
  • Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
  • Study blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements.
  • Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
  • Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
  • Select production equipment according to product specifications.
  • Record operational or production data.
  • Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
  • Feed materials or products into or through equipment.
  • Clear equipment jams.
  • Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.
  • Move products, materials, or equipment between work areas.
  • Apply parting agents or other solutions to molds.

Skills and Abilities for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • 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.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • 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.
  • Reaction TimeThe ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • 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).
  • Auditory AttentionThe ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • 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.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Static StrengthThe ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • 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.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Air hosese.g. Air hoses
  • Blow torche.g. Blow torches
  • Burnerse.g. Burners
  • Cement or ceramic or glass or similar material molding machinese.g. Compacting machines
  • Extruderse.g. Computer numerically controlled CNC Extruders
  • Punching plierse.g. Core cutters
  • Bench scalese.g. Digital bench scales
  • Caliperse.g. Digital calipers
  • Micrometerse.g. Digital micrometers
  • Winding or reeling or spooling machinese.g. Film winders
  • Cement or ceramic or glass or similar material molding machinese.g. Forming machines
  • Cement or ceramic or glass or similar material molding machinese.g. Glass forming machines
  • Wrapping machinerye.g. High speed wrapping machines
  • Air dryerse.g. Hopper dryers
  • Micrometerse.g. Laser micrometers
  • Templatese.g. Machine templates
  • Extruderse.g. Microwave extruders
  • Extruderse.g. Plodder machines
  • Liftse.g. Power lifts
  • Rulerse.g. Precision rulers
  • Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.