National

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

Sample of reported job titles: Machine Operator, Production Technician, Process Technician, Injection Press Operator, Die Cast Technician, Press Operator, Core Machine Operator, Eight Arm Operator, Cup Fabricating Machine Operator, Cup Operator

Tasks

• Observe continuous operation of automatic machines to ensure that products meet specifications and to detect jams or malfunctions, making adjustments as necessary.
• Measure and visually inspect products for surface and dimension defects in order to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
• Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.
• Position and secure workpieces on machines, and start feeding mechanisms.
• Turn valves and dials of machines to regulate pressure, temperature, and speed and feed rates, and to set cycle times.
• Remove finished or cured products from dies or molds, using hand tools, air hoses and other equipment; stamp identifying information on products when necessary.
• Skim or pour dross, slag, or impurities from molten metal, using ladles, rakes, hoes, spatulas, or spoons.
• Trim excess material from parts, using knives, and grind scrap plastic into powder for reuse.
• Cool products after processing to prevent distortion.
• Install dies onto machines or presses, then coat dies with parting agents, according to work order specifications.

51-4011.00	Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic
51-4031.00	Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
51-4033.00	Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
51-4081.00	Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
51-4122.00	Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
51-4191.00	Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
51-4193.00	Plating and Coating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
51-6091.00	Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
51-7042.00	Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
51-9032.00	Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders