Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Set up, operate, or tend machines to extrude or draw thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, wire, bars, or structural shapes.
How AI Impacts Each Task
16 tasks analyzed
Measure and examine extruded products to locate defects and to check for conformance to specifications, adjusting controls as necessary to alter products.
Determine setup procedures and select machine dies and parts, according to specifications.
Start machines and set controls to regulate vacuum, air pressure, sizing rings, and temperature, and to synchronize speed of extrusion.
Reel extruded products into rolls of specified lengths and weights.
Install dies, machine screws, and sizing rings on machines that extrude thermoplastic or metal materials.
Change dies on extruding machines according to production line changes.
Clean work areas.
Weigh and mix pelletized, granular, or powdered thermoplastic materials and coloring pigments.
Test physical properties of products with testing devices such as acid-bath testers, burst testers, and impact testers.
Load machine hoppers with mixed materials, using augers, or stuff rolls of plastic dough into machine cylinders.
Troubleshoot, maintain, and make minor repairs to equipment.
Maintain an inventory of materials.
Adjust controls to draw or press metal into specified shapes and diameters.
Replace worn dies when products vary from specifications.
Select nozzles, spacers, and wire guides, according to diameters and lengths of rods.
Operate shearing mechanisms to cut rods to specified lengths.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measure and examine extruded products to locate defects and to check for conformance to specifications, adjusting controls as necessary to alter products. | 75Estimated | 63.0% | 12% | |
| Determine setup procedures and select machine dies and parts, according to specifications. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 8% | |
| Start machines and set controls to regulate vacuum, air pressure, sizing rings, and temperature, and to synchronize speed of extrusion. | 70Estimated | 61.0% | 10% | |
| Reel extruded products into rolls of specified lengths and weights. | 65Estimated | 59.0% | 10% | |
| Install dies, machine screws, and sizing rings on machines that extrude thermoplastic or metal materials. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 8% | |
| Change dies on extruding machines according to production line changes. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 6% | |
| Clean work areas. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 5% | |
| Weigh and mix pelletized, granular, or powdered thermoplastic materials and coloring pigments. | 75Estimated | 63.0% | 6% | |
| Test physical properties of products with testing devices such as acid-bath testers, burst testers, and impact testers. | 62Estimated | 74.0% | 5% | |
| Load machine hoppers with mixed materials, using augers, or stuff rolls of plastic dough into machine cylinders. | 75Estimated | 63.0% | 8% | |
| Troubleshoot, maintain, and make minor repairs to equipment. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 6% | |
| Maintain an inventory of materials. | 97Estimated | 88.0% | 4% | |
| Adjust controls to draw or press metal into specified shapes and diameters. | 70Estimated | 61.0% | 4% | |
| Replace worn dies when products vary from specifications. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 3% | |
| Select nozzles, spacers, and wire guides, according to diameters and lengths of rods. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 3% | |
| Operate shearing mechanisms to cut rods to specified lengths. | 75Estimated | 63.0% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis