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.

Press control buttons to activate machinery and equipment.

Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as templates, micrometers, or scales.

Activate machines to shape or form products, such as candy bars, light bulbs, balloons, or insulation panels.

Monitor machine operations and observe lights and gauges to detect malfunctions.

Clear jams, and remove defective or substandard materials or products.

Notify supervisors when extruded filaments fail to meet standards.

Record and maintain production data, such as meter readings, and quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.

Select and install machine components, such as dies, molds, and cutters, according to specifications, using hand tools and measuring devices.

Review work orders, specifications, or instructions to determine materials, ingredients, procedures, components, settings, and adjustments for extruding, forming, pressing, or compacting machines.

Turn controls to adjust machine functions, such as regulating air pressure, creating vacuums, and adjusting coolant flow.

Clean dies, arbors, compression chambers, and molds, using swabs, sponges, or air hoses.

Send product samples to laboratories for analysis.

Synchronize speeds of sections of machines when producing products involving several steps or processes.

Couple air and gas lines to machines to maintain plasticity of material and to regulate solidification of final products.

Pour, scoop, or dump specified ingredients, metal assemblies, or mixtures into sections of machine prior to starting machines.

Measure, mix, cut, shape, soften, and join materials and ingredients, such as powder, cornmeal, or rubber to prepare them for machine processing.

Remove materials or products from molds or from extruding, forming, pressing, or compacting machines, and stack or store them for additional processing.

Feed products into machines by hand or conveyor.

Measure arbors and dies to verify sizes specified on work tickets.

Thread extruded strips through water tanks and hold-down bars, or attach strands to wires and draw them through tubes.

Move materials, supplies, components, and finished products between storage and work areas, using work aids such as racks, hoists, and handtrucks.

Complete work tickets, and place them with products.

Disassemble equipment to repair it or to replace parts, such as nozzles, punches, and filters.

Remove molds, mold components, and feeder tubes from machinery after production is complete.

Swab molds with solutions to prevent products from sticking.

Ignite burners to preheat products, or use torches to apply heat.

Install, align, and adjust neck rings, press plungers, and feeder tubes.