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Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders - 51-9041.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

Extruder Operator
Extrusion Operator
Glass Forming Crew Member

Machine Operator
Press Operator
Tuber Operator

SOC Occupation Groups

51-0000	Production Occupations
51-9000	Other Production Occupations
51-9040	Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
51-9041.00	Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Related Occupations

51-4023.00	Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
51-4072.00	Molding, Coremaking, and Casting 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
51-9021.00	Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
51-9032.00	Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
51-9111.00	Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders Bright Outlook
51-9191.00	Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
51-9196.00	Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
53-7063.00	Machine Feeders and Offbearers

Tasks

Activate machines to shape or form products, such as candy bars, light bulbs, balloons, or insulation panels.
Adjust machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, and temperatures, and amounts, dimensions, and flow of materials or ingredients.
Clean dies, arbors, compression chambers, and molds, using swabs, sponges, or air hoses.
Clear jams, and remove defective or substandard materials or products.
Complete work tickets, and place them with products.
Couple air and gas lines to machines to maintain plasticity of material and to regulate solidification of final products.
Disassemble equipment to repair it or to replace parts, such as nozzles, punches, and filters.
Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as templates, micrometers, or scales.
Feed products into machines by hand or conveyor.
Ignite burners to preheat products, or use torches to apply heat.
Install, align, and adjust neck rings, press plungers, and feeder tubes.
Measure arbors and dies to verify sizes specified on work tickets.
Measure, mix, cut, shape, soften, and join materials and ingredients, such as powder, cornmeal, or rubber to prepare them for machine processing.
Monitor machine operations and observe lights and gauges to detect malfunctions.
Move materials, supplies, components, and finished products between storage and work areas, using work aids such as racks, hoists, and handtrucks.
Notify supervisors when extruded filaments fail to meet standards.
Pour, scoop, or dump specified ingredients, metal assemblies, or mixtures into sections of machine prior to starting machines.
Press control buttons to activate machinery and equipment.
Record and maintain production data, such as meter readings, and quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.
Remove materials or products from molds or from extruding, forming, pressing, or compacting machines, and stack or store them for additional processing.
Remove molds, mold components, and feeder tubes from machinery after production is complete.
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.
Send product samples to laboratories for analysis.
Swab molds with solutions to prevent products from sticking.
Synchronize speeds of sections of machines when producing products involving several steps or processes.
Thread extruded strips through water tanks and hold-down bars, or attach strands to wires and draw them through tubes.
Turn controls to adjust machine functions, such as regulating air pressure, creating vacuums, and adjusting coolant flow.

Detailed Work Activities

Adjust equipment controls to regulate coolant flow.
Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products.
Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly.
Apply parting agents or other solutions to molds.
Clean production equipment.
Clear equipment jams.
Connect supply lines to production equipment or tools.
Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing.
Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair.
Feed materials or products into or through equipment.
Ignite fuel to activate heating equipment.
Inspect metal, plastic, or composite products.
Load materials into production equipment.
Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.
Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
Measure ingredients or substances to be used in production processes.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
Move products, materials, or equipment between work areas.
Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
Record operational or production data.
Record production information.
Remove accessories, tools, or other parts from equipment.
Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.
Remove workpieces from molds.
Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
Select production equipment according to product specifications.
Send information, materials or documentation.
Stack finished items for further processing or shipment.
Study blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements.
Weigh finished products.