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Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic - 51-4072.00

O*NET-SOC Description

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

Core Machine Operator
Die Cast Technician
Diecast Machine Operator
Machine Operator
Mold Setter

Mold Technician
Molder
Process Technician
Production Technician

SOC Occupation Groups

51-0000	Production Occupations
51-4000	Metal Workers and Plastic Workers
51-4070	Molders and Molding Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
51-4072.00	Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Related Occupations

51-4021.00	Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
51-4022.00	Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
51-4023.00	Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
51-4031.00	Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
51-4081.00	Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
51-4111.00	Tool and Die Makers
51-4191.00	Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
51-6091.00	Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
51-9041.00	Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
51-9195.00	Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic

Tasks

Adjust equipment and workpiece holding fixtures, such as mold frames, tubs, and cutting tables, to ensure proper functioning.
Connect water hoses to cooling systems of dies, using hand tools.
Cool products after processing to prevent distortion.
Install dies onto machines or presses and coat dies with parting agents, according to work order specifications.
Inventory and record quantities of materials and finished products, requisitioning additional supplies as necessary.
Maintain inventories of materials.
Measure and visually inspect products for surface and dimension defects to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
Mix and measure compounds, or weigh premixed compounds, and dump them into machine tubs, cavities, or molds.
Observe continuous operation of automatic machines to ensure that products meet specifications and to detect jams or malfunctions, making adjustments as necessary.
Observe meters and gauges to verify and record temperatures, pressures, and press-cycle times.
Obtain and move specified patterns to work stations, manually or using hoists, and secure patterns to machines, using wrenches.
Operate hoists to position dies or patterns on foundry floors.
Perform maintenance work such as cleaning and oiling machines.
Position and secure workpieces on machines, and start feeding mechanisms.
Pour or load metal or sand into melting pots, furnaces, molds, or hoppers, using shovels, ladles, or machines.
Preheat tools, dies, plastic materials, or patterns, using blowtorches or other equipment.
Read specifications, blueprints, and work orders to determine setups, temperatures, and time settings required to mold, form, or cast plastic materials, as well as to plan production sequences.
Remove finished or cured products from dies or molds, using hand tools, air hoses, and other equipment, stamping identifying information on products when necessary.
Remove parts, such as dies, from machines after production runs are finished.
Repair or replace damaged molds, pipes, belts, chains, or other equipment, using hand tools, hand-powered presses, or jib cranes.
Select and install blades, tools, or other attachments for each operation.
Select coolants and lubricants, and start their flow.
Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.
Skim or pour dross, slag, or impurities from molten metal, using ladles, rakes, hoes, spatulas, or spoons.
Smooth and clean inner surfaces of molds, using brushes, scrapers, air hoses, or grinding wheels, and fill imperfections with refractory material.
Spray, smoke, or coat molds with compounds to lubricate or insulate molds, using acetylene torches or sprayers.
Trim excess material from parts, using knives, and grind scrap plastic into powder for reuse.
Turn valves and dials of machines to regulate pressure, temperature, and speed and feed rates, and to set cycle times.
Unload finished products from conveyor belts, pack them in containers, and place containers in warehouses.

Detailed Work Activities

Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
Apply lubricants or coolants to workpieces.
Apply parting agents or other solutions to molds.
Apply protective or decorative finishes to workpieces or products.
Clean production equipment.
Connect supply lines to production equipment or tools.
Fill cracks, imperfections, or holes in products or workpieces.
Heat material or workpieces to prepare for or complete production.
Inspect metal, plastic, or composite products.
Load items into ovens or furnaces.
Load materials into production equipment.
Lubricate production equipment.
Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
Maintain production or processing equipment.
Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.
Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
Mix substances to create chemical solutions.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure that products are not flawed.
Monitor instruments to ensure proper production conditions.
Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
Move products, materials, or equipment between work areas.
Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
Operate grinding equipment.
Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
Package products for storage or shipment.
Place materials into molds.
Record operational or production data.
Remove accessories, tools, or other parts from equipment.
Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.
Remove workpieces from molds.
Repair templates, patterns, or molds.
Replace worn equipment components.
Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
Select production equipment according to product specifications.
Select production input materials.
Set equipment guides, stops, spacers, or other fixtures.
Skim impurities from molten metal.
Smooth metal surfaces or edges.
Study blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements.
Trim excess material from workpieces.