Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Production
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-9041
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Synchronize speeds of sections of machines when producing products involving several steps or processes.
• Move materials, supplies, components, and finished products between storage and work areas, using work aids such as racks, hoists, and handtrucks.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, SAP software, Air hoses, Blow torches, Burners, Compacting machines, Computer numerically controlled CNC Extruders, Core cutters, Digital bench scales

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
• Machine Feeders and Offbearers
• Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
• Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.