Molding Machine Operator Job Description

The Molding Machine Operator sets up, operates, or tends metal or plastic molding, casting, or core making machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.

Duties

The Molding Machine Operator observes continuous operation of automatic machines to ensure that products meet specifications and to detect jams or malfunctions, making adjustments as necessary. The Molding Machine Operator measures and visually inspects products for surface and dimension defects in order to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments. The Molding Machine Operator sets up, operates, or tends metal or plastic molding, casting, or core making machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products. The Molding Machine Operator positions and secures work pieces on machines, and starts feeding mechanisms. The Molding Machine Operator turns valves and dials of machines to regulate pressure, temperature, and speed and feed rates, and to set cycles times. The Molding Machine Operator removes finished or cured products from dies or molds, using hand tools, air hoses and other equipment, stamp identifying information on products when necessary.

The Molding Machine Operator skims or pours dross, slag, or impurities from molten metal, using ladles, rakes, hoes, spatulas, or spoons. The Molding Machine Operator trims excess material from parts, using knives, and grinds scrap plastic into powder for reuse. The Molding Machine Operator cools products after processing to prevent distortion. The Molding Machine Operator must install dies onto machines or presses, then coat dies with parting agents, according to work order specifications. The Molding Machine Operator needs knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Skills

The Molding Machine Operator needs the skill to conduct tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance. The Molding Machine Operator controls operations of equipment or systems. The Molding Machine Operator must give full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. The Molding Machine Operator needs the skill to monitor performance of you, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. The Molding Machine Operator needs the skill to determine causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it. The Molding Machine Operator needs the skill to teach others how to do something pertaining to the job function. The Molding Machine Operator watches gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. The Molding Machine Operator selects and uses training methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning and teaching new things. The Molding Machine Operator must understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem solving and decision making.

Abilities

• The Molding Machine Operator needs the ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
• The Molding Machine Operator needs the ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
• The Molding Machine Operator needs the ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
• The Molding Machine Operator needs the ability to coordinate two or more limbs for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm while sitting, standing or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
• The Molding Machine Operator needs the ability to see details at close range within a few feet of the observer.
• The Molding Machine Operator needs the ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
• The Molding Machine Operator needs the ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without giving out or fatiguing.
• The Molding Machine Operator needs the ability to time your movements or the movements of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
• The Molding Machine Operator needs the ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
• The Molding Machine Operator needs the ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.