What Do Coating Machine Operators Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Coating Machine Operators set up, operate, or tend machines to coat or paint any of a wide variety of products, including glassware, cloth, ceramics, metal, plastic, paper, or wood, with lacquer, silver, copper, rubber, varnish, glaze, enamel, oil, or rust-proofing materials. They also select appropriate coatings, paints, or sprays, or prepare them by mixing substances according to formulas, using automated paint mixing equipment.

Other tasks include:

• Hold or position spray guns to direct spray onto articles.
• Fill hoppers, reservoirs, troughs, or pans with material used to coat, paint, or spray, using conveyors or pails.
• Thread or feed items or products through or around machine rollers and dryers.
• Weigh or measure chemicals, coatings, or paints before adding them to machines.
• Start and stop operation of machines, using levers or buttons.
• Set up and operate machines to paint or coat products with such materials as silver and copper solution, rubber, paint, glaze, oil, or rustproofing materials.

We asked Coating Machine Operators how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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51% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 42% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Coating Machine Operators perform test runs to ensure that equipment is set up properly. They set up and operate machines to paint or coat products with such materials as silver and copper solution, rubber, paint, glaze, oil, or rustproofing materials.

A typical day for a Coating, Painting and Spraying Machine Setter, Operator and Tender will also include:

• Operate auxiliary machines or equipment used in coating or painting processes.
• Examine, measure, weigh, or test sample products to ensure conformance to specifications.
• Observe machine gauges and equipment operation to detect defects or deviations from standards, and make adjustments as necessary.
• Hold or position spray guns to direct spray onto articles.
• Select appropriate coatings, paints, or sprays, or prepare them by mixing substances according to formulas, using automated paint mixing equipment.

We asked some Coating Machine Operators a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	18% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	40% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	70% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	7% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	19% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	40% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Coating Machine Operators also transfer completed items or products from machines to drying or storage areas, using handcarts, handtrucks, or cranes. They may also prepare and apply stencils, computer-generated decals, or other decorative items to finished products.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Coating Machine Operators Remove materials, parts, or workpieces from painting or coating machines, using hand tools. They might also Paint small items and perform touch-up painting, using paint brushes.

In addition, they Thread or feed items or products through or around machine rollers and dryers.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Place items or products on feedracks, spindles, or reel strands to coat, paint, or spray them, using hands, hoists, or truck lifts.

To some Coating Machine Operators, it is also their responsibility to Record operational data on specified forms.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Coating, Painting and Spraying Machine Setter, Operator and Tender, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

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