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

Job Description

Extruding Machine Operators 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. They also adjust machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, and temperatures, and amounts, dimensions, and flow of materials or ingredients.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• Activate machines to shape or form products, such as candy bars, light bulbs, balloons, or insulation panels.
• 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.

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

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61% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 46% 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, Extruding Machine Operators feed products into machines by hand or conveyor. They synchronize speeds of sections of machines when producing products involving several steps or processes.

A typical day for an Extruding, Forming, Pressing and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator and Tender will also include:

• Pour, scoop, or dump specified ingredients, metal assemblies, or mixtures into sections of machine prior to starting machines.
• Ignite burners to preheat products, or use torches to apply heat.
• Review work orders, specifications, or instructions to determine materials, ingredients, procedures, components, settings, and adjustments for extruding, forming, pressing, or compacting machines.
• Swab molds with solutions to prevent products from sticking.
• Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as templates, micrometers, or scales.

We asked some Extruding 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?	32% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	57% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	59% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	10% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	62% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Extruding Machine Operators also install, align, and adjust neck rings, press plungers, and feeder tubes. They may also disassemble equipment to repair it or to replace parts, such as nozzles, punches, and filters.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Extruding Machine Operators Remove molds, mold components, and feeder tubes from machinery after production is complete. They might also Clean dies, arbors, compression chambers, and molds, using swabs, sponges, or air hoses.

In addition, they Measure arbors and dies to verify sizes specified on work tickets.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Ignite burners to preheat products, or use torches to apply heat.

To some Extruding Machine Operators, it is also their responsibility to Pour, scoop, or dump specified ingredients, metal assemblies, or mixtures into sections of machine prior to starting machines.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Extruding, Forming, Pressing and Compacting 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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