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

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Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life

Extruding And Drawing Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic

Extruding And Drawing Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic set up, operate, or tend machines to extrude or draw thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, wire, bars, or structural shapes.

Salary
$38990
Becoming One
Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality



Job Description

Job Description

Extruding Machine Operators set up, operate, or tend machines to extrude or draw thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, wire, bars, or structural shapes. They also measure and examine extruded products to locate defects and to check for conformance to specifications, adjusting controls as necessary to alter products.

Other tasks include:

  • Determine setup procedures and select machine dies and parts, according to specifications.
  • Start machines and set controls to regulate vacuum, air pressure, sizing rings, and temperature, and to synchronize speed of extrusion.
  • Reel extruded products into rolls of specified lengths and weights.
  • Install dies, machine screws, and sizing rings on machines that extrude thermoplastic or metal materials.
  • Change dies on extruding machines according to production line changes.
  • Clean work areas.

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

Job satisfaction

61%

How meaningful is this job

46%


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 maintain an inventory of materials. They measure and examine extruded products to locate defects and to check for conformance to specifications, adjusting controls as necessary to alter products.

A typical day for an Extruding and Drawing Machine Setter, Operator and Tender, Metal and Plastic will also include:

  • Clean work areas.
  • Reel extruded products into rolls of specified lengths and weights.
  • Load machine hoppers with mixed materials, using augers, or stuff rolls of plastic dough into machine cylinders.
  • Test physical properties of products with testing devices such as acid-bath testers, burst testers, and impact testers.
  • Adjust controls to draw or press metal into specified shapes and diameters.

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? 8% said yes
How important is it to work in a team in this job? 34% said very important
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? 65% 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? 30% said yes
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? 86% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Extruding Machine Operators also operate shearing mechanisms to cut rods to specified lengths. They may also replace worn dies when products vary from specifications.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Extruding Machine Operators Weigh and mix pelletized, granular, or powdered thermoplastic materials and coloring pigments. They might also Reel extruded products into rolls of specified lengths and weights.

In addition, they Load machine hoppers with mixed materials, using augers, or stuff rolls of plastic dough into machine cylinders.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Install dies, machine screws, and sizing rings on machines that extrude thermoplastic or metal materials.

To some Extruding Machine Operators, it is also their responsibility to Determine setup procedures and select machine dies and parts, according to specifications.


Working life

Working hours

More than 40 hours per week

Working schedule

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Extruding and Drawing Machine Setter, Operator and Tender, Metal and Plastic, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Do Extruding Machine Operators work in an office-style work environment?

Never
63%


Every day
37%


Do Extruding Machine Operators work outdoors?

Never
78%


Once a year
13%



Is this right for me

Best personality for this career

The Builders and The Organizers

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.



Learn more about Extruding And Drawing Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic

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Related to Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Job Description

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Additional resources

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/metal-and-plastic-machine-workers.htm
http://www.fmanet.org/
http://www.amtonline.org/
http://www.ntma.org/


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