Coagulation operator

Coagulation operators control machines to coagulate synthetic rubber latex into rubber crumb slurry. They prepare these rubber crumbs for finishing processes. Coagulation operators examine the appearance of the crumbs and adjust the operation of filters, shaker screens and hammer mills to remove moisture from the rubber crumbs.

The following job titles also refer to coagulation operator:

latex coagulation worker
rubber production process machine worker
rubber production process machine operative
coagulation operative
latex coagulation operator
latex coagulation operative
rubber coagulation operative
rubber production process machine operator
rubber coagulation operator
rubber coagulation worker
coagulation worker
rubber production process operator

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as a coagulation operator.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Coagulation operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to coagulation operator.

rubber dipping machine operator
paint mixer
V-belt finisher
slate mixer
chemical mixer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of coagulation operator. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of coagulation operator with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

air separation plant operator
gas station operator
automated assembly line operator
chemical processing plant controller
plastic and rubber products manufacturing supervisor

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of coagulation operator.

• Personal protective equipment: Types of protective materials and equipment foreseen for various types of tasks such as general or specialised cleaning activities.
• Synthetic materials: The production and characteristics of synthetic materials such as synthetic fibres, synthetic paper, synthetic resins or synthetic rubber.
• Pneumatics: The application of pressurised gas to produce mechanical motion.

These skills are necessary for the role of coagulation operator.

• Monitor tank thermometer: Monitor the tank in order to prevend explosion or decomposition due to an accumulation of heat.
• Optimise production processes parameters: Optimise and maintain the parameters of the production process such as flow, temperature or pressure.
• Tend coagulation tanks: Tend coagulation equipments and machinery such as hammer mills, soap conversion tanks, screens or leach tanks making sure that the coagulation process is according to specifications.
• Process latex mixtures: Process latex mixtures using control panels in order to obtain rubber products such as foam rubber sheets, balloons or finger cots.
• Weigh materials: Weigh materials and products, record weight and other relevant data on tags or labels.
• Operate precision measuring equipment: Measure the size of a processed part when checking and marking it to check if it is up to standard by use of two and three dimensional precision measuring equipment such as a caliper, a micrometer, and a measuring gauge.
• Develop rubber crumb slurry: Develop crumb slurry out of coagulated synthetic rubber latex by preparing the rubber crumbs for finishing.
• Use personal protection equipment: Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
• Segregate raw materials: Segregate into batches the raw materials to be further processed.
• Avoid contamination: Avoid the mixing or contamination of materials.
• Operate latex transfer pump: Operate the pump which transfers latex into mixing tanks, making sure the density of the obtained latex is according to specification.
• Report defective manufacturing materials: Maintain required company records and forms in order to report any defective materials or questionable conditions of manufacturing machinery and equipment.
• Extract fatty acid: Extract fatty acid obtained through the conversion of creamy latex into coagulated slurry which is further processed in the soap conversion tanks.
• Fill the mixing tank: Fill the mixing tank with the chemical ingredients, allowing also the water through the valves at the indicated mark on the tank wall.
• Operate pneumatic conveyor chutes: Use air-conveyor chutes to transfer products or mixtures from containers to storage tanks.
• Monitor valves: Monitor and accordingly adjust the valves in order to allow a specific amount of liquids (such as ammonia sulfuric acid or viscous soap) or steam into the mixer or machine.
• Measure materials: Measure the raw materials prior to their loading in the mixer or in machines, ensuring they conform with the specifications.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of coagulation operator. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of coagulation operator. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Inspect paint quality: Inspect paint to ensure it is of a good quality by testing the viscosity, homogeneity and other factors.
• Operate pumping equipment: Operate pumping equipment; oversee gas and oil transport from wellheads to refineries or storage facilities.
• Adjust the rubber machines: Set up the rubber machines as required by specifications, regulating their speed, pressure and temperature.
• Change soap filter: Change the soap filter from the plodder machine by unbolting the filter cap, inspecting it and replacing it according to specifications.
• Monitor environmental parameters: Check the impact of manufacturing machinery on the environment, analysing temperature levels, water quality and air pollution.
• Manipulate rubber: Manipulate the shape, properties and size of raw rubber material.
• Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
• Monitor storage space: Supervise and organise the area in which products are stored.
• Mix ingredients with latex: Mix the specified compounds together with latex by using the agitators.
• Operate rubber mixing machine: Operate the internal mixer and the Two Roll Mill used for raw materials mixing, aiming to have as output dry rubber products.
• Analyse latex samples: Analyse the already weighted samples of latex in order to check if the specified parameters, such as density, are according to the formula.
• Operate hydraulic pumps: Operate hydraulic pumping systems.
• Write batch record documentation: Write reports on the manufactured batches history taking into account the raw data, tests performed and compliance to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) of each batch of product.
• Prepare rubber materials: Prepare and place correctly the rubber materials in order to be assembled.
• Select material to process: Perform the selection of the proper materials to be processed, ensuring they are according to specifications.
• Adjust solutions’ consistency: Adjust the consistency of a chemical solution by cooking it or by injecting steam in order to dissolve it.
• Clean mixer: Perform the cleaning of mixers in order to prepare them for mixing different types of compounds.

8141 – Rubber products machine operators

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References

1. Coagulation operator – ESCO