Corrugator operator

Corrugator operators tend a machine which folds a sheet of heavy paper in a wave-like pattern and covers it on both sides to create a lightweight, sturdy material suitable for packaging.

The following job titles also refer to corrugator operator:

carton machine technician
corrugated paperboard maker
corrugated paper maker
corrugating machine technician
cardboard machine operator
corrugator operative
corrugating machine specialist
carton machine operator
corrugator specialist
carton machine specialist
corrugator technician
corrugator worker

A high school diploma is generally the minimum required to work as a corrugator 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.

Corrugator operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

paperboard products assembler
absorbent pad machine operator
print folding operator
laminating machine operator
nailing machine operator

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

pulp control operator
automated assembly line operator
industrial robot controller
plastic and rubber products manufacturing supervisor
machine operator supervisor

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

• Flute sizes: Flute sizes refer to the number of flutes per linear foot and its thickness. Flutes are the waves and arches on a corrugated box and make up the structure of corrugated paperboard, giving it rigidity and strength.
• Types of paper: The different criteria used to determine differences in paper types such as coarseness and thickness, and the different fabrication methods and wood types from which the types of paper stem.
• Quality standards: The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.

These skills are necessary for the role of corrugator operator.

• Operate corrugator: Set up and monitor the machine that corrugates face paperboard to form corrugated paperboard material for containers. The machine runs paper sheets through splices and corrugating rolls, where steam and heat is applied and flutes are formed. Glue is applied and the flute is fused with two lineboards to produce a single corrugated board.
• Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
• Perform test run: Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
• Work safely with machines: Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.
• Wear appropriate protective gear: Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
• Monitor conveyor belt: Monitor the flow of the work pieces on the conveyor belt as they are processed by the machine to ensure optimal productivity.
• Monitor automated machines: Continuously check up on the automated machine’s set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.
• Monitor paper reel: Overview the jumbo paper reel, which winds the paper at the right tension onto a core.
• Supply machine: Ensure the machine is fed the necessary and adequate materials and control the placement or automatic feed and retrieval of work pieces in the machines or machine tools on the production line.
• Set up the controller of a machine: Set up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.

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

• Styles of boxes: Different styles of boxes in Europe. These are defined by a 4-digit code and specified by the European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers (FEFCO). The styles are more an example of complicated and special box designs.
• Printing on large scale machines: Methods, processes, and restrictions related to printing on machines that produce large quantities and sizes of graphic print materials.
• Types of boxes: The field of information which distinguishes different kinds of boxes, based upon sets of flaps and telescope box sections. Fabricate the Regular Slotted Container (RSC, and other slotted ones) the most common box style, where the flaps are all of the same length, and major flaps meet in the middle while minor flaps don’t.

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

• Keep sheet records: Record numbers of a specific sheet cut sequence by placing serial numbers on stock cut and issued revenue stamps.
• Mix ink: Tend a computer-guided dispenser that mixes different shades of ink to obtain the desired colour.
• Inspect quality of products: Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
• Replace filled pallets: Replace the pallets already filled with slabs with empty ones, using a lifting machine.
• Record production data for quality control: Keep records of the machine’s faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.
• Maintain recycling records: Maintain records and process facts and figures about type and volume of different recycling operations.
• Replace sawing blade on machine: Replace the old blade of a sawing machine with a new one by removing the chip brush, taking away the front blade guide, loosening the blade tension and removing the blade. Assemble and install new blade by replacing the front blade guide, installing the chip brush, replacing the blade cover and adjusting blade tension.
• Pack goods: Pack different kinds of goods such as finished manufactured products or goods in use. Pack goods by hand in boxes, bags and other types of containers.
• Operate paper folding machine: Perform folder operations, such as setting up and adjusting the feeder for delivery. Prepare the folder machine for special processes like perforating, scoring, trimming, softening, and binding of paper products.
• Adjust properties of cut: Adjust cut sizes and depths of cutting tools. Adjust heights of worktables and machine-arms.
• Perform machine maintenance: Perform regular maintenance, possibly including corrections and alterations, on a machine or machine tool to ensure it remains in a proper productive state.
• Prepare production reports: Prepare reports on wood technology production and progressive development of wood based materials.
• Coordinate shipments of recycling materials: Coordinate and oversee shipments of recycling materials. Communicate with processing companies and shipping brokers.
• Consult technical resources: Read and interpret technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.
• 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.
• Operate hoists: Operate hoists in order to lift or lower loads.
• Test edge crush: Use the Mullen Test or Edge Crush Test to determine the stacking or crushing of a piece of corrugated board, testing the force or weight needed to crush the containerboard standing on an edge.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Tend metal fastener machine: Operate a machine that cuts metal fasteners from corrugated metal stripping and drive fasteners into boards to fasten paperboards together. Position the metal stripping spool onto the machine spindle and thread end of the stripping between clamps of the automatic driver-head feed.
• Operate die-cut machines: Operate machinery to cut paper products into a pattern, which is folded and glued into a certain shape.

8143 – Paper products machine operators

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References

1. Corrugator operator – ESCO