Dry press operator

Dry press operators press dry tempered clay or silica into bricks and other shapes. They select and fix the pressing dies, using rule and wenches. Dry press operators remove the bricks from the press machine and stack them in a specified pattern on the kiln car.

The following job titles also refer to dry press operator:

dry press tender
brick presser
dry-press operator
presser
brick & tile dry press operator
brick and tile dry press operator
dry press worker

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a dry press 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.

Dry press operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

auger press operator
lime kiln operator
cake press operator
V-belt finisher
brick and tile caster

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

plastic and rubber products manufacturing supervisor
air separation plant operator
chemical processing plant controller
desalination technician
chemical plant control room operator

These skills are necessary for the role of dry press operator.

• Optimise production processes parameters: Optimise and maintain the parameters of the production process such as flow, temperature or pressure.
• Transfer bricks: Transfer bricks from the dry-press to the kiln car, stacking them according to specifications.
• Monitor gauge: Oversee the data presented by a gauge concerning the measurement of pressure, temperature, thickness of a material, and others.
• Use wrenches: Use spanners to adjust machinery and equipment.
• Tend dry-press: Tend the dry-press machines used to transform clay or silica into bricks.
• Replace die: Evaluate if a replacement of the die of a machine is deemed beneficial and take the necessary actions for replacing it either manually (depending on its size, by the use of a manual lifting tackle) or mechanically.
• 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 dry press operator. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Various types of sand: Types of sand materials and their composition, physical characteristics, use cases and possible issues.
• Types of pottery material: Types of clays and mud and their appearance, properties, reaction to fire, etc.
• 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 dry press operator. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Operate brick oven: Use a brick oven used for baking, drying or heating at the right temperature.
• Replace filled pallets: Replace the pallets already filled with slabs with empty ones, using a lifting machine.
• Operate forklift: Operate a forklift, a vehicle with a pronged device in front for lifting and carrying heavy loads.
• Manage waste: Manage or dispose of significant amounts of waste materials or hazardous materials. Ensure required licenses and permits are in place and reasonable management practices, industry standards, or commonly accepted farming practices followed.
• Stack empty pallets: Deposit empty pallets in the designed location.
• Feed hoppers: Feed hoppers with the required materials using various tools such as lifting equipment or shovels.
• Clean moulds: Clean the mould using water, grease or oil, washing and scraping them by hand.
• Load pallets: Ability to load and unload pallets on vehicles in a safe way.

8181 – Glass and ceramics plant operators

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References

1. Dry press operator – ESCO