Extrusion machine operator

An extrusion machine operator

Description

Extrusion machine operators set up, monitor and maintain machines which heat or melt raw materials, and pull or push the heated material through a shaped die to form it into a continuous profile with a preset cross section such as tubes, pipes and sheeting. They may also clean and maintain the equipment.

Extrusion machine operators typically do the following:

  • Select machine dies.
  • Determine setup procedures.
  • Draw or press metal into shapes and diameters.
  • Reel extruded products into rolls.
  • Specify lengths and weights of rolls.
  • Replace worn dies.
  • Set controls to regulate vacuum, air pressure, sizing rings, and temperature.
  • Synchronize speed of extrusion.
  • Read and interpret blueprints and drawings.
  • Locate defects on extruded products.
  • Check for conformance to specifications.
  • Adjust controls as necessary.
  • Splice cables.
  • Install, connect, test, and adjust equipment.
  • String lines or install terminal boxes.
  • Clean tools.
  • Position insulation over conductors.
  • Seal splices with moisture-proof covering.
  • Access areas by climbing pols and ladders.
  • Remove excess, entangled, or completed filaments from machines.
  • Operate machines that extrude filaments from synthetic materials such as rayon, fiberglass, or liquid polymers.
  • Start metering pumps.
  • Activate and adjust extruding machines.

Working conditions

Extrusion machine operators typically work in factories or other industrial settings. They may be required to work in hot, noisy, and dirty environments. They may also be exposed to hazardous materials.

Extrusion machine operators typically work the day or night shift, although they may be required to work weekends and holidays. They may also be required to work overtime to meet production deadlines.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to extrusion machine operator:

plastic extrusion operator
extruding machine technician
extrusion machine worker
extrusion operator
extruder tender operative
extruder machine setting operative
hot extrusion press operator
extrusion machine operative
extruder machine setter
extruder operative
extruder machine tendering operator
extruder machine tender
extruding machine operator
plastic extrusion machine operator
cold extrusion press operator
extruder tender
extruder operator
extrusion machine setter
extruder operating apprentice
extrusion machine tender
extrusion press technician
metal extrusion machine operator
hot extrusion machine operator
extruder operating technician
extruder machine operator
cold extrusion machine operator
extrusion press operator

Minimum qualifications

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as extrusion machine operator. A high school diploma, or even an associate’s degree in chemistry, physics or mathematics is an asset for the role.

ISCO skill level

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.

Extrusion machine operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

Extrusion machine operator career path

Similar occupations

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

metal drawing machine operator
thread rolling machine operator
straightening machine operator
stamping press operator
metal rolling mill operator

Long term prospects

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

automated assembly line operator
pulp control operator
metal production supervisor
machine operator supervisor
metal furnace operator

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

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

  • Extrusion processes: The various processes used for extrusion, the creation of objects of a cross-sectional nature, in metalworking, such as direct extrusion, indirect extrusion, hydrostatic extrusion, hot extrusion, warm extrusion, cold extrusion, and others.
  • Dies: The qualities and applications of various kinds of dies, the different components of a die (such as the die block, punch plate, pierce punch and others) and the types of die used in specialised manufacturing processes ( such as extrusion dies, drawing dies, forming dies, cutting dies, compound dies, and others).
  • 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.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of extrusion machine operator.

  • Remove inadequate workpieces: Evaluate which deficient processed workpieces do not meet the set-up standard and should be removed and sort the waste according to regulations.
  • Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
  • Remove processed workpiece: Remove individual workpieces after processing, from the manufacturing machine or the machine tool. In case of a conveyor belt this involves quick, continuous movement.
  • Monitor moving workpiece in a machine: Monitor the processing of a workpiece in motion, such as a piece of metal or wood moved linearly over a static manufacturing machine.
  • 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.
  • Ensure equipment availability: Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

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

  • Statistical process control: Method of quality control that uses statistics to monitor processes.
  • Manufacturing of cutlery: The manufacture of different cutlery items, such as forks, spoons, knives, razors or scissors.
  • Quality and cycle time optimisation: The most optimal rotation or cycle time and over-all quality of a tool or a machine’s processes.
  • Ferrous metal processing: Various processing methods on iron and iron-containing alloys such as steel, stainless steel and pig iron.
  • Manufacturing of metal household articles: The manufacture of flatware , hollowware , dinnerware and other non-electrical utensils for use at the table or in the kitchen.
  • Metal forming technologies: The variety of technologies and techniques, such as forging, pressing, stamping, rolling and others, used for the forming processes of metal product manufacturing.
  • Types of metal: Qualities, specifications, applications and reactions to different fabricating processes of various types of metal, such as steel, aluminium, brass, copper and others.
  • Manufacturing of metal assembly products: The manufacture of rivets, washers and similar non-threaded products, screw machine products, screws, nuts and similar threaded products.
  • Types of plastic: Types of plastic materials and their chemical composition, physical properties, possible issues and usage cases.
  • Types of metal manufacturing processes: Metal processes linked to the different types of metal, such as casting processes, heat treatment processes, repair processes and other metal manufacturing processes.
  • Manufacturing of door furniture from metal: The manufacture of metal items that can be attached to a door in order to support its function and appearance. The manufacture of padlocks, locks, keys, hinges and the like, and hardware for buildings, furniture, vehicles etc.
  • Manufacturing of light metal packaging: The manufacture of tins and cans for food products, collapsible tubes and boxes, and of metallic closures.
  • Manufacturing of weapons and ammunition: The manufacture of heavy weapons (artillery, mobile guns, rocket launchers, torpedo tubes, heavy machine guns), small arms (revolvers, shotguns, light machine guns), air or gas guns and pistols, and war ammunition. Also the manufacture of hunting, sporting or protective firearms and ammunition and of explosive devices such as bombs, mines and torpedoes.
  • Manufacturing of tools: The manufacture of knives and cutting blades for machines or for mechanical appliances, hand tools such as pliers, screwdrivers etc. The manufacture of non-power-driven agricultural hand tools, saws and saw blades, including circular saw blades and chainsaw blades. The manufacture of interchangeable tools for hand tools, whether or not power-operated, or for machine tools: drills, punches, milling cutters etc. The manufacture of press tools, moulding boxes and moulds (except ingot moulds), vices and clamps, and blacksmithsโ€™ tools: forges, anvils etc.
  • Manufacturing of steam generators: The manufacture of steam or other vapour generators, the manufacture of auxiliary plant for use with steam generators: condensers, economisers, superheaters, steam collectors and accumulators. The manufacture of nuclear reactors, parts for marine or power boilers. Also the production of pipe system construction comprising further processing of tubes generally to make pressure pipes or pipe systems together with the associated design and construction work.

Optional skills and competences

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

  • Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
  • Monitor gauge: Oversee the data presented by a gauge concerning the measurement of pressure, temperature, thickness of a material, and others.
  • Record production data for quality control: Keep records of the machine’s faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.
  • Perform product testing: Test processed workpieces or products for basic faults.
  • Monitor stock level: Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
  • Tend cold extrusion machine: Tend an extrusion machine designed for forming cold metal whilst right below its recrystallisation temperature, monitor and operate it, according to regulations.
  • 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.
  • Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
  • Use CAM software: Use computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programmes to control machinery and machine tools in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation as part of the manufacturing processes of workpieces.
  • 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.
  • Provide advice to technicians: Offer advice to service technicians in case of machinery malfunctions and other technical repair tasks.
  • Mark processed workpiece: Inspect and mark parts of the workpiece to indicate how they will fit into the finished product.
  • Tend hot extrusion machine: Tend an extrusion machine designed for forming hot metal whilst right above its recrystallisation temperature, monitor and operate it, according to regulations.
  • Check quality of raw materials: Check the quality of basic materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished goods by assessing some of its characteristics and, if needed, select samples to be analysed.
  • Program a CNC controller: Set up the desired product design in the CNC controller of the CNC machine for product manufacturing.
  • Operate lifting equipment: Transport heavy objects using lifting equipment such as cranes, forklifts etc.
  • Interpret geometric dimensions and tolerances: Understand and assess the models and symbolic language of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) systems indicating engineering tolerances.

ISCO group and title

8121 – Metal processing plant operators


References
  1. ESCO
  2. Extruding Machine Operator Job Description | LocalJobNetwork.com
  3. Extrusion Operator Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – ClimbtheLadder
  4. Featured image: By Lowe, Jet, creator – https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/al1142.photos.046525p, Public Domain
Last updated on July 3, 2022

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