Laminating machine operator

Laminating machine operators tend a machine that applies a plastic layer to paper to strengthen it and protect it from wetness and stains.

The following job titles also refer to laminating machine operator:

laminating machine technician
coter
coating machine specialist
laminater
papermaking laminate coating machine technician
laminator operator
laminator technician
laminating assistant
laminator specialist
paper making laminate coating machine operator
laminating machine specialist

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a laminating machine 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.

Laminating machine operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

• Types of laminators: The different kinds of laminating machines, such as the pouch, heated roll, and cold roll laminator. A pouch laminator fixes plastic layers on two sides of the paper in a heating and gluing process, where a cold roll laminator uses a plastic roll to coat the paper. The heated roll laminator uses heat rollers to melt the lamination film on the paper with glue.
• 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 laminating machine operator.

• Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
• Operate laminating machine: Set up and start the lamination process, where a sheet of paper is inserted in a machine and slid through two rolls on metal bars (‘mandrels’), where a plastic film is added. These processes also involve heating and gluing.
• 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 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.
• Read job ticket instructions: Understand instructions from the cards accompanying job orders and set up or run the machine based on these statements.
• 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.
• Produce samples: Take a sample from the manufacturing machine, present it to a supervisor, make sure the right adjustments are made and quality or company standards are met.

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

• Printed goods processes: The various types and characteristics of producing printed goods such as catalogues, flyers, etc.

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

• Follow a brief: Interpret and meet requirements and expectations, as discussed and agreed upon with the customers.
• 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.
• Make folding styles: Read the folding package or ticket information and decide on a folding style, adjusting the page to the width of the folding depth.
• 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.
• 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.
• Clean equipment: Perform cleaning routines after equipment use.
• Prepare production reports: Prepare a comprehensive and unbiased report on wood technology production and progressive development of wood based materials.
• Consult technical resources: Read and interpret such 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.
• Prevent paper jams: Overlook the insertion and output of finished products in order to prevent paper jams.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Operate collating machine: Set up and monitor the machine that automatically sorts the different pages of documents.
• Operate creasing machinery: Feed material squarely into the machine and check that the position of cuts and creases is correct, without damage. Produce a sample to match required standards and to possibly make adjustments.

8171 – Pulp and papermaking plant operators

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References

1. Laminating machine operator – ESCO