Moulding machine operator

Moulding machine operators operate machines that are part of the production process of moulds for the manufacturing of castings or other moulded materials. They tend the mouldmaking machines that use the appropriate materials such as sand, plastics, or ceramics to obtain the moulding material. They may then use a pattern and one or more cores to produce the right shape impression in this material. The shaped material is then left to set, later to be used as a mould in the production of moulded products such as ferrous and non-ferrous metal castings.

The following job titles also refer to moulding machine operator:

mold maintenance technician
machine moulding worker
moulding machine operators
injection moulding machine operator
molding machine operator

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as moulding machine operator. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

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.

Moulding machine operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

mouldmaker
foundry operative
foundry moulder
sectional belt mould assembler
hand brick moulder

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of moulding 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 moulding machine operator with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

automated assembly line operator
metal production supervisor
geotechnician
motor vehicle assembly supervisor
rolling stock assembly supervisor

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

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

Construct moulds: Construct moulds for the casting of objects in plaster, clay, glass, plastic or metal. Use casting machines and materials such as rubber, plaster or fibreglass.
Select mould types: Select the appropriate type and size of mould based on the operation.
Insert mould structures: Insert mould structures using the appropriate hand tools.
Tend mouldmaking machines: Tend and monitor machines designed for mouldmaking processes, such as mixers, belt conveyors, air conveyors, grabs, and others.
Maintain moulds: Clean and repair moulds, e.g. by smoothening out imperfections on the surface.
Fill moulds: Fill up moulds with appropriate materials and ingredient mixes.
Repair mould defects: Repair mould malfunctions and damage, e.g. cracks or broken edges; use hand tools, mould boxes and patterns.
Move filled moulds: Replace filled-up moulds; understand how to load moulds into the oven and how to store filled-up moulds onto a rack.
Set up machine controls: Set up or adjust machine controls to regulate conditions such as material flow, temperature, or pressure.
Ensure mould uniformity: Oversee uniformity of moulds; use casting equipment and tools such as hand press.
Provide pouring holes in moulds: Cut spouts, runner holes, and sprue holes into moulds.
Match product moulds: Change moulds to match product specification. Run test samples and check for proper specifications.

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

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.

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

Attend to detail in casting processes: Attend in the metal processing casting work to specificities and details concerning the quality of the casting and moulds.
Maintain cores: Clean and repair cores, e.g. by smoothing out imperfections on the surface.
Repair core defects: Repair core malfunctions and damage, e.g. cracks or broken edges; use hand tools, core boxes and patterns.
Maintain core parts: Carry out minor repair tasks and maintenance of cores and core parts.
Manage time in casting processes: Work on castings with the necessary sense of timing in regards to quality, for example when measuring how long moulds must rest before they are used in further casting processes.
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.
Ensure core uniformity: Oversee uniformity of cores; use casting machinery and equipment and tools such as a hand press.
Coordinate mouldmaking shifts: Manage coordination of all activities across each mouldmaking shift.
Provide advice to technicians: Offer help and advice to service technicians in case of machine malfunctions and other repair tasks.
Mark processed workpiece: Inspect and mark parts of the workpiece to indicate how they will fit into the finished product.
Supervise work: Direct and supervise the day-to-day activities of subordinate personnel.
Insert reinforcement in mould: Insert chaplets and other kinds of reinforcing steel structures to a mould in order to fix different parts.
Follow manufacturing work schedule: Follow the planning set up by manufacturing companies’ managers exactly to ensure one production process is not delayed due to another and they follow each other smoothly.

7223 – Metal working machine tool setters and operators

References

1. Moulding machine operator – ESCO