Paper cutter operator

Paper cutter operators tend a machine that cuts paper to the desired size and shape. Paper cutters may also cut and perforate other materials that come in sheets, such as metal foil.

The following job titles also refer to paper cutter operator:

die cutting machine specialist
shearer technician
die cutting machine operator
paper cutting machinist
paper cutter worker
shearer specialist
paper cutting machine specialist
paper cutter technician
paper cutter specialist
die cutting machine technician
paper cutter operative
shearer operator
paper cutting machine technician
paper cutting machine operator

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

Paper cutter operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

laminating machine operator
paper stationery machine operator
print folding operator
envelope maker
paper bag machine operator

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

pulp control operator
automated assembly line operator
plastic and rubber products manufacturing supervisor
machine operator supervisor
paper mill supervisor

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

• 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.
• Sizes of paper: Different kinds of paper sizes such as folio, quarto, octavo, and sixteen-mo. Each type indicates how many times the paper has to be folded. While these are older, they are nowadays connected with ISO standards such as the A paper sizes.

These skills are necessary for the role of paper cutter operator.

• Keep sheet records: Record numbers of a specific sheet cut sequence by placing serial numbers on stock cut and issued revenue stamps.
• Lift stacks of paper: Raise and replenish heaps of sheets, pages, covers on the machine table to align edges and feed the machine input.
• 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.
• Operate paper cutter: Operate paper cutter machines used for cutting, creasing, perforating, and engraving single sheets of paper. Put a stack of paper against the knife blade, flatten the stack of paper, and adjust controls to make a certain cut.
• 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.
• Adjust paper cutter: Turn hand screws on the paper cutter to tighten the paper guide, which holds sheets, stamps, and labels in position.
• Adjust properties of cut: Adjust cut sizes and depths of cutting tools. Adjust heights of worktables and machine-arms.
• 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.
• Cut page edges: Fit the cutting template, set the guillotine, load pages and trim the edges to obtain the desired shape while keeping production quality and quantity.
• Prevent paper jams: Overlook the insertion and output of finished products in order to prevent paper jams.
• 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.

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

• 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.
• Dispose of non-hazardous waste: Dispose of waste materials which pose no risk to health and safety in a manner which complies with recycling and waste management procedures.
• 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.
• Operate perforating machine: Tend machine that perforates sheets of papers with lines of fine holes, facilitating tearing sheets. Install perforating disks in the machine and set guides to adapt the size of the sheet by using hand tools. Feed the machine and remove perforated sheets as they accumulate on the machine table.
• 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.
• Sharpen edged tools: Identify dull edges to sharp tools, or any defect in the edge. Use appropriate equipment to safely and effectively sharpen the tool. Maintain and protect sharpened tools. Report irreparable faults to the appropriate person.
• Prepare production reports: Prepare reports on wood technology production and progressive development of wood based materials.
• 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.
• 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.
• Label stamps: Cut, store, and issue revenue stamp labels.
• 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.
• Perforate printed media: Use tools to create small holes or series of holes in printed material in order to allow easy separation from designated sections of the printed output.
• 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.

8143 – Paper products machine operators

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References

1. Paper cutter operator – ESCO
2. Featured image: By Lewis Hine – U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Public Domain