Paper machine operator

Paper machine operators tend a machine that takes in pulp slurry, spread it out over a screen, and drains out the water. The drained slurry is then pressed and dried to produce paper.

Paper machine operators typically do the following:

• operate processing machines
• remove metals and plastics from recycled materials
• oversee the production process
• check for damaged or sub-standard paper
• store and load paper products ready for delivery

Paper machine operators work in paper factories. Their working environment is often noisy, hot and humid. They need to wear protective clothing.

The following job titles also refer to paper machine operator:

paper making machine technician
paper maker
paper machine technician
paper machine hand
paper making machine operator
paper machine specialist
paper making machine specialist
paper-making machine specialist
paper-making machine operator
paper-making machine technician

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as a paper 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.

Paper machine operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

bleacher operator
digester operator
froth flotation deinking operator
wash deinking operator
tissue paper perforating and rewinding operator

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

pulp control operator
automated assembly line operator
paper mill supervisor
machine operator supervisor
industrial robot controller

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of paper machine 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.
• Types of pulp: Kinds of pulp are distinguished based on their fibre type and the specific chemical processes through which they were created.

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

• Operate paper press: Operate the paper shoe press, which forces the paper web between a soft rotating roller, squeezing out water that is absorbed and carried away by wet felts.
• Concentrate pulp slurry: Measure the weight and concentration of the pulp slurry for further processing and storage by using disk filters and calculating slurry density with specific formulas.
• Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report 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.
• Check paper quality: Monitor every aspect of the paper quality, such as its thickness, opacity and smoothness according to specifications and for further treatment and finishing processes.
• Monitor pulp quality: Avoid lesser quality and lower grades of recycled paper and pulp by keeping an eye open for stickies, plastics, colour, unbleached fibres, brightness, and dirt.
• 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.
• Operate headbox: Set up the part of the paper machine injecting the pulp solution between two rotating wires into the gap former, which drains the excess water and turns the pulp into a continuous web of paper.
• Monitor paper reel: Overview the jumbo paper reel, which winds the paper at the right tension onto a core.
• 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.
• Operate paper drying cylinders: Set up and monitor the heated rollers that move the paper sheet forwards while drying it.
• Apply paper coating: Operate coaters and size presses, which apply pigments, starches, and chemicals to the surface of the paper in order to improve some of its characteristics, such as resistance and printing quality.
• 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.

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

• Types of bleach: The range of bleach and others chemicals used to remove the colour from materials in a steam cooking process, adjusting the brightness and colour of the materials.
• Types of wood: Types of wood, such as birch, pine, poplar, mahogany, maple and tulipwood.

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

• Tend bleacher: Add the required amount of bleaching substances and additives and operate the bleaching part of the paper machine, which bleaches the pulp with liquid and solid chemicals, removing any remaining lignin and other impurities.
• 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 hazardous waste: Dispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.
• 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.
• Carry out waste water treatment: Perform waste water treatment according to regulations checking for biological waste and chemical waste.
• 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.
• 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.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.

8171 – Pulp and papermaking plant operators

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References

1. Paper machine operator – ESCO
2. Paper maker | Explore careers – National Careers Service
3. Featured image: By OSU Special Collections & Archives : Commons – St. Helens Pulp and Paper Company, No restrictions