Pultrusion machine operator

Pultrusion Machine Operators tend, control, and maintain machines which enable the production of composite materials with consistent cross-sections by adding reinforcement fibres such as fibreglass to the existing material and coating the resulting material with resin; this then is pulled through a heated dye where it becomes cured.

The following job titles also refer to pultrusion machine operator:

pultrusion machine operative
pultruded fibreglass product maker
pultruded fibreglass maker
pultrusion process worker
pultruded fibreglass product worker
pultrusion process operator
pultrusion process operative
thermoplastic process worker
pultruded fibreglass worker
pultrusion machine worker
reinforced fibreglass maker
pultrusion operator

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as pultrusion 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.

Pultrusion machine operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

filament winding operator
vacuum forming machine operator
fibre machine tender
fibreglass machine operator
blow moulding machine operator

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

plastic and rubber products manufacturing supervisor
automated assembly line operator
pulp control operator
air separation plant operator
gas station operator

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

Types of fibre for polymer reinforcement: Fibres used to reinforce composite materials, such as glass fibre, carbon fibre and plastic fibre. Their usage cases, costs, advantages and disadvantages, and production techniques associated with their use.
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.
Coating substances: Have knowledge of various types of coating, providing a workpiece with one or more finishing layers of resins, sugars, powders, inactive and insoluable fillers, waxes, gums, plasticisers, colouring materials, lacquer, and others.
Pultrusion process: The process where a cluster of fibre is coated in resin and forced through a mold, then cured with heat to produce a fibre-reinforced polymer.

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

Optimise production processes parameters: Optimise and maintain the parameters of the production process such as flow, temperature or pressure.
Feed glass fibre into pultrusion machine: Make sure the glass fibre material is taken in by the pultrusion machine without jams or defects.
Monitor gauge: Oversee the data presented by a gauge concerning the measurement of pressure, temperature, thickness of a material, and others.
Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
Use personal protection equipment: Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
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.
Monitor processing environment conditions: Verify that the overall conditions of the room where the process will take place, such as temperature or air humidity, meet the requirements, and adjust if necessary.
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.
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.
Control temperature: Measure and adjust temperature of a given space or object.

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

Composite materials: The properties of different materials developped in a laboratory, their usage per type of products, and how to create them.
Plastic resins: The process of heating hydrocarbons, forming and combining polymers to create plastic resins which are used to make different kinds of products.
Manufacturing of daily use goods: The manufacturing of items used in the daily life, personal use or daily practice. These products include protective safety equipment, drawing equipment, stamps, umbrellas, cigarette lighters, baskets, candles, and many other miscellaneous articles.
Polymerisation: Polymerisation is a chemical process which has as output the creation of polymers or polymeric compounds by combining smaller molecules called monomers.
Manufacturing of sports equipment: The manufacture of products and equipment used for both outdoor and indoor sports activities, such as balls, rackets, ski’s, surfboards, fishing, hunting, skating or fitness centre equipment.

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

Inspect quality of products: Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
Perform product testing: Test processed workpieces or products for basic faults.
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.
Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
Control production flow remotely: Control remotely the flow of production from the start-up operations to the shutdown of the equipments and systems, using the control panel.
Manage waste: Manage or dispose of significant amounts of waste materials or hazardous materials. Ensure required licenses and permits are in place and reasonable management practices, industry standards, or commonly accepted farming practices followed.
Clean equipment: Perform cleaning routines after equipment use.
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.
Measure materials: Measure the raw materials prior to their loading in the mixer or in machines, ensuring they conform with the specifications.

8142 – Plastic products machine operators

References

1. Pultrusion machine operator – ESCO