Rubber products machine operator

Rubber products machine operators operate machines which knead, blend, calender, mould, extrude and cure rubber products from natural and synthetic rubber. They measure the ingredients for mixing and load them into the machine. Rubber products machine operators monitor and control the temperature, pressure and speed during production.

The duties of rubber products machine operators include:

• operating and monitoring machines which knead, mix and blend rubber and rubber compounds for further processing;
• operating and monitoring machines which produce sheets of rubber or rubberized fabric by a rolling process;
• operating and monitoring machines which extrude compounded rubber or shape vulcanized rubber by moulding;
• operating and monitoring machines which build up tyres on a form, vulcanize tyres and mould or rebuild used tyres;
• examining outputs for defects and conformity to specifications;
• locating defects and repairing worn and faulty tyres by vulcanizing or other processes.

Work is performed in a processing environment where safety measures must be followed to prevent injury from machinery, tools, heat, and airborne particles.

Rubber products machine operators are employed full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week. Because many manufacturers run their machinery for extended periods, evening and weekend work is also common.

The following job titles also refer to rubber products machine operator:

rubber products machine operative
rubber processing machine operator
rubber production operative
rubber process machine operator
calender machine operator
cure operator
rubber-products machine operator
rubber processing machine operative
rubber products machine minder
rubber products machine worker
banbury operator
rubber process machine operative
rubber production operator

In general, there is no need of formal educational credential to work as rubber products machine operator. However, depending on the precise type of work, some employers may require a high school diploma or a vocational education in specific areas.

CNC tool programmers usually need coursework beyond high school.

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.

Rubber products machine operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

lacquer maker
varnish maker
concrete products machine operator
nailing machine operator
absorbent pad machine operator

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

automated assembly line operator
pulp control operator
quality engineering technician
material testing technician
plastic and rubber products manufacturing supervisor

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

• 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 rubber products machine operator.

• Optimise production processes parameters: Optimise and maintain the parameters of the production process such as flow, temperature or pressure.
• Adjust the rubber machines: Set up the rubber machines as required by specifications, regulating their speed, pressure and temperature.
• 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.
• Monitor rubber processing conditions: Oversee the production parameters and conditions, making sure the rubber products quality is as expected.
• Avoid contamination: Avoid the mixing or contamination of materials.
• Select material to process: Perform the selection of the proper materials to be processed, ensuring they are according to specifications.
• Fill the rubber processing machine: Load the processing machine with the correct raw or semi-processed materials such as rubber, pigment or other chemicals according to the formula specification.
• Measure materials: Measure the raw materials prior to their loading in the mixer or in machines, ensuring they conform with the specifications.

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

• Quality and cycle time optimisation: The most optimal rotation or cycle time and over-all quality of a tool or a machine’s processes.

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

• Ensure compliance with environmental legislation: Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are compliant with environment regulations and best practices.
• Perform laboratory tests: Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.
• Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
• Add colour: Add the required colour according to specifications for tinting batch.
• 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.
• Record production data for quality control: Keep records of the machine’s faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.
• Record test data: Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
• Manage delivery of raw materials: Receive raw materials from the suppliers. Check their quality and accuracy and move them into the warehouse. Make sure that raw materials are adequately stored until they are required by the production department.
• Perform product testing: Test processed workpieces or products for basic faults.
• Monitor stock level: Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
• Segregate raw materials: Segregate into batches the raw materials to be further processed.
• Monitor storage space: Supervise and organise the area in which products are stored.
• Report test findings: Report test results with a focus on findings and recommendations, differentiating results by levels of severity. Include relevant information from the test plan and outline the test methodologies, using metrics, tables, and visual methods to clarify where needed.
• Operate machines for the rubber extrusion process: Operate the extruder machine and the curing press aiming to cure and extrude rubber products.
• Wear appropriate protective gear: Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
• Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
• Operate rubber mixing machine: Operate the internal mixer and the Two Roll Mill used for raw materials mixing, aiming to have as output dry rubber products.
• 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.
• Work safely with chemicals: Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.
• 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.
• 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.
• Prepare rubber sheets: Prepare the sheets of rubber with the help of the calendar and autoclave machine.
• Program a CNC controller: Set up the desired product design in the CNC controller of the CNC machine for product manufacturing.
• Ensure stock storage safety: Ensure that products are stored appropriately. Keep in line with safety procedures.
• Clean mixer: Perform the cleaning of mixers in order to prepare them for mixing different types of compounds.

8141 – Rubber products machine operators

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References

1. Rubber products machine operator – ESCO
2. Rubber processing machine operators and related workers – Workforce WindsorEssex
3. Metal and Plastic Machine Workers: Occupational Outlook Handbook – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
4. Featured image: By Blue Plover – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0