Vacuum forming machine operator

Vacuum forming machine operators tend, control, and maintain machines that heat sheets of plastic before moving them around a mould, using vacuum-suction; when these sheets become cool, they are permanently set in the shape of the mould.

The following job titles also refer to vacuum forming machine operator:

thermoforming machine operator
thermoforming machine operative
thermo-forming machine setter
thermoforming operator
molder operator
plastic moulding machine tender
vacuum forming machine operative
vacuum molding machine operator
vacuum molding machine operative
thermo-forming machine worker
vacuum forming machine setter
vacuum former
vacuum forming machine tender
moulder operator
vacuum moulding machine operator
thermo-forming machine operative
plastic molding machine tender
vacuum moulding machine operative
plastic molding machine setter
vacuum forming machine worker
thermoforming operative
thermo-forming machine tender
thermoforming machine tender
vacuum forming machine operator
plastics production process worker
plastic moulding machine setter

A high school diploma is generally the minimum required to work as a vacuum forming machine operator. On-the-job training is usually provided by the employers.

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.

Vacuum forming machine operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

pultrusion machine operator
filament winding operator
fibre machine tender
fibreglass machine operator
mineral crushing operator

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of vacuum forming 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 vacuum forming 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 vacuum forming 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.
• Coating substances: Have knowledge of various types of coating, providing a workpiece with one or more finishing layers of resins, sugars, powders, inactive and insoluble fillers, waxes, gums, plasticisers, colouring materials, lacquer, and others.

These skills are necessary for the role of vacuum forming machine operator.

• Optimise production processes parameters: Optimise and maintain the parameters of the production process such as flow, temperature or pressure.
• 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.
• Extract products from moulds: Remove finished products from moulds and examine them in detail for anomalies.
• 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.
• Prepare mould for vacuum forming: Make sure the mould is set securely in place for the vacuum forming process. Verify that the mould is adequate, and that all cavities to be filled are exposed to the vacuum power.
• 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.
• 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.
• Heat up vacuum forming medium: Switch on the medium heater to heat the vacuum forming medium to the right temperator before using the vacuum to press it onto the mould. Make sure the medium is at a high enough temperature to be malleable, but not so high as to introduce wrinkles or webbing in the final product.
• 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 vacuum forming machine operator. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• 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.
• 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 vacuum forming 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.
• Cut vacuum formed workpiece: After the workpiece has been formed and has cooled down, cut off any excess materials using a plastic guillotine or other cutting equipment.
• Repair mould defects: Repair mould malfunctions and damage, e.g. cracks or broken edges; use hand tools, mould boxes and patterns.
• 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.
• Maintain mould parts: Carry out minor repair tasks and maintenance of moulds and mould parts.
• 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.
• Create vacuum forming mould: Make a vacuum forming mould out of any of various suitable materials that can withstand the temperatures and stresses involved in the process. Make sure that any cavities meant to be filled in are exposed to the vacuum power.

8142 – Plastic products machine operators

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References

1. Vacuum forming machine operator – ESCO