Operate or tend machines to shape and form any of a wide variety of manufactured products, such as glass bulbs, molded food and candy, rubber goods, clay products, wax products, tobacco plugs, cosmetics, or paper products, by means of extruding, compressing or compacting.

Measures, mixes, cuts, shapes, softens, and joins materials and ingredients, such as powder, cornmeal, or rubber to prepare for machine processing. Records and maintains production data, such as meter readings, and quantity, type, and dimensions of materials produced. Replaces worn or broken parts, such as nozzles, punches, and filters, and cleans and lubricates machine components to maintain in working order. Moves materials, supplies, components, and finished products between storage and work areas, using work aids, such as racks, hoists, and handtrucks. Examines, measures, and weighs materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices, such as templates, micrometers, or scales. Selects and installs machine components, such as dies, molds, and cutters, according to specifications, using hand tools and measuring devices. Reviews work orders, specifications, or instructions to determine materials, ingredients, procedures, components, settings, and adjustments for extruding, forming, pressing, or compacting machine. Clears jams, removes defective or substandard materials or products, and readjusts machine components to conform to specifications. Adjusts machine components to regulate speed, pressure, and temperature of machine, and amount, dimensions, and flow of materials or ingredients. Activates machine to shape or form products, such as candy bars, light bulbs, silver spoons, balloons, or insulation panels. Monitors machine operations and observes indicator lights and gauges, such as thermometers, voltage meters, and timers to detect malfunctions. Fills molds or positions ingredients or materials, such as glass rods, candy, or rolls of paper, on machine feeding mechanism. Removes materials or products from mold, or from extruding, forming, pressing, or compacting machine, and stacks or stores for additional processing.

Production and Processing -- Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Operation and Control -- Controlling operations of equipment or systems. Operation Monitoring -- Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. Equipment Maintenance -- Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed. Repairing -- Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools. Reading Comprehension -- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Manual Dexterity -- The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects. Control Precision -- The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions. Reaction Time -- The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears. Perceptual Speed -- The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object. Problem Sensitivity -- The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. Extent Flexibility -- The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs. Information Ordering -- The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). Written Comprehension -- The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. Arm-Hand Steadiness -- The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position. Visualization -- The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

Controlling Machines and Processes -- Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). Handling and Moving Objects -- Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings -- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events -- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. Getting Information -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. Performing General Physical Activities -- Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials. Documenting/Recording Information -- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards -- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material -- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.