Set up, operate, or tend machines to extrude or draw thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, wire, bars, or structural shapes.

Change dies on extruding machines according to production line changes. Install dies, machine screws, and sizing rings on machines that extrude thermoplastic or metal materials. Load machine hoppers with mixed materials, using augers, or stuff rolls of plastic dough into machine cylinders. Measure and examine extruded products in order to locate defects, and to check for conformance to specifications; adjust controls as necessary to alter products. Replace worn dies when products vary from specifications. Select nozzles, spacers, and wire guides, according to diameters and lengths of rods. Start machines and set controls to regulate vacuum, air pressure, sizing rings, and temperature, and to synchronize speed of extrusion. Determine setup procedures and select machine dies and parts, according to specifications. Clean work areas. Maintain an inventory of materials. Operate shearing mechanisms to cut rods to specified lengths. Reel extruded products into rolls of specified lengths and weights. Test physical properties of products with testing devices such as acid-bath testers, burst testers, and impact testers. Troubleshoot, maintain, and make minor repairs to equipment. Weigh and mix pelletized, granular, or powdered thermoplastic materials and coloring pigments. Adjust controls to draw or press metal into specified shapes and diameters.

Production and Processing -- Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. Mechanical -- Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Operation and Control -- Controlling operations of equipment or systems. Quality Control Analysis -- Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance. Operation Monitoring -- Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. Equipment Selection -- Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job. Installation -- Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.

Control Precision -- The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions. Static Strength -- The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects. 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). 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.

Handling and Moving Objects -- Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. Controlling Machines and Processes -- Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). Getting Information -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings -- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. 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. Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material -- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.