Operate or tend plastic molding machines, such as compression or injection molding machines, to mold, form, or cast thermoplastic materials to specified shape.

Starts machine that automatically liquefies plastic material in heating chamber, injects liquefied material into mold, and ejects molded product. Observes meters and gauges to verify specified temperatures, pressures, and press-cycle times. Turns valves and dials of machines to regulate pressure and temperature, to set press-cycle time, and to close press. Observes continuous operation of automatic machine and width and alignment of plastic sheeting to ensure side flanges. Weighs prescribed amounts of material for molded part and finished product to ensure specifications are maintained. Removes product from mold or conveyor, and cleans and reloads mold. Positions mold frame to correct alignment and tubs containing mixture on top of mold to facilitate loading of molds. Examines molded product for surface defects, such as dents, bubbles, thin areas, and cracks. Fills tubs, molds, or cavities of machine with plastic material in solid or liquid form prior to activating machine. Mixes and pours liquid plastic into rotating drum of machine that spreads, hardens, and shapes mixture. Pulls level and toggle latches to fill mold and regulate tension on sheeting and to release mold covers. Dumps plastic powder, preformed plastic pellets, or preformed rubber slugs into hopper of molding machine. Heats plastic material prior to forming product or cools product after processing to prevent distortion. Breaks seals that hold plastic product in molds, using hand tool, and removes product from mold. Feels stiffness and consistency of molded sheeting to detect machinery malfunction. Reports defect in molds to supervisor. Signals coworker to synchronize feed of materials into molding process. Trims flashing from product. Throws flash and rejected parts into grinder machine to be recycled. Stacks molded parts in boxes or on conveyor for subsequent processing or leaves parts in mold to cool.

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

Plastic Molding and Casting Machine Operators and Tenders Job Description & Jobs Job Title: Plastic Molding and Casting Machine Operators and Tenders RIASEC Career Code: R-C-E SOC: 51-4072.02 Job Description for:"Plastic Molding and Casting Machine Operators and Tenders" Operate or tend plastic molding machines, such as compression or injection molding machines, to mold, form, or cast thermoplastic materials to specified shape. For Plastic Molding and Casting Machine Operators and Tenders Jobs Click Here What do you want to do now? 1) Learn how our Career Test will help you plan or change your career 2) Take our FREE Myers-Briggs-like Personality Test 3) Use our quick over-the-phone Career Coaching session for immediate help with your career 4) Quickly sort through over 2,000,000 real jobs and apply on-line For Plastic Molding and Casting Machine Operators and Tenders Jobs Click Here Job Tasks for: "Plastic Molding and Casting Machine Operators and Tenders" Starts machine that automatically liquefies plastic material in heating chamber, injects liquefied material into mold, and ejects molded product. Observes meters and gauges to verify specified temperatures, pressures, and press-cycle times. Turns valves and dials of machines to regulate pressure and temperature, to set press-cycle time, and to close press. Observes continuous operation of automatic machine and width and alignment of plastic sheeting to ensure side flanges. Weighs prescribed amounts of material for molded part and finished product to ensure specifications are maintained. Removes product from mold or conveyor, and cleans and reloads mold. Positions mold frame to correct alignment and tubs containing mixture on top of mold to facilitate loading of molds. Examines molded product for surface defects, such as dents, bubbles, thin areas, and cracks. Fills tubs, molds, or cavities of machine with plastic material in solid or liquid form prior to activating machine. Mixes and pours liquid plastic into rotating drum of machine that spreads, hardens, and shapes mixture. Pulls level and toggle latches to fill mold and regulate tension on sheeting and to release mold covers. Dumps plastic powder, preformed plastic pellets, or preformed rubber slugs into hopper of molding machine. Heats plastic material prior to forming product or cools product after processing to prevent distortion. Breaks seals that hold plastic product in molds, using hand tool, and removes product from mold. Feels stiffness and consistency of molded sheeting to detect machinery malfunction. Reports defect in molds to supervisor. Signals coworker to synchronize feed of materials into molding process. Trims flashing from product. Throws flash and rejected parts into grinder machine to be recycled. Stacks molded parts in boxes or on conveyor for subsequent processing or leaves parts in mold to cool. Find the perfect career, try our Career Search Tools Knowledge Requirements for: "Plastic Molding and Casting Machine Operators and Tenders" Mechanical -- Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. Production and Processing -- Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. See the education requirements for Plastic Molding and Casting Machine Operators and Tenders Skill Requirements for: "Plastic Molding and Casting Machine Operators and Tenders" 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. Quality Control Analysis -- Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance. Mathematics -- Using mathematics to solve problems. Ability Requirements for: "Plastic Molding and Casting Machine Operators and Tenders" Control Precision -- The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions. 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. 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. Near Vision -- The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). Reaction Time -- The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears. Rate Control -- The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene. 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. 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). Trunk Strength -- The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing. Static Strength -- The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects. "Plastic Molding and Casting Machine Operators and Tenders" Job Activities 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. 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. Job Description for: "Plastic Molding and Casting Machine Operators and Tenders"

Control Precision -- The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions. 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. 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. Near Vision -- The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). Reaction Time -- The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears. Rate Control -- The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene. 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. 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). Trunk Strength -- The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing. Static Strength -- The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

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. 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.