Plastics Processing and Machine Operators

Nature of work

Plastics processing machine operators set up and use plastic mixing, calendering, extruding and moulding processing machines used in the manufacture of plastic parts and plastic products. They work for plastic products manufacturing companies.

Job duties

Mixing machine operators:

• Weigh resins, colorants and other chemicals according to formula.
• Place weighed materials in mixing machine and run machine.
• Monitor process, regulate material supply, and add chemicals and colorants to mixture.
• Use controls to regulate temperature, speed and other processing conditions.
• Unload mixture into container or conveyor for further processing.
• Maintain and do minor repairs on machinery as required.
• Maintain inventory of material and clean working area.

Calendering process operators:

• Set up and use calendering machines that change dough-consistent plastic mass into continuous sheets or films of specified thickness.
• Maintain and make minor repairs to equipment and adjust calender rollers for production line change.
• Monitor quality of material produced.
• Maintain inventory of material and clean working area.

Extruding process operators:

• Set up and use one or more extruding machines that shape plastic composites products through a nozzle or die.
• Change dies on extruding machines.
• Maintain and make minor repairs to equipment.
• Monitor quality of material produced.
• Maintain inventory of material and clean working area.

Moulding process operators:

• Set up and use one or more moulding machines that mould plastic products.
• Change moulds and adjust equipment.
• Maintain and make minor repairs to equipment.
• Monitor quality of material produced, and change machine settings as required.
• Follow formulation card to mix ingredient batches for injection moulding process.
• Maintain inventory of material and clean working area.

Sample job titles

• bag machine operator
• banbury operator
• blow moulding machine operator
• calender operator
• extruder operator
• injection moulding operator
• plastics press operator
• printing roller moulder
• solution mixer operator
• thermoforming operator

Skills

• You should be responsible, alert, and in good physical health. Coordination, agility, and a mechanical ability are important. You must also be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

• High school is usually required.
• On-the-job training is usually provided.
• Several years of experience as a helper, tender or packer in the same company may be necessary.
• A statistical process control (SPC) course may be needed.
• Courses in hydraulics, pneumatics and electronics systems may be necessary for moulding process operators.

Other considerations

• Movement among the various operators in this unit is possible. Movement to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

There are no additional resources for this occupation.