Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

What the job really is

Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.

At a glance

• Sector: Production
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-4072
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Measure and visually inspect products for surface and dimension defects to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
• Observe continuous operation of automatic machines to ensure that products meet specifications and to detect jams or malfunctions, making adjustments as necessary.
• Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.
• Turn valves and dials of machines to regulate pressure, temperature, and speed and feed rates, and to set cycle times.
• Read specifications, blueprints, and work orders to determine setups, temperatures, and time settings required to mold, form, or cast plastic materials, as well as to plan production sequences.
• Observe meters and gauges to verify and record temperatures, pressures, and press-cycle times.
• Connect water hoses to cooling systems of dies, using hand tools.
• Remove parts, such as dies, from machines after production runs are finished.
• Perform maintenance work such as cleaning and oiling machines.
• Smooth and clean inner surfaces of molds, using brushes, scrapers, air hoses, or grinding wheels, and fill imperfections with refractory material.
• Operate hoists to position dies or patterns on foundry floors.
• Cool products after processing to prevent distortion.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, SAP software, Air angle die grinders, Air guns, Air purifying respirators, Aluminized suits, Aluminum hammers, Brass hammers, Cold chamber die casting machines

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
• Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
• Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.