Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

What the job really is

Set up, operate, or tend plating machines to coat metal or plastic products with chromium, zinc, copper, cadmium, nickel, or other metal to protect or decorate surfaces. Typically, the product being coated is immersed in molten metal or an electrolytic solution.

At a glance

• Sector: Production
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-4193
• 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:

• Immerse workpieces in coating solutions or liquid metal or plastic for specified times.
• Adjust dials to regulate flow of current and voltage supplied to terminals to control plating processes.
• Inspect coated or plated areas for defects, such as air bubbles or uneven coverage.
• Set up, operate, or tend plating or coating machines to coat metal or plastic products with chromium, zinc, copper, cadmium, nickel, or other metal to protect or decorate surfaces.
• Observe gauges to ensure that machines are operating properly, making adjustments or stopping machines when problems occur.
• Remove objects from solutions at periodic intervals and observe objects to verify conformance to specifications.
• Maintain production records.
• Remove excess materials or impurities from objects, using air hoses or grinding machines.
• Examine completed objects to determine thicknesses of metal deposits, or measure thicknesses by using instruments such as micrometers.
• Rinse coated objects in cleansing liquids and dry them with cloths, centrifugal driers, or by tumbling in sawdust-filled barrels.
• Determine sizes and compositions of objects to be plated, and amounts of electrical current and time required.
• Test machinery to ensure that it is operating properly.

Tools and technology

Autodesk AutoCAD, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Bake ovens, Chain hoists, Computer aided design CAD software, Digital ammeters, Digital calipers, Digital levels, Digital micrometers, Fixed workshop cranes

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Molding, Coremaking, and Casting 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
• Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
• Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

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: Plating 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.