Machine Operators | Production Worker Jobs | Machine Operator Jobs
Machine Operators Jobs - What is the Job of a Production Worker? What does a Machine Operator Job Involve?
Machine operators and production worker jobs are responsible for creating the various parts of household consumer devices, such as toasters, microwaves, and other metal and plastic products. There are two major categories of machine operators which include setup workers and production workers.
Setup workers are responsible for preparing the machines that will produce a part, making repairs to the machinery and performing testing. Machine operators are responsible for actually running the machines, and machine setters must add more training as the setup process can be sophisticated.
Machine setters and operators may work with drilling, milling, boring, and lathe machines and most machine operators will specialize in one or two different types of processes.
Metal machine setters and machine operators jobs are responsible for setting up machines that will cut material and plastic parts, and machine setup workers will first lookup blueprints in order to see how the machines should be laid out.
Setup workers will also deal with problems during installation of machinery, and they will also select lubricants and coolants in order to make sure that the machinery does not overheat.
Metal machine setup workers will also use micrometers and measuring equipment in order to make sure that the finished project meet specifications.
Plastic machine setters and tenders are responsible for taking powder based plastics such as ABS in transforming these pellets into a wide variety of goods such as plastic tubing, automobile parts, and plastic toys.
Plastic products are usually manufactured through injection molding machines which liquefy the plastic pellets and then force them into a plastic mold. Blow molding machines will force hot air into a mold, in order to create plastic tubing, such as that which is found with two liter bottles.
Working Conditions for Production Worker Jobs - How is the Working Environment for Machine Operator Jobs?
The working conditions for machine setters and plastic tenders are usually well lit and clean, although the work itself requires a great deal of stamina as one is on their feet all day. Machine operators will work with high powered machinery that they will be protected from with protective equipment such as safety glasses and ear plugs, and most modern machines are enclosed in order to stop any noxious fumes from escaping.
Most production worker jobs will involve a 40 hours workweek, however, overtime may be common during periods of increased production of metal or plastic products.
Machine Operator Education - How to Become a Machine Operator - How to Receive Your Production Operator Training
Machine operator training qualifications include a high school diploma and being at least 16 years of age, with some jobs requiring a machine operator to be 18 years old at a minimum. Machine operator trainees will observe more skilled workers or they may produce a paid informal training programs, starting off with simple tasks and eventually progressing to inspecting products, to adjusting machinery speeds, and to change cutting tools.
Machine equipment complexity will determine the length of machine operator training, with most product operators learning how the machinery systems work in a few weeks, although certifications may be needed in order to operate certain types of metal and plastic machinery.
Machine setters will often require additional training which can include 300 to 600 hours and 2000 hours of on the job experience, as production work is complex and any mistakes can damage expensive machinery or create work delays.
Machine Operator Training Requirements - How to Become a Production Operator
Machinery operator jobs require mechanical ability, dexterity, and an ability to work as part of a team. Advancement opportunities are provided by becoming certified by the National Institute for Metalworking Skills, an organization which offers accreditation in specific metalworking jobs.
After completing a production examination and taking the approved courses, a worker will then receive accreditation from this organization. The Society of Plastics Industry represents plastic machine operators, and certification for those working with plastic is available.
As metal and plastic machine operators gain experience, they may be offered opportunities to become shifts supervisors, and they may further their education and become a machinist or CNC programmer.
Machine Operators Employment - What is a Machine Operator Job?
Over the next decade, machine setter and machine operator employment to decline by 15%, due to outsourcing, technological advances, machine efficiency, and improved production processes. CNC machines and robots are limiting a number of jobs in this field, although this will mostly affect the lower skilled machine operator jobs.
Machine setter jobs will remained fairly constant, with plastics industries experiencing the greatest amount of growth. Domestic manufacturers are trying to become more competitive with foreign outsourcing by using increasingly automated mechanical systems.
Despite all these negative factors on machine operator employment, opportunities in the field are still fairly good, due to the large amount of retirees that will leave the industry in the next decade. Those production workers who obtain certifications in machine operating and who become machine setters will have the best opportunities in the field of plastics and metal manufacturing.
Machine Operator Salary Pay Scale - How Much Do Machine Operators Earn?
In 2006, metal and plastic model makers jobs had median hourly earnings of $20.22, while those working as machine setters were paid $16.15 an hour. Those production workers paid the least wages in the machine operator job industry included casting metal operators at $12.29 an hour, and press machine setters at $12.66 an hour.