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Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender

What is a Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender?

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

Casting Machine Operator Responsibilities

  • Select and install blades, tools, or other attachments for each operation.
  • Repair or replace damaged molds, pipes, belts, chains, or other equipment, using hand tools, hand-powered presses, or jib cranes.
  • Obtain and move specified patterns to work stations, manually or using hoists, and secure patterns to machines, using wrenches.
  • Connect water hoses to cooling systems of dies, using hand tools.
  • Measure and visually inspect products for surface and dimension defects to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
  • Perform maintenance work such as cleaning and oiling machines.

Casting Machine Operator Skills

Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Types of Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender

  • Mogul Operator
  • Polymerization Oven Operator
  • Press Operator
  • Metal Caster
  • Core Machine Operator

Is There Job Demand for Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 145,400 jobs in the United States for Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 12,900 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Casting Machine Operator are Utah, North Dakota, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Idaho, Delaware, or Virginia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Casting Machine Operator Make?

Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make between $22,020 and $50,240 a year.

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Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in Maryland, Delaware, or Maine, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $33,950
Arizona $35,470
Arkansas $33,580
California $35,730
Connecticut $35,750
Delaware $40,300
Florida $33,200
Georgia $33,330
Idaho $32,180
Illinois $36,410
Indiana $33,170
Iowa $32,510
Kansas $31,560
Kentucky $34,880
Louisiana $29,520
Maine $40,930
Maryland $40,010
Massachusetts $37,360
Michigan $32,760
Minnesota $38,050
Mississippi $33,390
Missouri $31,190
Montana $30,810
Nebraska $34,130
Nevada $35,240
New Hampshire $35,520
New Jersey $36,580
New Mexico $29,880
New York $32,650
North Carolina $33,600
North Dakota $31,930
Ohio $32,000
Oklahoma $32,080
Oregon $36,590
Pennsylvania $33,240
Rhode Island $30,180
South Carolina $34,710
South Dakota $32,770
Tennessee $33,810
Texas $30,530
Utah $39,480
Vermont $32,760
Virginia $38,920
Washington $38,560
West Virginia $33,820
Wisconsin $35,420
Wyoming $36,840

Tools & Technologies Used by Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • FANUC Robotics iRVision

How to Become a Casting Machine Operator

Individuals working as a Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender have obtained the following education levels:

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those thinking about becoming a Metal and Plastic Casting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender might also be interested in the following careers:

References:

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