# Tasks & work activities — vacuum forming machine operator

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 51-4072.00 (Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic) — manual nearest-occupation mapping via ISCO group 8142; the official ESCO crosswalk has no entry for this ESCO occupation.

## Task statements

- **[Core]** Observe continuous operation of automatic machines to ensure that products meet specifications and to detect jams or malfunctions, making adjustments as necessary.
- **[Core]** Measure and visually inspect products for surface and dimension defects to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
- **[Core]** Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.
- **[Supplemental]** Position and secure workpieces on machines, and start feeding mechanisms.
- **[Core]** Turn valves and dials of machines to regulate pressure, temperature, and speed and feed rates, and to set cycle times.
- **[Supplemental]** Remove finished or cured products from dies or molds, using hand tools, air hoses, and other equipment, stamping identifying information on products when necessary.
- **[Supplemental]** Skim or pour dross, slag, or impurities from molten metal, using ladles, rakes, hoes, spatulas, or spoons.
- **[Supplemental]** Trim excess material from parts, using knives, and grind scrap plastic into powder for reuse.
- **[Supplemental]** Cool products after processing to prevent distortion.
- **[Supplemental]** Install dies onto machines or presses and coat dies with parting agents, according to work order specifications.
- **[Supplemental]** Mix and measure compounds, or weigh premixed compounds, and dump them into machine tubs, cavities, or molds.
- **[Core]** Observe meters and gauges to verify and record temperatures, pressures, and press-cycle times.
- **[Supplemental]** Spray, smoke, or coat molds with compounds to lubricate or insulate molds, using acetylene torches or sprayers.
- **[Core]** 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.
- **[Supplemental]** Adjust equipment and workpiece holding fixtures, such as mold frames, tubs, and cutting tables, to ensure proper functioning.
- **[Core]** Remove parts, such as dies, from machines after production runs are finished.
- **[Supplemental]** Inventory and record quantities of materials and finished products, requisitioning additional supplies as necessary.
- **[Supplemental]** Pour or load metal or sand into melting pots, furnaces, molds, or hoppers, using shovels, ladles, or machines.
- **[Supplemental]** Unload finished products from conveyor belts, pack them in containers, and place containers in warehouses.
- **[Core]** Connect water hoses to cooling systems of dies, using hand tools.
- **[Supplemental]** Preheat tools, dies, plastic materials, or patterns, using blowtorches or other equipment.
- **[Supplemental]** Operate hoists to position dies or patterns on foundry floors.
- **[Core]** Smooth and clean inner surfaces of molds, using brushes, scrapers, air hoses, or grinding wheels, and fill imperfections with refractory material.
- **[Supplemental]** Obtain and move specified patterns to work stations, manually or using hoists, and secure patterns to machines, using wrenches.
- **[Core]** Perform maintenance work such as cleaning and oiling machines.
- **[Supplemental]** Repair or replace damaged molds, pipes, belts, chains, or other equipment, using hand tools, hand-powered presses, or jib cranes.
- **[Supplemental]** Maintain inventories of materials.
- **[Supplemental]** Select coolants and lubricants, and start their flow.
- **[Supplemental]** Select and install blades, tools, or other attachments for each operation.

## Detailed work activities

- Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
- Apply lubricants or coolants to workpieces.
- Apply parting agents or other solutions to molds.
- Apply protective or decorative finishes to workpieces or products.
- Clean production equipment.
- Connect supply lines to production equipment or tools.
- Fill cracks, imperfections, or holes in products or workpieces.
- Heat material or workpieces to prepare for or complete production.
- Inspect metal, plastic, or composite products.
- Load items into ovens or furnaces.
- Load materials into production equipment.
- Lubricate production equipment.
- Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
- Maintain production or processing equipment.
- Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.
- Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
- Mix substances to create chemical solutions.
- Monitor equipment operation to ensure that products are not flawed.
- Monitor instruments to ensure proper production conditions.
- Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
- Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
- Move products, materials, or equipment between work areas.
- Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
- Operate grinding equipment.
- Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
- Package products for storage or shipment.
- Place materials into molds.
- Record operational or production data.
- Remove accessories, tools, or other parts from equipment.
- Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.
- Remove workpieces from molds.
- Repair templates, patterns, or molds.
- Replace worn equipment components.
- Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
- Select production equipment according to product specifications.
- Select production input materials.
- Set equipment guides, stops, spacers, or other fixtures.
- Skim impurities from molten metal.
- Smooth metal surfaces or edges.
- Study blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements.
- Trim excess material from workpieces.