skillfactor-pipeline/skills/injection-moulding-operator/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — injection moulding 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.