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Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders is the O*NET name for people who set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material. The skills rated most useful are operations monitoring, operation and control, and quality control analysis. The job can ask you to remove defective or substandard materials from machines, and readjust machine components so that products meet standards. On the six-type interest model it reads RCI, meaning hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world comes first, followed by orderly work with data, records and clear procedures. Getting in usually takes a few months to a year of learning on the job, a level O*NET calls some preparation. People who want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world usually fit better here than those who need helping, teaching or caring for people.

What they do

Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.

Main tasks

  • Remove defective or substandard materials from machines, and readjust machine components so that products meet standards.
  • Maintain production records, such as quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.
  • Start machines to verify setups, and make any necessary adjustments.
  • Press buttons, pull levers, or depress pedals to start and operate cutting and slicing machines.
  • Review work orders, blueprints, specifications, or job samples to determine components, settings, and adjustments for cutting and slicing machines.
  • Adjust machine controls to alter position, alignment, speed, or pressure.

Skills

  • Operations Monitoring
  • Operation and Control
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Monitoring
  • Troubleshooting

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on operations monitoring and operation and control.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You want helping people to be at the center of your work. Social rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RCI takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Also called

  • Cutter
  • Cutter Operator
  • Cutting Machine Operator
  • Die Cutter Operator
  • Flat Cutter

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.