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Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Under the title Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, workers set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts. O*NET rates it as some preparation, which usually means a few months to a year of learning on the job. It leans on operations monitoring, operation and control, and monitoring. Expect to start machines to produce sample workpieces, and observe operations to detect machine malfunctions and to verify that machine setups conform to specifications. Its interest code is RCI. Realistic leads at 6.7 out of 7, so expect hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, with Conventional next at 4.4. If you want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, keep it on your list. If you need helping, teaching or caring for people, it may feel thin.

What they do

Set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.

Main tasks

  • Start machines to produce sample workpieces, and observe operations to detect machine malfunctions and to verify that machine setups conform to specifications.
  • Read work orders or blueprints to determine specified tolerances and sequences of operations for machine setup.
  • Confer with other workers about machine setups and operational specifications.
  • Measure and inspect machined parts to ensure conformance to product specifications.
  • Turn handles or knobs to set pressures and depths of ram strokes and to synchronize machine operations.
  • Set up, operate, or tend presses and forging machines to perform hot or cold forging by flattening, straightening, bending, cutting, piercing, or other operations to taper, shape, or form metal.

Skills

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

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

  • Blacksmith
  • Forge Operator
  • Forge Press Operator
  • Forger
  • Hammer Operator

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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.