Profession injection moulding operator

Injection moulding operators operate and monitor injection moulding machines, in order to cast products from thermoplastic materials. They regulate the temperature, pressure, and volume of plastic, according to pre-defined specifications. Injection moulding operators also remove finished products and cut-away excess material, using a knife or other hand tools.

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Personality Type

Knowledge

  • Dies

    The qualities and applications of various kinds of dies, the different components of a die (such as the die block, punch plate, pierce punch and others) and the types of die used in specialised manufacturing processes ( such as extrusion dies, drawing dies, forming dies, cutting dies, compound dies, and others).

  • Quality standards

    The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.

  • Injection moulding machine parts

    Parts of the machine that melts and injects molten plastic into moulds such as the hopper, the reciprocating screw, the injection barrel and the injection cylinder.

Skills

  • Trim excess material

    Trim surplus material of fabric such as fiberglass mats, cloth, plastics or rubber.

  • Troubleshoot

    Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.

  • Monitor valves

    Monitor and accordingly adjust the valves in order to allow a specific amount of liquids (such as ammonia sulfuric acid or viscous soap) or steam into the mixer or machine.

  • Install press dies

    Install and coat dies on presses by using handtools, bolts and clamps.

  • Consult technical resources

    Read and interpret such technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.

  • Set up the controller of a machine

    Set up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.

  • Monitor automated machines

    Continuously check up on the automated machine's set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.

  • Optimise production processes parameters

    Optimise and maintain the parameters of the production process such as flow, temperature or pressure.

  • Monitor gauge

    Oversee the data presented by a gauge concerning the measurement of pressure, temperature, thickness of a material, and others.

  • Use personal protection equipment

    Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.

  • Tend injection moulding machine

    Operate and monitor a machine that contains a reciprocating screw that forces the raw material forwards while inducing melting, and injects the molten plastic into a mould.

Optional knowledge and skills

types of plastic inspect quality of products finish plastic products maintain equipment move filled moulds clean moulds melt wax types of waxes medical devices manufacturing of daily use goods operate lifting equipment manufacturing of sports equipment perform test run extract products from moulds maintain mould parts feed hoppers report defective manufacturing materials select mould types manufacturing of jewellery types of moulding mix moulding and casting material tend blow moulding machine grind wasted plastic plastic welding jewellery processes mechanics add colour keep records of work progress

Source: Sisyphus ODB