Extruding and Drawing Machine Operators
On the Job
Extruding and Drawing Machine Operators operate or tend machines that push thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, or structural shapes.
Physical Demands
This career requires time standing, walking, or running.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Operate cutting equipment.
- Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
- Determine production equipment settings.
- Diagnose equipment malfunctions.
- Select production equipment according to product specifications.
- Inspect metal, plastic, or composite products.
- Clean work areas.
- Load materials into production equipment.
- Mix substances to create chemical solutions.
- Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
Typical Working Conditions
- Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
- A work pace that is determined by the speed of equipment.
- Exposure to sounds or noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable.
- Frequent decision-making.
- Standing.
- The importance of being accurate or exact.
- Having face-to-face discussions.
- Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
- Working indoors in non-environmentally controlled conditions.
- Dealing with unpleasant or angry people.
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 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.
Source: You can learn about our data sources in the About Us section.