Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
203 alternate job titles:
Salary Information
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: $45,590 (median) per year.
Starting salary (10th percentile).
Required expreience: Varies by Company
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
| Task Description | Category |
|---|---|
| Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications. | General |
| Inspect metal, plastic, or composite products. | General |
| Sort materials or products for processing, storing, shipping, or grading. | General |
| Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements. | General |
| Load materials into production equipment. | General |
| Operate cutting equipment. | General |
| Record operational or production data. | General |
| Inspect production equipment. | General |
| Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment. | General |
| Clean production equipment. | General |
| Lubricate production equipment. | General |
| Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment. | General |
| Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly. | General |
| Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references. | General |
| Operate metal or plastic forming equipment. | General |
| Set equipment guides, stops, spacers, or other fixtures. | General |
| Adjust equipment controls to regulate coolant flow. | General |
| Apply lubricants or coolants to workpieces. | General |
| Replace worn equipment components. | General |
| Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information. | General |
| Plan production or operational procedures or sequences. | General |
| Smooth metal surfaces or edges. | General |
| Operate grinding equipment. | General |
| Sharpen cutting or grinding tools. | General |
| Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair. | General |
| Remove accessories, tools, or other parts from equipment. | General |
| Select production equipment according to product specifications. | General |
| Heat material or workpieces to prepare for or complete production. | General |
| Clean work areas. | General |
| Operate forklifts or other loaders. | General |
| Weld metal components. | General |
| Braze metal parts or components. | General |
| Operate welding equipment. | General |
| Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences. | Maintenance |
| Monitor equipment operation to ensure that products are not flawed. | Maintenance |
| Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications. | Communication |
Technology Requirements
| Technology | Description |
|---|---|
| Autodesk AutoCAD | Computer aided design CAD software |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software |
| SAP software | Enterprise resource planning ERP software |
| Automated inventory software | Inventory management software |
| Computerized numerical control CNC software | Industrial control software |
| Striker Systems SS-Punch | Computer aided manufacturing CAM software |
| Operational databases | Data base user interface and query software |
Relevant Certifications
Industry certifications that may be valuable for this career role:
| Certification | Issuing Organization | Practice Test |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 - Welding | National Center for Construction Education and Research | Not Available |
| Press Brake Level II - CNC Punch (Turret) Press Level II | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Press Brake Level II - Operate Non-CNC Drive Press Brake Skills II | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Press Brake Level III - Set Up and Operate CNC Drive III | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Press Brake Level III - Set Up and Operate Non-CNC Mechanical III | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Screw Machining Level II - Operate with Multiple Spindles II | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Screw Machining Level II - Operate with Single Spindles II | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Screw Machining Level III - Set Up & Operate with Multiple Spindles III | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |
| Screw Machining Level III - Set Up & Operate with Single Spindles III | National Institute for Metalworking Skills | Not Available |