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.

Median Annual Wage: $30,680

Education: High school diploma or equivalent (67%); Post-secondary certificate (16%); Less than high school diploma (9%)

Projected Growth: Decline (-3% or lower)

Related Job Titles: Machine Operator; Operator; Press Operator; Set-Up Operator; Saw Operator; Slitter Operator; Punch Press Operator; Die Setter; Machine Setter; Fabrication Operator

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.

More Production Careers

  • Set stops on machine beds, change dies, and adjust components, such as rams or power presses, when making multiple or successive passes.
  • Examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws.
  • Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data.
  • Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
  • Test and adjust machine speeds or actions, according to product specifications, using gauges and hand tools.
  • Install, align, and lock specified punches, dies, cutting blades, or other fixtures in rams or beds of machines, using gauges, templates, feelers, shims, and hand tools.
  • Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances.
  • Position, align, and secure workpieces against fixtures or stops on machine beds or on dies.
  • Position guides, stops, holding blocks, or other fixtures to secure and direct workpieces, using hand tools and measuring devices.
  • Load workpieces, plastic material, or chemical solutions into machines.
  • Adjust ram strokes of presses to specified lengths, using hand tools.
  • Clean and lubricate machines.
  • Mark identifying data on workpieces.
  • Clean work area.
  • Plan sequences of operations, applying knowledge of physical properties of workpiece materials.
  • Operate forklifts to deliver materials.
  • Lubricate workpieces with oil.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.

  • Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.

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