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.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Conventional
• Realistic / Investigative

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

Source: Sisyphus ODB