SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Equipment Technician
  • Extruder Operator
  • Extrusion Operator
  • Extrusion Press Operator
  • Machine Operator
  • Metal Inspector
  • Setup Operator
  • Wire Mill Operator
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What is an extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?

Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders work with machines that shape metal and plastic products by forcing material through a die or extending it into wires and other forms. These professionals are responsible for setting up, operating, and monitoring equipment used in the manufacturing of plastic and metal goods. Their work typically involves adjusting machine settings and controls to regulate factors such as temperature, pressure, and speed, ensuring the extrusion or drawing process operates smoothly and efficiently.

They play a critical role in determining the quality and consistency of the final product, often inspecting the extruded materials for defects and making necessary adjustments to the machinery. Additionally, they maintain and troubleshoot the equipment, performing regular maintenance checks and repairs when required to minimize downtime and maximize production output. Knowledge of safety protocols and adherence to industry regulations is essential in this role to ensure a safe working environment and compliance with standards.

What the work actually is

  • Measure and examine extruded products to locate defects and to check for conformance to specifications, adjusting controls as necessary to alter products.
  • Determine setup procedures and select machine dies and parts, according to specifications.
  • Start machines and set controls to regulate vacuum, air pressure, sizing rings, and temperature, and to synchronize speed of extrusion.
  • Reel extruded products into rolls of specified lengths and weights.
  • Install dies, machine screws, and sizing rings on machines that extrude thermoplastic or metal materials.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Operations Monitoring Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Operation and Control Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Judgment and Decision Making Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Abilities

  • Control Precision The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Manual Dexterity The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Multilimb Coordination The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Reaction Time The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Knowledge

  • Production and Processing Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
Less than high school diploma

A normal week

  • Controlling Machines and Processes
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Getting Information
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Presentation software Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Electronic mail software Microsoft Outlook
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software SAP software
  • Enterprise application integration software Enterprise application integration EAI software

Tools

  • Extruders Blown film extruders · Single screw extruders · Tubing extruders
  • Rubber or plastic extrusion dies Braiders · Dummy blocks · Plastic profile extrusion dies
  • Compression die adaptor Die changers · Die holders · Die shuffles
  • Belt conveyors Extrusion press conveyors · Plate conveyors · Slat conveyors
  • Intensive mixers Paddle blenders · Ribbon blenders · Sigma blade mixers

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Questions people ask

How much does an extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn in South Africa?

Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What is an extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?

Measure and examine extruded products to locate defects and to check for conformance to specifications, adjusting controls as necessary to alter products, Determine setup procedures and select machine dies and parts, according to specifications and Start machines and set controls to regulate vacuum, air pressure, sizing rings, and temperature, and to synchronize speed of extrusion.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.