SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

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

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What is a molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?

Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic, are skilled workers who operate and oversee machinery used to shape and form metal and plastic materials into various products. Their primary responsibilities include setting up and adjusting machines that mold and shape heated metals or plastics, ensuring the machines operate correctly, and monitoring the production process for quality and efficiency. They work with a variety of equipment such as molding presses, casting machines, and other molding devices that require precise control and attention to detail. These professionals may also be involved in the preparation of molds or cores used in the casting process, selecting materials, and maintaining workspaces and machines to ensure optimum performance. Safety is a crucial aspect of their role, as they work with high temperatures and heavy equipment, necessitating adherence to industry regulations and standards.

What the work actually is

  • Measure and visually inspect products for surface and dimension defects to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
  • Observe continuous operation of automatic machines to ensure that products meet specifications and to detect jams or malfunctions, making adjustments as necessary.
  • Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.
  • Turn valves and dials of machines to regulate pressure, temperature, and speed and feed rates, and to set cycle times.
  • Read specifications, blueprints, and work orders to determine setups, temperatures, and time settings required to mold, form, or cast plastic materials, as well as to plan production sequences.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Operations Monitoring Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • 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.
  • Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Operation and Control Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Abilities

  • Arm-Hand Steadiness The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • 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.
  • Control Precision The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • 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.
  • Deductive Reasoning The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

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.
  • Mechanical Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Less than high school diploma
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)

A normal week

  • Controlling Machines and Processes
  • Handling and Moving Objects
  • Getting Information
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Computer aided manufacturing CAM software Intera Systems Hawk-i · RobotWare DieCast · Visi-Trak True-Trak 20/20
  • Electronic mail software Microsoft Outlook
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software SAP software
  • Office suite software Microsoft Office software

Tools

  • Casting machines Gravity die casting machines · Pressure die casting machines
  • Hammers Aluminum hammers · Brass hammers
  • Injection molding machines
  • Power grinders Air angle die grinders · Pneumatic die grinders
  • Foundry ladles Robotic metal ladles · Standard metal ladles

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 a molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn in South Africa?

Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What is a molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?

Measure and visually inspect products for surface and dimension defects to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments, Observe continuous operation of automatic machines to ensure that products meet specifications and to detect jams or malfunctions, making adjustments as necessary and Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.

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.