Jobs, Careers and Occupations

Plastics Jobs, Occupations and Careers

Plastics

Plastics companies manufacture and/or distribute plastic, rubber, ceramics and composites products, including sheeting, pipes, tubing, tires and gaskets.

Plastics occupations include plant managers, plant engineers, plastic technicians, line managers, injection molding personnel, mold makers, fixture builders and plastics traders.

Machine tool operators in the plastics industry play a major role in producing most of the consumer products on which we rely daily.

In general, plastics company workers can be separated into two groups—those who set up machines for operation and those who tend the machines during production. Setup workers prepare the machines prior to production and may adjust the machinery during its operation. Operators and tenders primarily monitor the machinery during its operation, sometimes loading or unloading the machine or making minor adjustments to the controls. Many plastics company workers both set up and operate equipment.

Setters, operators and tenders usually are identified by the type of machine with which they work. Job duties usually vary with the size of the firm and the type of machine being operated. Although some plastics company workers specialize in one or two types of machinery, many are trained to set up or operate a variety of machines.

Plastics workers in three distinct specialties–setters, operators, and tenders - operate injection-molding machines. Most other types of plastic machines function in a similar manner. A typical injection-molding machine may have 25 different controls that can be adjusted. Setters or technicians set up the machines prior to their operation. These workers are responsible for repairing any major problem. Operators monitor the many gauges on injection-molding machines, adjusting different inputs, pressures and speeds to maintain quality. Tenders remove the cooled plastic from the mold, loading the product into boxes.

Plastics Related Industries

• Design
• Engineering
• Operations