Plastics and Composites Processor

Summary

Plastics and composites processors handle machinery that manufactures or finishes plastic or composite products by injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding, blow film extrusion and other processes. They may also finish, repair, and refinish damaged products.

Duties & Tasks

Plastics and composites processors may perform the following tasks:

  • check machine settings and safety devices before their operation, set controls and start machines
  • mix and prepare materials to be moulded
  • prepare moulds or tooling for required lay-up
  • interpret material requirements and quantities for required lay-up
  • regulate the machine temperatures, pressures and speeds of operation of manually operated and semi-automatic equipment
  • extract mouldings and extrusions, cut off waste material, and trim and finish moulded components in accordance with machine cycle and quality specifications
  • assemble, install, or secure moulded-in components
  • control feeding devices for wire and cable coating
  • control blending, compounding and drying equipment
  • maintain production and quality assessment records
  • apply surface coatings to moulds
  • apply core materials like foam, balsa and honeycomb structures to the laminate
  • apply resin/reinforcement matrix by hand or by machine
  • trim and finish parts for assembly or final bonding.

Working Conditions

Plastics and composites processors may have to wear special safety equipment such as masks, gloves, glasses, ear protection and protective clothing, especially when using spray guns. Some of the tasks involved in composites production may require working in confined spaces. Plastics and composites processors may have to wear special safety equipment such as masks, gloves, glasses, ear protection and protective clothing, especially when using spray guns. Some of the tasks involved in composites production may require working in confined spaces.

Plastics and composites processors may be required to work shifts.

Personal Requirements

  • enjoy practical and manual activities
  • good hand-eye coordination
  • able to cope with the physical demands of the job
  • good at technical activities
  • able to work as part of a team
  • enjoy working with machinery.

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