Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Read work orders or blueprints to determine specified tolerances and sequences of operations for machine setup.

Position and move metal wires or workpieces through a series of dies that compress and shape stock to form die impressions.

Measure and inspect machined parts to ensure conformance to product specifications.

Set up, operate, or tend presses and forging machines to perform hot or cold forging by flattening, straightening, bending, cutting, piercing, or other operations to taper, shape, or form metal.

Turn handles or knobs to set pressures and depths of ram strokes and to synchronize machine operations.

Install, adjust, and remove dies, synchronizing cams, forging hammers, and stop guides, using overhead cranes or other hoisting devices, and hand tools.

Start machines to produce sample workpieces, and observe operations to detect machine malfunctions and to verify that machine setups conform to specifications.

Confer with other workers about machine setups and operational specifications.

Trim and compress finished forgings to specified tolerances.

Remove dies from machines when production runs are finished.

Repair, maintain, and replace parts on dies.

Select, align, and bolt positioning fixtures, stops, and specified dies to rams and anvils, forging rolls, or presses and hammers.

Sharpen cutting tools and drill bits, using bench grinders.