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51-4072.00 · Task explorer

Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.

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This source lists 29 tasks, including 10 marked Core and 19 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 07/2016.

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29 tasks shown

Core · Task 10174 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Measure and visually inspect products for surface and dimension defects to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.

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Core · Task 10173 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Observe continuous operation of automatic machines to ensure that products meet specifications and to detect jams or malfunctions, making adjustments as necessary.

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Core · Task 10175 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.

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Core · Task 10177 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Turn valves and dials of machines to regulate pressure, temperature, and speed and feed rates, and to set cycle times.

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Core · Task 10186 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

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.

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Core · Task 10184 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Observe meters and gauges to verify and record temperatures, pressures, and press-cycle times.

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Core · Task 10192 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Connect water hoses to cooling systems of dies, using hand tools.

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Core · Task 10188 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Remove parts, such as dies, from machines after production runs are finished.

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Core · Task 10197 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Perform maintenance work such as cleaning and oiling machines.

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Core · Task 10195 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Smooth and clean inner surfaces of molds, using brushes, scrapers, air hoses, or grinding wheels, and fill imperfections with refractory material.

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Supplemental · Task 10194 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Operate hoists to position dies or patterns on foundry floors.

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Supplemental · Task 10181 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Cool products after processing to prevent distortion.

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Supplemental · Task 10182 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Install dies onto machines or presses and coat dies with parting agents, according to work order specifications.

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Supplemental · Task 10191 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Unload finished products from conveyor belts, pack them in containers, and place containers in warehouses.

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Supplemental · Task 10178 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Remove finished or cured products from dies or molds, using hand tools, air hoses, and other equipment, stamping identifying information on products when necessary.

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Supplemental · Task 10196 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Obtain and move specified patterns to work stations, manually or using hoists, and secure patterns to machines, using wrenches.

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Supplemental · Task 10203 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Select and install blades, tools, or other attachments for each operation.

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Supplemental · Task 10198 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Repair or replace damaged molds, pipes, belts, chains, or other equipment, using hand tools, hand-powered presses, or jib cranes.

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Supplemental · Task 10189 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Inventory and record quantities of materials and finished products, requisitioning additional supplies as necessary.

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Supplemental · Task 10200 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Select coolants and lubricants, and start their flow.

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Supplemental · Task 10187 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Adjust equipment and workpiece holding fixtures, such as mold frames, tubs, and cutting tables, to ensure proper functioning.

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Supplemental · Task 10199 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Maintain inventories of materials.

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Supplemental · Task 10176 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Position and secure workpieces on machines, and start feeding mechanisms.

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Supplemental · Task 10180 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Trim excess material from parts, using knives, and grind scrap plastic into powder for reuse.

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Supplemental · Task 10183 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Mix and measure compounds, or weigh premixed compounds, and dump them into machine tubs, cavities, or molds.

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Supplemental · Task 10185 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Spray, smoke, or coat molds with compounds to lubricate or insulate molds, using acetylene torches or sprayers.

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Supplemental · Task 10193 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Preheat tools, dies, plastic materials, or patterns, using blowtorches or other equipment.

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Supplemental · Task 10190 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Pour or load metal or sand into melting pots, furnaces, molds, or hoppers, using shovels, ladles, or machines.

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Supplemental · Task 10179 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Skim or pour dross, slag, or impurities from molten metal, using ladles, rakes, hoes, spatulas, or spoons.

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Make the shortlist useful

Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.