Extruder Machine Operator
Quick Facts
Median Salary$43,567
Most Common EducationHigh school or GED
Projected 10-Year Growth+9.41%
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What They Do
An Extruder Machine Operator operates and maintains machines that extrude or draw out thermoplastic or metal materials into hoses, bars, tubes, rods, wires, or structures.
Core Tasks:
- Adjust machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, and temperatures, and amounts, dimensions, and flow of materials or ingredients.
- Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as templates, micrometers, or scales.
- Press control buttons to activate machinery and equipment.
- Monitor machine operations and observe lights and gauges to detect malfunctions.
- Record and maintain production data, such as meter readings, and quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.
- Notify supervisors when extruded filaments fail to meet standards.
- Clear jams, and remove defective or substandard materials or products.
- Review work orders, specifications, or instructions to determine materials, ingredients, procedures, components, settings, and adjustments for extruding, forming, pressing, or compacting machines.
- Turn controls to adjust machine functions, such as regulating air pressure, creating vacuums, and adjusting coolant flow.
- Clean dies, arbors, compression chambers, and molds, using swabs, sponges, or air hoses.
- Synchronize speeds of sections of machines when producing products involving several steps or processes.
- Move materials, supplies, components, and finished products between storage and work areas, using work aids such as racks, hoists, and handtrucks.
What to expect as an Extruder Machine Operator
1Earn a High school or GED Diploma
49% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Extruder Machine Operator related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
433 openings for Extruder Machine Operators
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
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