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Consumer products are made with many

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metal and plastic parts.

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Metal and plastic machine workers

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set up the machines

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that produce the parts,

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and operate them during production.

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Hundreds of thousands of machine workers

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in the manufacturing industry

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work in different phases of production:

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following blueprints,

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they set up the machinery

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to produce the correct product.

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Machine setters prepare the machines

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before production and perform

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test runs of the initial batches,

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making repairs or adjustments as needed

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to ensure quality control.

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Then, operators take over,

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and may have to load the machine

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with metal or plastic materials

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or adjust machine controls during production.

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They periodically inspect the parts

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and conduct minor maintenance.

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At completion,

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they remove and test finished products,

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then document production numbers.

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Metal and plastic machine operators

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may specialize in a particular

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type of machine, for example:

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Computer-controlled machine tool operators

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operate robots to perform functions

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on workpieces.

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Computer numerically controlled machine

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tool programmers—called CNC workers—

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develop computer programs

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to control automated processes.

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They require more training

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than other machine workers.

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Extruding and drawing machine workers

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push out thermoplastic or metal materials

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in the form of tubes, rods, or hoses.

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Cutting, punching, and press machine workers

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run machines to saw, bend,

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or straighten materials.

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Molding, coremaking,

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and casting machine workers

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run machines to form metal

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or thermoplastic parts or products.

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Multiple machine tool setters,

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operators, and tenders

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set up or operate more than one type of cutting

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or forming machine tool or robot.

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Manufacturing facilities

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typically employ machine workers full time,

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usually in shifts that include evenings,

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weekends, and frequent overtime.

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With automation, multiple machines may be

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controlled at the same time,

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so workers train on different machines

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and gain a variety of skills.

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Because these workers operate powerful,

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high-speed machines,

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most usually wear protective equipment,

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such as safety glasses, earplugs,

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and steel-toed boots.

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Respirators are common for those

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in the plastics industry

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who work near materials

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that emit dangerous fumes or dust.

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Employers prefer to hire candidates

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with high school education,

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then train machine operators on the job.