Metal & Plastic Plating Jobs: Setters & Operators

Also called: Alodize Machine Operator, Anode Machine Operator, Anodic Operator, Anodic Treater, Anodize Machine Operator

Metal & Plastic Plating Jobs: Setters & Operators

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estimated salary

Plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic set up, operate, or tend plating machines to coat metal or plastic products with chromium, zinc, copper, cadmium, nickel, or other metal to protect or decorate surfaces. Typically, the product being coated is immersed in molten metal or an electrolytic solution.

  • Immerse workpieces in coating solutions or liquid metal or plastic for specified times.
  • Adjust dials to regulate flow of current and voltage supplied to terminals to control plating processes.
  • Inspect coated or plated areas for defects, such as air bubbles or uneven coverage.
  • Set up, operate, or tend plating or coating machines to coat metal or plastic products with chromium, zinc, copper, cadmium, nickel, or other metal to protect or decorate surfaces.
  • Observe gauges to ensure that machines are operating properly, making adjustments or stopping machines when problems occur.
  • Remove objects from solutions at periodic intervals and observe objects to verify conformance to specifications.
  • Maintain production records.
  • Remove excess materials or impurities from objects, using air hoses or grinding machines.
  • Examine completed objects to determine thicknesses of metal deposits, or measure thicknesses by using instruments such as micrometers.
  • Rinse coated objects in cleansing liquids and dry them with cloths, centrifugal driers, or by tumbling in sawdust-filled barrels.
  • Determine sizes and compositions of objects to be plated, and amounts of electrical current and time required.
  • Test machinery to ensure that it is operating properly.
  • Measure or weigh materials, using rulers, calculators, and scales.
  • Measure, mark, and mask areas to be excluded from plating.
  • Immerse objects to be coated or plated into cleaning solutions, or spray objects with conductive solutions to prepare them for plating.
  • Read production schedules to determine setups of equipment and machines.
  • Suspend objects, such as parts or molds from cathode rods, or negative terminals, and immerse objects in plating solutions.
  • Suspend sticks or pieces of plating metal from anodes, or positive terminals, and immerse metal in plating solutions.
  • Adjust controls to set temperatures of coating substances and speeds of machines and equipment.
  • Monitor and measure thicknesses of electroplating on component parts to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers.
  • Operate hoists to place workpieces onto machine feed carriages or spindles.
  • Position and feed materials into processing machines, by hand or by using automated equipment.
  • Position objects to be plated in frames, or suspend them from positive or negative terminals of power supplies.
  • Operate sandblasting equipment to roughen and clean surfaces of workpieces.
  • Spray coating in specified patterns according to instructions.
  • Clean and maintain equipment, using water hoses and scrapers.
  • Plate small objects, such as nuts or bolts, using motor-driven barrels.
  • Clean workpieces, using wire brushes.
  • Mix and test solutions, and turn valves to fill tanks with solutions.
  • Replace worn parts and adjust equipment components, using hand tools.
  • Place plated or coated materials on racks and transfer them to ovens to dry for specified periods of time.
  • Measure and set stops, rolls, brushes, and guides on automatic feeders and conveying equipment or coating machines, using micrometers, rules, and hand tools.
  • Position containers to receive parts, and load or unload materials in containers, using dollies or handtrucks.
  • Attach nozzles, position guns, connect hoses, and thread wire to set up metal-spraying machines.
  • Perform equipment maintenance, such as cleaning tanks and lubricating moving parts of conveyors.
  • Install gears and holding devices on conveyor equipment.
  • Preheat workpieces in ovens.
  • Cut metal or other materials, using shears or band saws.
Work Context

Work Context information for this career will be available soon.

Work Activities
  • Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Inspect finishes of workpieces or finished products.
  • Immerse objects or workpieces in cleaning or coating solutions.
  • Apply protective or decorative finishes to workpieces or products.
  • Immerse objects or workpieces in cleaning or coating solutions.
  • Operate painting or coating equipment.
  • Feed materials or products into or through equipment.
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Knowledge

Production and Processing
  • Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Mathematics
  • Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Chemistry
  • Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
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Skills

Operation Monitoring
  • Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Operation and Control
  • Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
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Abilities

Near Vision
  • The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Control Precision
  • The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Manual Dexterity
  • The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Computer aided design CAD software
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Hot Technology
  • Computer aided design CAD software Hot Technology
Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology
Electronic mail software
  • Microsoft Outlook Hot Technology
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