Career & application guide

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Get to know the work, the skills that matter, and how to prepare your next application.

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What do cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do?

Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

Job titles to recognize in your search

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

  • Die Setter
  • Fabrication Operator
  • Machine Operator
  • Machine Setter
  • Press Brake Operator
  • Press Operator
  • Punch Press Operator
  • Saw Operator

Core tasks to compare with a job posting

  • Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers.
  • Examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws.
  • Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances.
  • Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data.
  • Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
  • Test and adjust machine speeds or actions, according to product specifications, using gauges and hand tools.
  • Load workpieces, plastic material, or chemical solutions into machines.
  • Turn controls to set cutting speeds, feed rates, or table angles for specified operations.
  • Clean work area.

Prepare an application for this occupation

  1. Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
  2. Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
  3. Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
  4. Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.

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