Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: Career & Application Guide

What do rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do?

Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate, or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of 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.

Breakdown Mill Operator
Calender Operator
Cold Mill Operator
Machine Operator
Mill Operator
Rolling Mill Operator
Roughing Mill Operator
Temper Mill Operator

Core tasks to compare with a job posting

Monitor machine cycles and mill operation to detect jamming and to ensure that products conform to specifications.
Adjust and correct machine set-ups to reduce thicknesses, reshape products, and eliminate product defects.
Start operation of rolling and milling machines to flatten, temper, form, and reduce sheet metal sections and to produce steel strips.
Examine, inspect, and measure raw materials and finished products to verify conformance to specifications.
Read rolling orders, blueprints, and mill schedules to determine setup specifications, work sequences, product dimensions, and installation procedures.
Manipulate controls and observe dial indicators to monitor, adjust, and regulate speeds of machine mechanisms.
Set distance points between rolls, guides, meters, and stops, according to specifications.
Calculate draft space and roll speed for each mill stand to plan rolling sequences and specified dimensions and tempers.
Install equipment such as guides, guards, gears, cooling equipment, and rolls, using hand tools.
Position, align, and secure arbors, spindles, coils, mandrels, dies, and slitting knives.

Prepare an application for this occupation

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

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