Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Description

Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.

Tasks

  • Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices such as rulers, micrometers, or scales.
  • Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
  • Stack and sort cut material for packaging, further processing, or shipping, according to types and sizes of material.
  • Review work orders, blueprints, specifications, or job samples to determine components, settings, and adjustments for cutting and slicing machines.
  • Type instructions on computer keyboards, push buttons to activate computer programs, or manually set cutting guides, clamps, and knives.
  • Remove defective or substandard materials from machines, and readjust machine components so that products meet standards.
  • Press buttons, pull levers, or depress pedals to start and operate cutting and slicing machines.
  • Adjust machine controls to alter position, alignment, speed, or pressure.
  • Maintain production records, such as quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.
  • Monitor operation of cutting or slicing machines to detect malfunctions or to determine whether supplies need replenishment.
  • Start machines to verify setups, and make any necessary adjustments.
  • Remove completed materials or products from cutting or slicing machines, and stack or store them for additional processing.
  • Select and install machine components such as cutting blades, rollers, and templates, according to specifications, using hand tools.
  • Move stock or scrap to and from machines manually, or by using carts, handtrucks, or lift trucks.
  • Clean and lubricate cutting machines, conveyors, blades, saws, or knives, using steam hoses, scrapers, brushes, or oil cans.
  • Operate cranes, or signal crane operators to position or remove stone from cars or saw beds.
  • Feed stock into cutting machines, onto conveyors, or under cutting blades, by threading, guiding, pushing, or turning handwheels.
  • Position stock along cutting lines, or against stops on beds of scoring or cutting machines.
  • Start pumps to circulate water and abrasives onto blades or cables during cutting.
  • Change or replace saw blades, cables, cutter heads, and grinding wheels, using hand tools.
  • Mark cutting lines or identifying information on stock, using marking pencils, rulers, or scribes.
  • Turn cranks or press buttons to activate winches that move cars under sawing cables or saw frames.
  • Position width gauge blocks between blades, and level blades and insert wedges into frames to secure blades to frames.
  • Direct workers on cutting teams.
  • Tighten pulleys or add abrasives to maintain cutting speeds.
  • Cut stock manually to prepare for machine cutting, using tools such as knives, cleavers, handsaws, or hammers and chisels.
  • Sharpen cutting blades, knives, or saws, using files, bench grinders, or honing stones.
  • Wash stones, using water hoses.

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.
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Skills

Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Operation Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Abilities

Control Precision
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Finger Dexterity
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Work Activities

Controlling Machines and Processes
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Handling and Moving Objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Performing General Physical Activities
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Work Context

Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?

Interests

Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Work Style

Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Self Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Work Values

Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Lay Titles

Abrasive Sawyer
Almond Cutting Machine Tender
Angle Shearer
Apple Peeler Operator
Applique Cutter
Arch Cushion Skiving Machine Operator
Automatic Glass Cutting Machine Operator
Automatic Outsole Cutter
Automatic Steel Tie Adjuster
Bag Cutter
Balloon Maker
Band Cutter
Band Saw Operator
Band Sawing Machine Operator
Bead Trimmer
Beam Press Operator
Beater Dumper
Beater Engineer
Beater Machine Operator
Beater Operator
Beater Tender
Belt Cutter
Bias Cutter
Bias Machine Operator
Binder Cutter
Binder Layer
Bindery Operator
Block Cutter
Block Splitter Operator
Blockers Skiver
Blue Prints Trimmer
Book Binder
Book Trimmer
Booker
Bread Slicer, Machine
Brick Setter Operator
Brush Machine Setter
Button Breaker
Button Decorating Machine Operator
Cap Cutter
Carbon Cutter
Card Cutter
Carver
Celery Cutter
Char Belt Operator
Cheese Cutter
Cheese Handler
Chipper
Chopper
Circle Shear Operator
Circular Knife Machine Cutter
Citrus Peeler
Clicker
Clicker Operator
Clicking Machine Operator
Clipper
Comb Machine Operator
Compensator
Concaving Machine Operator
Converting Operator
Cord Cutter
Core Cutter and Reamer
Cork Cutter
Corn Cutter
Corner Cutter
Counter Cutter
Cover Cutter
Crayon Sawyer
Crystal Cutter
Cube Cutter
Cut Off Operator Scorer
Cut-Lace Machine Operator
Cut-Off Machine Operator
Cutter
Cutter Down

National Wages and Employment Info

Median Wages (2008):
$15.11 hourly, $31,430 annual.
Employment (2008):
56,560 employees