Occupation Profile for Plating and Coating Machine Operators

opportunity | video

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. Includes electrolytic processes.

Signficant Points

  • Manufacturing industries employ more than 90 percent of workers.
  • A few weeks of on-the-job training is sufficient for most workers to learn basic machine operations, but a year or more is required to become a highly skilled operator or setter.
  • Overall employment of machine setters, operators, and tenders is projected to decline rapidly over the 2006-16 period as a result of productivity improvements and competition for jobs from abroad.
  • Those who can operate multiple machines will have the best opportunities for advancement and for gaining jobs with more long-term potential.
 

Tasks

  • Core — Inspect coated or plated areas for defects such as air bubbles or uneven coverage.
  • Core — Immerse objects to be coated or plated into cleaning solutions, or spray objects with conductive solutions to prepare them for plating.
  • Core — 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.
  • Core — Maintain production records.
  • Core — Adjust controls to set temperatures of coating substances and speeds of machines and equipment.

Activities

  • Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • 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.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.