Will AI Replace Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?

Measure and examine extruded products to locate defects and to check for conformance to specifications, adjusting controls as necessary to alter products.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Determine setup procedures and select machine dies and parts, according to specifications.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Start machines and set controls to regulate vacuum, air pressure, sizing rings, and temperature, and to synchronize speed of extrusion.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Reel extruded products into rolls of specified lengths and weights.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Install dies, machine screws, and sizing rings on machines that extrude thermoplastic or metal materials.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Change dies on extruding machines, according to production line changes.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Clean work areas.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Troubleshoot, maintain, and make minor repairs to equipment.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Weigh and mix pelletized, granular, or powdered thermoplastic materials and coloring pigments.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Test physical properties of products with testing devices such as acid-bath testers, burst testers, and impact testers.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Load machine hoppers with mixed materials, using augers, or stuff rolls of plastic dough into machine cylinders.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Maintain an inventory of materials.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Adjust controls to draw or press metal into specified shapes and diameters.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Replace worn dies when products vary from specifications.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Select nozzles, spacers, and wire guides, according to diameters and lengths of rods.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Operate shearing mechanisms to cut rods to specified lengths.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.