Will AI Replace Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?

Measure and visually inspect products for surface and dimension defects to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Observe continuous operation of automatic machines to ensure that products meet specifications and to detect jams or malfunctions, making adjustments as necessary.

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

Set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.

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

Turn valves and dials of machines to regulate pressure, temperature, and speed and feed rates, and to set cycle times.

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

Read specifications, blueprints, and work orders to determine setups, temperatures, and time settings required to mold, form, or cast plastic materials, as well as to plan production sequences.

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

Observe meters and gauges to verify and record temperatures, pressures, and press-cycle times.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Connect water hoses to cooling systems of dies, using hand tools.

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

Remove parts, such as dies, from machines after production runs are finished.

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

Perform maintenance work such as cleaning and oiling machines.

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

Smooth and clean inner surfaces of molds, using brushes, scrapers, air hoses, or grinding wheels, and fill imperfections with refractory material.

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

Operate hoists to position dies or patterns on foundry floors.

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

Cool products after processing to prevent distortion.

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

Install dies onto machines or presses and coat dies with parting agents, according to work order specifications.

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

Unload finished products from conveyor belts, pack them in containers, and place containers in warehouses.

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

Remove finished or cured products from dies or molds, using hand tools, air hoses, and other equipment, stamping identifying information on products when necessary.

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

Obtain and move specified patterns to work stations, manually or using hoists, and secure patterns to machines, using wrenches.

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

Select and install blades, tools, or other attachments for each operation.

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

Repair or replace damaged molds, pipes, belts, chains, or other equipment, using hand tools, hand-powered presses, or jib cranes.

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

Inventory and record quantities of materials and finished products, requisitioning additional supplies as necessary.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Select coolants and lubricants, and start their flow.

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

Adjust equipment and workpiece holding fixtures, such as mold frames, tubs, and cutting tables, to ensure proper functioning.

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

Maintain inventories of materials.

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

Position and secure workpieces on machines, and start feeding mechanisms.

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

Trim excess material from parts, using knives, and grind scrap plastic into powder for reuse.

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

Mix and measure compounds, or weigh premixed compounds, and dump them into machine tubs, cavities, or molds.

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

Spray, smoke, or coat molds with compounds to lubricate or insulate molds, using acetylene torches or sprayers.

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

Preheat tools, dies, plastic materials, or patterns, using blowtorches or other equipment.

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

Pour or load metal or sand into melting pots, furnaces, molds, or hoppers, using shovels, ladles, or machines.

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

Skim or pour dross, slag, or impurities from molten metal, using ladles, rakes, hoes, spatulas, or spoons.

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