Career summary

Details for Cementing and Gluing Machine Operators and Tenders


Description

Operate or tend cementing and gluing machines to join items for further processing or to form a completed product. Processes include joining veneer sheets into plywood; gluing paper; joining rubber and rubberized fabric parts, plastic, simulated leather, or other materials.

Tasks

  • Examine and measure completed materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices such as tape measures, gauges, or calipers.
  • Adjust machine components according to specifications such as widths, lengths, and thickness of materials and amounts of glue, cement, or adhesive required.
  • Monitor machine operations to detect malfunctions and report or resolve problems.
  • Read work orders and communicate with coworkers to determine machine and equipment settings and adjustments and supply and product specifications.
  • Fill machines with glue, cement, or adhesives.
  • Mount or load material such as paper, plastic, wood, or rubber in feeding mechanisms of cementing or gluing machines.
  • Maintain production records such as quantities, dimensions, and thicknesses of materials processed.
  • Start machines, and turn valves or move controls to feed, admit, apply, or transfer materials and adhesives, and to adjust temperature, pressure, and time settings.
  • Perform test production runs and make adjustments as necessary to ensure that completed products meet standards and specifications.
  • Remove jammed materials from machines and readjust components as necessary to resume normal operations.
  • Align and position materials being joined to ensure accurate application of adhesive or heat sealing.
  • Observe gauges, meters, and control panels to obtain information about equipment temperatures and pressures, or the speed of feeders or conveyors.
  • Remove and stack completed materials or products, and restock materials to be joined.
  • Clean and maintain gluing and cementing machines, using solutions, lubricants, brushes, and scrapers.
  • Transport materials, supplies, and finished products between storage and work areas, using forklifts.
  • Measure and mix ingredients to prepare glue.
  • Depress pedals to lower electrodes that heat and seal edges of material.

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.

Education, training, experience

  • Education - These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
  • Training - Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
  • Experience - Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

Knowledge

  • Computers and Electronics -Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Chemistry -Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  • English Language -Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • 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.
  • Mechanical -Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Production and Processing -Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Skills

  • Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Related careers