Career summary

Details for Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders


Description

Set up, operate, or tend continuous flow or vat-type equipment; filter presses; shaker screens; centrifuges; condenser tubes; precipitating, fermenting, or evaporating tanks; scrubbing towers; or batch stills. These machines extract, sort, or separate liquids, gases, or solids from other materials to recover a refined product. Includes dairy processing equipment operators.

Tasks

  • Set up or adjust machine controls to regulate conditions such as material flow, temperature, or pressure.
  • Monitor material flow or instruments, such as temperature or pressure gauges, indicators, or meters, to ensure optimal processing conditions.
  • Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
  • Test samples to determine viscosity, acidity, specific gravity, or degree of concentration, using test equipment such as viscometers, pH meters, or hydrometers.
  • Measure or weigh materials to be refined, mixed, transferred, stored, or otherwise processed.
  • Clean or sterilize tanks, screens, inflow pipes, production areas, or equipment, using hoses, brushes, scrapers, or chemical solutions.
  • Inspect machines or equipment for hazards, operating efficiency, malfunctions, wear, or leaks.
  • Dump, pour, or load specified amounts of refined or unrefined materials into equipment or containers for further processing or storage.
  • Connect pipes between vats and processing equipment.
  • Communicate processing instructions to other workers.
  • Remove clogs, defects, or impurities from machines, tanks, conveyors, screens, or other processing equipment.
  • Install, maintain, or repair hoses, pumps, filters, or screens to maintain processing equipment, using hand tools.
  • Turn valves to pump sterilizing solutions or rinse water through pipes or equipment or to spray vats with atomizers.
  • Remove full containers from discharge outlets and replace them with empty containers.
  • Pack bottles into cartons or crates, using machines.
  • Operate machines to process materials in compliance with applicable safety, energy, or environmental regulations.
  • Turn valves or move controls to admit, drain, separate, filter, clarify, mix, or transfer materials.
  • Examine samples to verify qualities such as clarity, cleanliness, consistency, dryness, or texture.
  • Start agitators, shakers, conveyors, pumps, or centrifuge machines.
  • Maintain logs of instrument readings, test results, or shift production for entry in computer databases.
  • Assemble fittings, valves, bowls, plates, disks, impeller shafts, or other parts to prepare equipment for operation.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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

  • 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.

Skills

None found.

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