Career Details
Career Details

Career Details

Return to the Search

51-4022.00 - Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic


Set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.


Key Facts
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
21,600
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
17,000
Estimate
Change in Employment
-4,600
Estimate
Change in Employment %
-21.5%
Estimate
Tasks
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Measure and inspect machined parts to ensure conformance to product specifications.
  • Read work orders or blueprints to determine specified tolerances and sequences of operations for machine setup.
  • Start machines to produce sample workpieces, and observe operations to detect machine malfunctions and to verify that machine setups conform to specifications.
  • Remove dies from machines when production runs are finished.
  • Turn handles or knobs to set pressures and depths of ram strokes and to synchronize machine operations.
  • Confer with other workers about machine setups and operational specifications.
  • Repair, maintain, and replace parts on dies.
  • Set up, operate, or tend presses and forging machines to perform hot or cold forging by flattening, straightening, bending, cutting, piercing, or other operations to taper, shape, or form metal.
  • Position and move metal wires or workpieces through a series of dies that compress and shape stock to form die impressions.
  • Install, adjust, and remove dies, synchronizing cams, forging hammers, and stop guides, using overhead cranes or other hoisting devices, and hand tools.
  • Trim and compress finished forgings to specified tolerances.
Supplemental
  • Select, align, and bolt positioning fixtures, stops, and specified dies to rams and anvils, forging rolls, or presses and hammers.
  • Sharpen cutting tools and drill bits, using bench grinders.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Production and Processing
  • 83%
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
 Mathematics
  • 73%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Education and Training
  • 72%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Mechanical
  • 70%
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
 Engineering and Technology
  • 65%
    Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
 Design
  • 61%
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
 English Language
  • 58%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 58%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Administration and Management
  • 58%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 56%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Clerical
  • 54%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 Transportation
  • 53%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
 Chemistry
  • 50%
    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.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Conveyors and accessories
  • Automatic conveyors
 Forging machines
  • Automatic roll forging machines
  • Hammer forging machinery
  • Hydraulic drop forging hammers
  • Hydraulic forging presses
  • Hydraulic roll forging machines
  • Hydraulic trim presses
  • Mechanical forging presses
 Cutting and crimping and punching tools
  • Band cutters
  • Power nibblers
  • Shears
  • Straight tinners snips
 Wrenches and drivers
  • Beam type torque wrenches
  • Slotted screwdrivers
 Metal grinding machines
  • Bench grinders
 Drafting supplies
  • Bevel protractors
 Metal cutting machines
  • Blanking presses
  • Metal band sawing machines
  • Sheet metal shearing machines
 Length and thickness and distance measuring instruments
  • Digital micrometers
  • Precision rulers
  • Radial gauges
  • Tapered feeler gauges
  • Vernier calipers
 Power tools
  • Disc grinders
  • Metal cutting routers
  • Power riveters
  • Power sanders
  • Variable speed routers
 Metal drilling machines
  • Drill presses
  • Punch presses
  • Stationary drill presses
  • Turret punches
 Lifting equipment and accessories
  • Electric overhead traveling EOT cranes
  • Hoisting devices
 Face and head protection
  • Face shields
 Metal bending machines
  • Flanging machines
  • Sheet metal press brakes
  • Sheet metal rolls
 Metal forming dies and tooling
  • Forging dies
 Holding and clamping tools
  • Forging tongs
 Heating equipment and parts and accessories
  • Gas furnaces
  • Oil furnaces
 Forming tools
  • Hand mallets
  • Planishing hammers
  • Portable anvils
 Measuring and layout tools
  • Layout squares
 Precision hand tools
  • Magnifying glasses
 Pneumatic tools
  • Pneumatic power drills
 Hearing protectors
  • Protective ear plugs
 Safety footwear
  • Protective shoes
 Safety apparel
  • Safety gloves
 Vision protection and accessories
  • Safety goggles
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Data management and query software
  • Data entry softwareHOT
 Information exchange software
  • Email software
 Business function specific software
  • Inventory tracking software
 Industry specific software
  • Machine control software
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Certifications
FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific certifications are listed for this career
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Tidewater Community College
 Programs
Virginia Peninsula Community College
 Programs