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Career Details

51-4023.00 - Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic


Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate, or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
33,700
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
29,100
Estimate
Change in Employment
-4,600
Estimate
Change in Employment %
-13.5%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Adjust and correct machine set-ups to reduce thicknesses, reshape products, and eliminate product defects.
  • Monitor machine cycles and mill operation to detect jamming and to ensure that products conform to specifications.
  • Examine, inspect, and measure raw materials and finished products to verify conformance to specifications.
  • Read rolling orders, blueprints, and mill schedules to determine setup specifications, work sequences, product dimensions, and installation procedures.
  • Manipulate controls and observe dial indicators to monitor, adjust, and regulate speeds of machine mechanisms.
  • Start operation of rolling and milling machines to flatten, temper, form, and reduce sheet metal sections and to produce steel strips.
  • Set distance points between rolls, guides, meters, and stops, according to specifications.
  • Position, align, and secure arbors, spindles, coils, mandrels, dies, and slitting knives.
  • Direct and train other workers to change rolls, operate mill equipment, remove coils and cobbles, and band and load material.
  • Fill oil cups, adjust valves, and observe gauges to control flow of metal coolants and lubricants onto workpieces.
  • Record mill production on schedule sheets.
  • Install equipment such as guides, guards, gears, cooling equipment, and rolls, using hand tools.
  • Signal and assist other workers to remove and position equipment, fill hoppers, and feed materials into machines.
  • Calculate draft space and roll speed for each mill stand to plan rolling sequences and specified dimensions and tempers.
  • Activate shears and grinders to trim workpieces.
Supplemental
  • Thread or feed sheets or rods through rolling mechanisms, or start and control mechanisms that automatically feed steel into rollers.
  • Select rolls, dies, roll stands, and chucks from data charts to form specified contours and to fabricate products.
  • Remove scratches and polish roll surfaces, using polishing stones and electric buffers.
  • Disassemble sizing mills removed from rolling lines, and sort and store parts.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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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.
 Mechanical
  • 77%
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
 Production and Processing
  • 70%
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
 English Language
  • 68%
    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
  • 62%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Administration and Management
  • 57%
    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
  • 52%
    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.
 Engineering and Technology
  • 52%
    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.
 Mathematics
  • 52%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Public Safety and Security
  • 51%
    Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 50%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Lifting equipment and accessories
  • Chain hoists
  • Electric overhead traveling EOT cranes
 Metal rolling machines
  • Cluster rolling mills
  • Finishing mills
  • Four-high rolling mills
  • Roughing mills
  • Tandem rolling mills
  • Three-high rolling mills
  • Two-high reversing rolling mills
  • Two-high rolling mills
 Length and thickness and distance measuring instruments
  • Diameter gauges
  • Digital calipers
  • Digital radius gauges
  • Digital strain gauges
  • Height gauges
  • Plate outline gauges
  • Ring gauges
  • Sheet metal gauges
  • Weighing load cells
  • Width gauges
 Transducers
  • Displacement transducers
  • Fluid pressure transducers
 Indicating and recording instruments
  • Hot metal detectors
  • Optical gauges
 Pumps
  • Roll lubrication systems
 Wrenches and drivers
  • Straight screwdrivers
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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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.
 Advanced
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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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
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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
Virginia Peninsula Community College