Vacuum Form Machine Operator

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Job Summary

Builds molds, produces grid sheets and prototypes of three-dimensional products, and operates vacuum forming machine by performing the following duties personally.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Receives job assignment, specifications, and blueprint from supervisor.
• Produces three-dimensional model of final design and submit for approval. Make alterations as required.
• Determines if mold is to be concave or convex. Construct full-size mold from model.
• Receives plastic stock and checks sheets at random with micrometer for consistency across the extrusion. Record variations in sheet thickness.
• Inserts mold into forming machine. Draws several plain sheets to ascertain mold authenticity. Make corrections in mold as required.
• If specified, obtains permanent cast-aluminum mold.
• Obtains several clear sheets printed with grid pattern. Registers each in the mold and draws, forming all sheets within a normal production interval.
• Compares and checks sheets for repeatability.
• Marks areas on the sheet corresponding to design elements and color demarcations with marker. Traces entire design on several sheets.
• Repositions marked-up grid sheet in forming machine, and re-heats to relax the sheet. Allows to cool.
• Positions a matte polyester sheet onto grid sheet and secure.
• Plots distorted image onto overlay, including all elements of design.
• Routes completed overlay to pre-press department.
• Receives screen printed production sheets, inserts in forming machine and forms, duplicating heat dwell and vacuum draw used on prototypes.
• Reports any discrepancies in sheet registration.
• Vacuum forms job maintaining optimum print quality and production speed, and completes required jobs in an efficient, safe, and cost-effective manner.
• Completes production records as required.
• Ensures proper workstation cleanliness and performs routine maintenance on forming machine press, requisition parts or materials.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities. Carries out conduct and leadership responsibilities in accordance with company policies, procedures, safety, and applicable laws.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Skills

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information to one-on-one and small group situations to management, outside resources, and other employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standard situations.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit, stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes, toxic chemicals, and heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Some independent travel may be required.