Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Career Overview

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

Also Known As

• Blacksmith
• Forge Operator
• Hammer Operator
• Machine Operator

Alternate Job Titles

• Air Table Operator
• Anvil Seating Press Operator
• Automatic Casting-Forging Machine Operator
• Blacksmith
• Board Hammer Operator
• Bolt Machine Operator
• Buckshot Swage Operator
• Bulldozer Operator
• Bulldozer Press Operator
• Cage Maker
• Charging Manipulator
• Cold Header Operator
• Die Forger
• Die Holder
• Die Machine Operator

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Read work orders or blueprints to determine specified tolerances and sequences of operations for machine setup.
• Position and move metal wires or workpieces through a series of dies that compress and shape stock to form die impressions.
• Measure and inspect machined parts to ensure conformance to product specifications.
• 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.
• Turn handles or knobs to set pressures and depths of ram strokes and to synchronize machine operations.
• Install, adjust, and remove dies, synchronizing cams, forging hammers, and stop guides, using overhead cranes or other hoisting devices, and hand tools.
• Start machines to produce sample workpieces, and observe operations to detect machine malfunctions and to verify that machine setups conform to specifications.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Production and Processing
• Mathematics
• Education and Training

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Near Vision
• Oral Comprehension
• Information Ordering
• Oral Expression
• Control Precision
• Written Comprehension
• Problem Sensitivity
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Reaction Time
• Inductive Reasoning

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Dependability
• Attention to Detail
• Cautiousness
• Stress Tolerance
• Achievement Orientation

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Support
• Relationships
• Working Conditions
• Achievement
• Recognition

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Technology You'll Use

Tools & Equipment

• Automatic conveyors
• Automatic roll forging machines
• Band cutters
• Beam type torque wrenches
• Bench grinders
• Bevel protractors
• Blanking presses
• Digital micrometers
• Disc grinders
• Drill presses
• Electric overhead traveling EOT cranes
• Face shields
• Flanging machines
• Forging dies
• Forging tongs

Work Environment

• Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• Time Pressure
• Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$35,150
Median	$49,240
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$69,540

Workers Employed Nationally: 8,760

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.