Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Extruder Operator
Extrusion Operator
Glass Forming Crew Member
Machine Operator
Press Operator
Tuber Operator

What is a Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?

Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders are skilled professionals responsible for operating and managing machines that shape materials such as plastic, metal, and other composites into products or components. They work in various manufacturing environments, utilizing machinery to perform processes like extrusion, where materials are pushed through a die to create specific shapes; forming, which involves shaping materials through mechanical force; pressing, which typically involves compressing materials into molds; and compacting, which involves densifying loose materials into solid shapes. These roles require a strong understanding of machine operations, quality control measures, and material properties, along with the ability to troubleshoot and maintain equipment to ensure efficient production. Operators must also adhere to safety protocols and guidelines, as the machinery involved can be complex and potentially hazardous. The ultimate goal of these professionals is to produce high-quality products that meet the specifications and needs of clients and industries they serve.

Career Assessment
Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

$32100.0 - $61350.0

New job opportunities are likely in the future. : Average

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Assessment

Related assessments and tests

No assessment available.

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Tasks

  • Adjust machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, and temperatures, and amounts, dimensions, and flow of materials or ingredients.
  • Press control buttons to activate machinery and equipment.
  • Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as templates, micrometers, or scales.
  • Monitor machine operations and observe lights and gauges to detect malfunctions.
  • Clear jams, and remove defective or substandard materials or products.

Technology Skills

Knowledge

  • Production and Processing

    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

  • Mechanical

    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

  • Computers and Electronics

    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

0 Active Jobs in South Africa
Avg Salary: R18,958pm

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How Technology is Transforming Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Roles in South Africa

So, I’ve been looking at the manufacturing sector lately. With the average salary for machine operators and setters sitting around R18,958 per month in South Africa, is it still a viable career path with all this new technology coming in?

It’s a great question. While the market data shows a bit of a quiet spell with active job listings right now, the industry itself isn't dying—it’s evolving. In South African plants, from plastic extrusion in Gauteng to metal pressing in the Eastern Cape, the "old way" of doing things is being replaced by "Smart Manufacturing." If you’re willing to adapt, it’s a very viable career, but the job description is changing from manual labour to technical oversight.

What does that actually look like on the factory floor? What are the new tools people are using?

In the past, a setter might have used a wrench and manual gauges to organise a machine run. Today, we’re seeing the rise of advanced Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs). These are sophisticated touchscreens that allow operators to programme precise specifications into the machine. We’re also seeing the integration of IoT (Internet of Things) sensors. These sensors live inside the pressing or extruding machines and feed real-time data to the operator about heat, pressure, and material flow. You aren't just watching a machine anymore; you’re managing a digital process.

I keep hearing about AI. Is Artificial Intelligence actually going to impact someone working on a hydraulic press or an extruding line?

Absolutely, but perhaps not in the way you’d think. AI isn’t necessarily replacing the human; it’s acting as a "predictive" partner. In many South African factories, AI is being used for predictive maintenance. Instead of the machine breaking down and stopping production for a day, the AI realises that a component is likely to fail in the next 48 hours based on vibration patterns. For the operator, this means less frantic "emergency" fixing and more planned, calm technical work. AI also helps in reducing waste—it can calculate the exact amount of raw material needed for a compacting run far more accurately than a manual calculation could.

That sounds like a lot of technical stuff. How do current workers need to adapt to keep their jobs?

The biggest adaptation is moving from a "muscle" mindset to a "monitor" mindset. You have to become comfortable with data. If the machine output shows a 2% variance, you need to know how to interpret that on a screen rather than just feeling the heat of the metal. There’s also a big push toward "Cobots"—collaborative robots. You might find yourself working alongside a robotic arm that does the heavy lifting or the repetitive packing, while you focus on the complex setting and quality control side of the operation.

What specific skills should I be looking to gain for the future?

If you want to stay competitive and move beyond that R18,958 average, you should focus on these four areas:

  • Digital Literacy: Understanding how to navigate complex software interfaces and industrial operating systems.
  • Basic Data Analysis: Being able to look at a production report and realise where the bottlenecks are occurring.
  • Mechatronics: A basic understanding of how electronics and mechanical systems work together is becoming vital for modern setters.
  • Problem-Solving: As machines become more automated, the "easy" problems are solved by the computer. The human is there to solve the complex, non-routine issues that the programme can’t handle.

Do you have any final expert advice for someone currently in this field or looking to start?

Don't be intimidated by the "0 Active Jobs" stat you might see today. In South Africa, many of these roles are filled through internal networks or specialised recruiters because the skill set is becoming so niche. My advice? Don't just be a "tender" who watches a machine. Strive to be a "setter" who understands the programming and the "why" behind the process. The more you understand the digital side of the machinery, the more indispensable you become to your employer. Keep your eye on local certifications in CNC programming or industrial automation—they are gold on a CV right now.

Ready to see where you fit in the future of manufacturing?

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Skills

  • Operation and Control

    Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

  • Operations Monitoring

    Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

  • Monitoring

    Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

  • Speaking

    Talking to others to convey information effectively.

  • Active Listening

    Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Abilities

  • Perceptual Speed

    The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.

  • Rate Control

    The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.

  • Reaction Time

    The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

  • Arm-Hand Steadiness

    The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

  • Manual Dexterity

    The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

  • High school diploma or equivalent
    78 %

    or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate

  • Post-secondary certificate
    9 %

    Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)

  • Some college, no degree
    8 %

Work Activities

  • Controlling Machines and Processes

    Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

  • Getting Information

    Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

    Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

    Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

    Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
  • Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products.
  • Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
  • Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
  • Inspect metal, plastic, or composite products.

Work Interests

  • Realistic

    Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

  • Conventional

    Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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This page incorporates data from O_NET OnLine, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), under the CC BY 4.0 license. O_NET is a registered trademark of USDOL/ETA. Assessify has adapted and modified the original content. Please note that USDOL/ETA has neither reviewed nor endorsed these changes.