Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders

What this job is

Operate or tend bonding machines that use adhesives to join items for further processing or to form a completed product. Processes include joining veneer sheets into plywood; gluing paper; or joining rubber and rubberized fabric parts, plastic, simulated leather, or other materials.

What they do day to day

• Align and position materials being joined to ensure accurate application of adhesive or heat sealing.
• Adjust machine components according to specifications such as widths, lengths, and thickness of materials and amounts of glue, cement, or adhesive required.
• Monitor machine operations to detect malfunctions and report or resolve problems.
• Start machines, and turn valves or move controls to feed, admit, apply, or transfer materials and adhesives, and to adjust temperature, pressure, and time settings.
• Fill machines with glue, cement, or adhesives.
• Perform test production runs and make adjustments as necessary to ensure that completed products meet standards and specifications.
• Examine and measure completed materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices such as tape measures, gauges, or calipers.
• Read work orders and communicate with coworkers to determine machine and equipment settings and adjustments and supply and product specifications.
• Remove and stack completed materials or products, and restock materials to be joined.
• Observe gauges, meters, and control panels to obtain information about equipment temperatures and pressures, or the speed of feeders or conveyors.

Skills and knowledge that matter most

Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).

Education and preparation

Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.

Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.

Who this job suits

Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.

Job titles you'll see in postings

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