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

Set up, operate, or tend plating machines to coat metal or plastic products with chromium, zinc, copper, cadmium, nickel, or other metal to protect or decorate surfaces. Typically, the product being coated is immersed in molten metal or an electrolytic solution.

What you’d do

  • Immerse workpieces in coating solutions or liquid metal or plastic for specified times.
  • Adjust dials to regulate flow of current and voltage supplied to terminals to control plating processes.
  • Inspect coated or plated areas for defects, such as air bubbles or uneven coverage.
  • Set up, operate, or tend plating or coating machines to coat metal or plastic products with chromium, zinc, copper, cadmium, nickel, or other metal to protect or decorate surfaces.
  • Observe gauges to ensure that machines are operating properly, making adjustments or stopping machines when problems occur.
  • Remove objects from solutions at periodic intervals and observe objects to verify conformance to specifications.
  • Maintain production records.
  • Remove excess materials or impurities from objects, using air hoses or grinding machines.

Skills that matter

  • Operations Monitoring
  • Active Listening
  • Monitoring
  • Operation and Control
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Coordination

How to get there

Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

Also called

  • Anodizer
  • Chrome Plater
  • Electro Plater
  • Plater
  • Anodizing Line Operator
  • Coater Associate
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