A professional who sets up and operates injection-molding machines to cast products from thermoplastic materials. Respnsibilities include:

• Installs dies on machine, according to work order specifications, using clamps, bolts, and handtools.
• Sets machine controls, regulating molding temperature, volume of plastic, molding pressure and time, according to knowledge of plastics and molding procedures.
• Dumps premixed plastic powders or pellets into hopper, and starts machine.
• Pulls lever to close dies and inject plastic into dies to cast part.
• Removes finished product from dies, using handtools.
• Trims excess material from part, using knife.
• May mix thermoplastic materials and coloring pigments in mixing machine, according to formula.
• May grind scrap plastic into powder for reuse.