Watch clips from "How It's Made" to see how objects like artificial limbs, nails, footballs, mustard, and more are made. Choose a few to watch--which one surprised you most?

Watch how the objects all around us are made.

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.

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.

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

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

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

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

The ability to see details at a distance.

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

Set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.

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.

Realistic

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.

Conventional

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Investigative

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Artistic

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Enterprising

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Social

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

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

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

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

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

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

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

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

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.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Production Occupations

Other Production Occupations

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.

Notify supervisors when extruded filaments fail to meet standards.

Record and maintain production data, such as meter readings, and quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.

Review work orders, specifications, or instructions to determine materials, ingredients, procedures, components, settings, and adjustments for extruding, forming, pressing, or compacting machines.

Turn controls to adjust machine functions, such as regulating air pressure, creating vacuums, and adjusting coolant flow.

Clean dies, arbors, compression chambers, and molds, using swabs, sponges, or air hoses.

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

SAP software

Microsoft Office software

Microsoft Word

Production scheduling software

Computer numerically controlled CNC Extruders

Single screw extruders

Tuber machines

Twin-barrel extrusion machines

Compacting machines

Forming machines

Glass forming machines

Digital micrometers

Laser micrometers

Film winders

Trim winders

Scrap grinders

Trim grinders

High speed wrapping machines

Sheeters

Digital calipers

Hopper dryers

Trim knives

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

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

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

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

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

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

Every day

Continually or almost continually

More than half the time

About half the time

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

Never

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

Once a week or more but not every day

Once a month or more but not every week

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

Extremely important

Very important

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

Important

Fairly important

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Less than half the time

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

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

Overview

Career

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

Other Job Titles Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

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

Overview

Career

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

Other Job Titles Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Related Careers

Related Leaders