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

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

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

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

The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic

Mold, shape, form, cast, or carve products such as food products, figurines, tile, pipes, and candles consisting of clay, glass, plaster, concrete, stone, or combinations of materials.

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

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

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

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 moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

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.

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

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

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

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

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

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

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Miscellaneous Production Workers

Production Occupations

Other Production Occupations

Read work orders or examine parts to determine parts or sections of products to be produced.

Trim or remove excess material, using scrapers, knives, or band saws.

Brush or spray mold surfaces with parting agents or insert paper into molds to ensure smoothness and prevent sticking or seepage.

Engrave or stamp identifying symbols, letters, or numbers on products.

Assemble, insert, and adjust wires, tubes, cores, fittings, rods, or patterns into molds, using hand tools and depth gauges.

Clean, finish, and lubricate molds and mold parts.

Separate models or patterns from molds and examine products for accuracy.

Set the proper operating temperature for each casting.

Load or stack filled molds in ovens, dryers, or curing boxes, or on storage racks or carts.

Align and assemble parts to produce completed products, using gauges and hand tools.

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software

Microsoft Office software

Microsoft Word

Dassault Systemes SolidWorks

Timekeeping software

Inventory control software

Centrifugal casting machines

Continuous casting machines

Die casting machines

Extrusion blow molding machines

Squeeze molding machines

Stretch blow molding machines

Dial calipers

Vernier calipers

Computer terminals

Pulverizers

Digital micrometers

Straight screwdrivers

Propane torches

Holding clamps

Trimming knives

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

Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

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

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

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

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

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

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

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

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

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

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

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

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

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

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

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

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

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?

Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic

Overview

Career

What Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic Do

Other Job Titles Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic

Overview

Career

What Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic Do

Other Job Titles Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic

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