Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Human Advantage 65%
Significant human skills needed
AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.6 / 10
Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.
Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate, or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.
Also Known As: Bar Finish Operator, Bar Roller, Barrel Roller, Barrel Roller Operator, Bed Operator, Brass Roller, Breakdown Coordinator, Breakdown Mill Operator +119 more
Core Tasks
- Monitor machine cycles and mill operation to detect jamming and to ensure that products conform to specifications.
- Adjust and correct machine set-ups to reduce thicknesses, reshape products, and eliminate product defects.
- Start operation of rolling and milling machines to flatten, temper, form, and reduce sheet metal sections and to produce steel strips.
- Examine, inspect, and measure raw materials and finished products to verify conformance to specifications.
- Read rolling orders, blueprints, and mill schedules to determine setup specifications, work sequences, product dimensions, and installation procedures.
- Manipulate controls and observe dial indicators to monitor, adjust, and regulate speeds of machine mechanisms.
- Set distance points between rolls, guides, meters, and stops, according to specifications.
- Calculate draft space and roll speed for each mill stand to plan rolling sequences and specified dimensions and tempers.
- Install equipment such as guides, guards, gears, cooling equipment, and rolls, using hand tools.
- Position, align, and secure arbors, spindles, coils, mandrels, dies, and slitting knives.
- Fill oil cups, adjust valves, and observe gauges to control flow of metal coolants and lubricants onto workpieces.
- Activate shears and grinders to trim workpieces.
- Signal and assist other workers to remove and position equipment, fill hoppers, and feed materials into machines.
- Record mill production on schedule sheets.
- Direct and train other workers to change rolls, operate mill equipment, remove coils and cobbles, and band and load material.
Supplemental Tasks (4)
- Thread or feed sheets or rods through rolling mechanisms, or start and control mechanisms that automatically feed steel into rollers.
- Select rolls, dies, roll stands, and chucks from data charts to form specified contours and to fabricate products.
- Remove scratches and polish roll surfaces, using polishing stones and electric buffers.
- Disassemble sizing mills removed from rolling lines, and sort and store parts.
Education & Training
Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Technology & Tools
Software (2)
Tools & Equipment (32)
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Industrial Machinery Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 1
Conveyor Operators and Tenders 74% match
Zone 2
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic You are here
Zone 3
Resume Builder
Select key tasks to generate action-oriented resume bullets for Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic positions.
Your Resume Bullets
Related Occupations
Show all 20 related occupations
Real Talk
Hear from real Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics about their work: