# Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers

> Set up, operate, or tend machines that extrude and form continuous filaments from synthetic materials, such as liquid polymer, rayon, and fiberglass.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 51-6091.00
- **Summary:** Set up, operate, or tend machines that extrude and form continuous filaments from synthetic materials, such as liquid polymer, rayon, and fiberglass.

## Aliases

- Extruder Operator
- Extrusion Line Operator
- Extrusion Operator
- Spindraw Operator
- Extruder
- Granulator
- Hot End Operator
- Pelletizer Operator
- Pot Tipper
- Stretch Operator
- Beamer Operator
- Beaming Machine Operator

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Set up, operate, or tend machines that extrude and form filaments from synthetic materials such as rayon, fiberglass, or liquid polymers. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| Press buttons to stop machines when processes are complete or when malfunctions are detected. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| Notify other workers of defects, and direct them to adjust extruding and forming machines. | Core | 4.A.4.a.2.g |
| Observe flow of finish across finish rollers, and turn valves to adjust flow to specifications. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Observe machine operations, control boards, and gauges to detect malfunctions such as clogged bushings and defective binder applicators. | Core | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Remove polymer deposits from spinnerettes and equipment, using silicone spray, brass chisels, and bronze-wool pads. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Load materials into extruding and forming machines, using hand tools, and adjust feed mechanisms to set feed rates. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.f |
| Press metering-pump buttons and turn valves to stop flow of polymers. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Record operational data on tags, and attach tags to machines. | Supplemental | 4.A.1.b.1.a |
| Move controls to activate and adjust extruding and forming machines. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| Start metering pumps and observe operation of machines and equipment to ensure continuous flow of filaments extruded through spinnerettes and to detect processing defects. | Supplemental | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Remove excess, entangled, or completed filaments from machines, using hand tools. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.1.c |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Clean production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Operate metal or plastic forming equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| Load materials into production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.f |
| Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions. | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Operate pumping systems or equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.b |
| Record operational or production data. | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs. | 4.A.4.a.2.g |
| Signal others to coordinate work activities. | 4.A.4.b.1.b |
| Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning. | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing. | 4.A.3.a.2.l |
| Maintain production or processing equipment. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information. | 4.A.1.b.1.a |
| Position containers to receive materials or workpieces. | 4.A.3.a.2.v |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 4 |
| Operation and Control | transferable_skill | 3.75 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.75 |
| Control Precision | ability | 3.75 |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 3.68 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.5 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.5 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3.38 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3.38 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3.38 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3.25 |
| Multilimb Coordination | ability | 3.25 |
| Reaction Time | ability | 3.25 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.23 |
| Mathematics | knowledge | 3.12 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3.12 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3.12 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3.12 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.12 |
| Rate Control | ability | 3.12 |
| Education and Training | knowledge | 3.11 |
| Mechanical | knowledge | 3.07 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Quality Control Analysis | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Time Management | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 3 |
| Perceptual Speed | ability | 3 |
| Visualization | ability | 3 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3 |
| Time Sharing | ability | 3 |
| Trunk Strength | ability | 3 |
| Auditory Attention | ability | 3 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 2.88 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Operational Databases | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| Industrial Control Software | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| SAP software | Enterprise resource planning ERP software | yes | no |
| Apache Hadoop YARN | Data base management system software | no | no |
| Camstar Manufacturing Execution System MES | Industrial control software | no | no |
| Operational databases | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |
| Statistical process control SPC software | Industrial control software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 5 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.92 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 4.66 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 4.65 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.56 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 4.46 |
| Contact With Others | 4.45 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 4.22 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 4.19 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.04 |
| Telephone Conversations | 4.01 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.89 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 3.88 |
| Time Pressure | 3.88 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 3.79 |
| Consequence of Error | 3.77 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.74 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 3.67 |
| E-Mail | 3.65 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.63 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 3.61 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 3.61 |
| Spend Time Standing | 3.35 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 3.33 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 3.31 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 3.25 |
| Physical Proximity | 3.19 |
| Degree of Automation | 3.11 |
| Level of Competition | 3.1 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 3.09 |
| Conflict Situations | 3.08 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 3.01 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 3 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 2.94 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 2.81 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 2.61 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 2.57 |
| In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment | 2.56 |
| Public Speaking | 2.35 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 2.3 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 2
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- **Experience:** Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- **Svp Range:** (Below 6.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| High School Diploma | 74.09 |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 19.43 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 6.48 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 6.5 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 4.05 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 3.73 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 3.42 |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 2.78 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 2.21 |
| Transportation/Machine Operation | specific_interest_area | 2.18 |
| Dependability | work_style | 2.14 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 2.02 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 1.99 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 1.62 |
| Construction/Woodwork | specific_interest_area | 1.6 |
| Physical Science | specific_interest_area | 1.51 |
| Enterprising | career_interest_type | 1.41 |
| Artistic | career_interest_type | 1.27 |
| Social | career_interest_type | 1.22 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 51-4021.00 | role-51-4021-00 | Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Short |
| 51-9041.00 | role-51-9041-00 | Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Primary-Short |
| 51-9196.00 | role-51-9196-00 | Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Primary-Short |
| 51-4072.00 | role-51-4072-00 | Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Short |
| 51-9191.00 | role-51-9191-00 | Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders | Primary-Short |
| 51-4023.00 | role-51-4023-00 | Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 51-9032.00 | role-51-9032-00 | Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Primary-Long |
| 51-4081.00 | role-51-4081-00 | Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 51-4034.00 | role-51-4034-00 | Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 51-4035.00 | role-51-4035-00 | Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 53-7063.00 | role-53-7063-00 | Machine Feeders and Offbearers | Supplemental |
| 51-4033.00 | role-51-4033-00 | Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Advanced Manufacturing | advanced-manufacturing |

## Education Level

- **Category:** High school diploma or equivalent

## Study Programs


## Market

- **Median Wage:** 44980
- **Mean Wage:** 47420
- **Pct10Wage:** 35590
- **Pct25Wage:** 38990
- **Pct75Wage:** 54690
- **Pct90Wage:** 63650
- **Employment:** 14900
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 14610 | 45160 | 11.85 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector |  | 39200 |  |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector |  | 36450 |  |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry |  | 36450 |  |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 14610 | 11.85 |
- **Count:** 4

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.88 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -0.8596925 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | -0.7940869 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -0.9238047 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 14
- **Percentile:** 10
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 23 | felten_aioe |
| 10 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 8 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -0.8596925 | 23 | Low | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.06896551724137931 | 10 | Low | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.04411009378463611 | 8 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.88
- **Percentile:** 75
- **Band:** High
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.06896551724137931
- **Beta:** 0.06896551724137931
- **Gamma:** 0.06896551724137931

### Usage Tasks


### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** -1.1
- **Growth Percentile:** 22
- **Direction:** Declining
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 2
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 27
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 15.2
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 15

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 17
- **Skills:** 36
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 9
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** c4ccb81cb06b6c4c