Metalworking machine operators operate metalworking machines which shape and form sheet or other light metal into parts or products. Heavy metalworking machine operators operate metalworking machines which shape and form steel or other heavy metal into parts or products. Forging machine operators operate forging machines to form and shape metal into various shapes and sizes and impart desired strength, hardness or other characteristics. Light metalworking machine operators are employed by sheet metal products manufacturing companies, sheet metal shops and other light metal products manufacturing establishments. Heavy metalworking machine operators are employed by structural steel fabrication, boiler and platework manufacturing companies, heavy machinery manufacturing companies and in the shipbuilding industry. Forging machine operators are employed primarily in the fabricated metal products, machinery and transportation equipment manufacturing industries.
Job duties
Metalworking machine operators
Read specifications or follow verbal instructions
Lay out, set up and operate one or more light or heavy metalworking machines such as shears, power presses, saws, plate rolls, drills, brakes, slitters, punch presses, computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment, and other hand tools to cut, bend, roll, ream, punch and drill, weld or otherwise shape and form metal stock into parts or products
Operate machines or equipment which weld, solder, bolt, screw or rivet metal parts together
Check products for correct shapes, dimensions and other specifications
Troubleshoot and perform corrective action or minor repairs
May select and transport material to work area manually or using crane or hoist
May document work completed
May build staging or erect scaffolding as required for heavy metalworking jobs
May clean or lubricate equipment and replace parts as required.
Forging machine operators
Operate gas or oil fired furnaces to heat metal to proper temperature prior to forging
Place metal pieces in furnace using hand tongs or overhead cranes and remove from furnace when colour of metal indicates proper forging temperature, or load and unload furnace with automatic conveyor
Position heated or cold metal pieces, on die of press or other forging machinery
Operate presses or other forging machines to perform hot or cold forging by flattening, straightening, twisting, forming, drawing, upsetting, splitting, cutting, punching, piercing, bending, coining, or other operations to shape or form metal
Position and adjust dies on anvil of forging machinery using overhead cranes or other hoisting devices and hand tools.
Job titles
Bending press operator – metal fabrication
Cold press operator – metal forging
Disk flange operator – metal fabrication
Drop hammer operator – metal forging
Electric arc cutter – metal products manufacturing
Forging press operator
Metal-forming machine set-up operator
Metalworking machine operator
Power brake operator – metal fabrication
Power press operator – metal fabrication
Punch press setter – metalworking
Roll operator – metal fabrication
Saw operator – metal fabrication
Shear setter – metal fabrication
Sheet metal roll operator – metal fabrication