Summary for:
Pourers and Casters, MetalDescription:
Operate hand-controlled mechanisms to pour and regulate the flow of molten metal into molds to produce castings or ingots.Sample of reported job titles:
Sample of reported job titles: Iron Pourer, Metal Handler, Direct Chill Caster (DC Caster), Casting Machine Operator, Furnace Operator, Melter - Caster, Caster, Caster Operator, Die Cast Operator (DCO), General Foundry Worker
Tasks | Knowledge | Skills | Abilities | Activites | Experience | Example | Education | Work Style | Work Values | Related Jobs | Wage | Employment | Expected Growth | Expected Need
Tasks:
- Collect samples, or signal workers to sample metal for analysis.
- Pour and regulate the flow of molten metal into molds and forms to produce ingots or other castings, using ladles or hand-controlled mechanisms.
- Read temperature gauges and observe color changes; then adjust furnace flames, torches, or electrical heating units as necessary to melt metal to specifications.
- Examine molds to ensure they are clean, smooth, and properly coated.
- Position equipment such as ladles, grinding wheels, pouring nozzles, or crucibles, or signal other workers to position equipment.
- Skim slag or remove excess metal from ingots or equipment, using hand tools, strainers, rakes, or burners; collect scrap for recycling.
- Turn valves to circulate water through cores, or spray water on filled molds to cool and solidify metal.
- Add metal to molds to compensate for shrinkage.
- Pull levers to lift ladle stoppers and to allow molten steel to flow into ingot molds to specified heights.
- Load specified amounts of metal and flux into furnaces or clay crucibles.
Knowledge:
| Arm-Hand Steadiness ó The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position. |
| Control Precision ó The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions. |
| Manual Dexterity ó The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects. |
| Near Vision ó The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
| Oral Comprehension ó The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. |
| Finger Dexterity ó The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects. |
| Multilimb Coordination ó 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. |
| Deductive Reasoning ó The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. |
| Oral Expression ó The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. |
| Perceptual Speed ó 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. |
Skills:
| Handling and Moving Objects ó Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
| Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates ó Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Controlling Machines and Processes ó Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). |
| Getting Information ó Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| identifying Objects, Actions, and Events ó identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings ó Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment ó Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft. |
| Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material ó Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
| Performing General Physical Activities ó Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials. |
| Training and Teaching Others ó identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
Abilities:
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets ó How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets? |
| Exposed to Contaminants ó How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)? |
| Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable ó How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable? |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls ó How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? |
| Very Hot or Cold Temperatures ó How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures? |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment ó How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment? |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled ó How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)? |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings ó How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings? |
| Contact With Others ó 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? |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions ó How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions? |
Work Activities:
| Title | Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed |
| Overall Experience | Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a teller might benefit from experience working directly with the public, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be a teller with little difficulty. |
| Job Training | Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. |
| Job Zone Examples | These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, pharmacy technicians, salespersons (retail), and tellers. |
| SVP Range | (4.0 to < 6.0) |
| Education | These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed. |
Work Style:
| 51-4071.00 | Foundry Mold and Coremakers |
| 51-4111.00 | Tool and Die Makers |
| 51-4121.07 | Solderers and Brazers  |
| 51-4122.00 | Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders |
| 51-4191.00 | Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-5022.00 | Prepress Technicians and Workers |
| 51-9071.07 | Precious Metal Workers |
Decline rapidly (-10% or lower)