blow moulding
The three main techniques to create hollow plastic and glass parts, namely extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding and injection stretch blow molding.
Glass forming machine operators operate and maintain machines that press or blow molten glass in moulds to form or shape products, such as neons, bottles, jars and drinking glasses. They set up and adjust machines, and weigh, measure and check production samples to check conformity to the set specifications.
Competences and skills
40 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 2 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Cross-sector
2 competencesquality standards
The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
Essential skills and competences 14 competences
Occupation specific
2 competencesadjust feeder tubes
Use wrenches to install and adjust the tubes that carry the gob to the moulds.
tend glass forming machines
Tend automatic glass forming machines by setting them up and operating them in order to press, blow, or spin gobs of molten glass in moulds having end-products such as bottles, containers or cathode ray tubes.
Sector-specific
2 competencesobserve products' behaviour under processing conditions
Observe the color of fires and pyrometric cones under certain processing conditions such as high temperature.
prevent casting adhesion
Prevent the casting sticking to the moulds by brushing the mould with oil, hot wax or graphite solution, according to the specification of each casting components.
Cross-sector
10 competencesinspect glass sheet
Inspect the drawn sheets of glass in order to detect any flows such as blisters or stones, signalling the defective glass sheets.
measure materials
Measure the raw materials prior to their loading in the mixer or in machines, ensuring they conform with the specifications.
monitor automated machines
Continuously check up on the automated machine's set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.
digital
observe glass under heat
Observe the characteristics of the glass already set into the kiln so that cracking, warping or blistering is avoided.
optimise production processes parameters
Optimise and maintain the parameters of the production process such as flow, temperature or pressure.
perform test run
Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
set up the controller of a machine
Set up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.
digital
supply machine
Ensure the machine is fed the necessary and adequate materials and control the placement or automatic feed and retrieval of work pieces in the machines or machine tools on the production line.
troubleshoot
Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
wear appropriate protective gear
Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
Optional knowledge 2 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Cross-sector
2 competencescoating substances
The various types of coating, providing a workpiece with one or more finishing layers of resins, powders, inactive and insoluble fillers, waxes, gums, plasticisers, colouring materials, lacquer, and others.
mechanics
Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.
Optional skills and competences 22 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
8 competencesadjust burner controls
Adjust the heat in the burner regulating the thermostat according to the prescribed temperature following each product specification.
feed mirror machine
Feed the glass silvering machine with mirror glass.
form moulding mixture
Form the moulding mixture adding specified amounts of materials, such as sand, clay, silica mud or plastic pellets, according to a fixed recipe, set up the controller of the melting tanks and monitor the melting process.
maintain moulds
Maintain, repair and clean moulds and mould parts, e.g. by smoothening out imperfections on the surface. Use water, grease or oil to wash and scrape the moulds by hand.
monitor end-product drying process
Let the end-products to cool and dry during the correct amount of time. If necessary, hasten the drying process using kilns or delay it by allowing water to humidify the products.
operate drying blowers
Operate the portable air and heat blowers by placing them in the drying aisles in order to dry specific products.
tend lehr
Operate the temperature-controlled kiln used in annealing, the process of gradually cooling hot glass to avoid any internal stress.
transfer glaze
Transfer the processed glaze from the mill to the storage jars.
Cross-sector
14 competencescheck quality of raw materials
Check the quality of basic materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished goods by assessing some of its characteristics and, if needed, select samples to be analysed.
construct moulds
Construct moulds for the casting of objects in plaster, clay, glass, plastic or metal. Use casting machines and materials such as rubber, plaster or fibreglass.
consult technical resources
Read and interpret technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.
form bed for glass
Form a bed for glass on the metal trays by spreading plasters of paris using rollers or pallete knifes.
inspect quality of products
Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
maintain equipment
Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
manage waste
Manage or dispose of significant amounts of waste materials and/or hazardous materials, in accordance with legislation, thereby respecting environmental and company responsibilities. Ensure required licenses and permits are in place and reasonable management practices, industry standards, or commonly accepted farming practices followed.
green
- Scope note
- Includes recycling regulations.
monitor conveyor belt
Monitor the flow of the work pieces on the conveyor belt as they are processed by the machine to ensure optimal productivity.
monitor manufacturing impact
Check the impact of manufacturing machinery on the environment, analysing temperature levels, water quality and air pollution.
green
perform product testing
Test processed workpieces or products for basic faults.
record production data for quality control
Keep records of the machine's faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.
remove defective products
Remove defective materials from the production line.
tend coating machine
Tend manufacturing machines designed to coat workpiece surfaces by applying various coating machine processes, such as powder coating, monitor and operate it according to regulations.
tend kiln for glass painting
Tend kilns which are used to affix paint on glass. They may tend gas or electric kilns.