Plastics Injection Moulder and Machine setter

1. PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Injection Moulding Machine Setter & Operator is responsible for setting up, operating, monitoring and adjusting injection moulding machines to manufacture plastic components safely, efficiently and according to required quality standards.

The position includes mould changes, machine setup, process adjustments, material preparation, production monitoring, quality inspections, basic troubleshooting and accurate completion of production documentation.

2. KEY RESPONSIBILITIESMachine Setting and Mould Changes

• Install and remove injection moulds safely and correctly.
• Ensure moulds are properly secured and aligned before production.
• Connect and check cooling-water lines, hydraulic connections, pneumatic connections, hot-runner systems and other mould services where applicable.
• Set mould opening and closing positions.
• Set clamp pressure and mould protection parameters.
• Set injection pressure, injection speed and holding pressure.
• Set barrel and nozzle temperatures according to the material being processed.
• Set screw speed, back pressure and dosing parameters.
• Set cooling time, holding time and overall cycle time.
• Set ejector positions, speeds and strokes.
• Load or select the correct machine programme/recipe where available.
• Conduct start-up trials and adjust processing parameters until acceptable components are produced.
• Obtain approval of the first-off component before commencing normal production where required.

Machine Operation

• Operate injection moulding machines according to approved operating procedures.
• Start and stop machines safely.
• Monitor machine operation continuously during production.
• Maintain the approved process settings and cycle time.
• Ensure machines achieve the required production output.
• Identify abnormal machine operation and take appropriate action.
• Ensure components are removed, handled and packed correctly.
• Keep the machine and surrounding work area clean and organised.

Raw Materials

• Verify that the correct polymer, masterbatch, additives and regrind are being used according to the production job card or BOM.
• Ensure materials are correctly mixed before use where required.
• Ensure materials requiring drying are dried according to the specified temperature and time.
• Prevent contamination and mixing of different materials or colours.
• Record material usage and returns accurately.
• Control unnecessary material losses and scrap.

3. QUALITY CONTROL

The Setter/Operator is responsible for continuously checking the quality of components being manufactured.

Checks may include:

• Component weight
• Dimensions
• Colour
• Surface finish
• Flash
• Short shots
• Sink marks
• Burn marks
• Weld/flow lines
• Warpage
• Black spots or contamination
• Gate condition
• Ejection damage
• Other defects specified on the product quality standard

Non-conforming products must be separated and clearly identified.

The Setter/Operator must immediately report recurring or serious quality problems to the Production Supervisor, Production Manager or Quality Department.

Machine settings must not be changed outside authorised processing limits without approval.

Pay: R9 000,00 - R13 000,00 per month

Experience:

• Plastics injection moulding: 5 years (Required)

Work Location: In person