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Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

SOC 51-4023.00Job Zone 2 · Some Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers the setup, operation, quality monitoring, troubleshooting, and leadership of rolling and milling machines used to process metal and plastic materials in industrial production environments.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Rolling and milling machine startup procedures — follow step-by-step under direct supervision to flatten and feed sheet metal sections on a production floor.
  2. Raw materials and finished metal products — inspect visually for obvious defects and surface irregularities under technician guidance in a metal processing facility.
  3. Rolling orders and basic blueprints — read and identify key setup specifications, product dimensions, and work sequences with supervisor assistance.
  4. Machine cycle and mill operation — monitor continuously and alert a lead operator when jamming or irregular sounds are detected on the production line.
  5. Roll distance points and guide stops — position according to supervisor-provided specifications before machine startup in a metal rolling operation.
  6. Dial indicators and speed controls — observe and report readings to a senior operator to support regulated machine mechanism speeds during a production run.
  7. Hand tools and basic measuring instruments — use to record raw material dimensions and compare against specification sheets under direct instruction.
  8. Equipment safety protocols and lockout/tagout procedures — apply consistently before approaching rolling machinery in a manufacturing plant environment.
  9. Work sequences and mill schedules — review with a supervisor to understand daily production priorities and installation procedures for assigned machine stands.
  10. Basic product defects such as surface scratches and uneven thickness — recognize and flag for correction by a qualified operator during routine production shifts.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Sheet metal thickness and temper specifications — verify against rolling orders by measuring finished strip output with calipers and gauges on a semi-automated mill line.
  2. Machine set-up adjustments — perform independently to correct roll gaps and reduce material thickness when products fall outside tolerance during a production run.
  3. Milling machine controls and dial indicators — manipulate routinely to regulate roll speed and maintain consistent strip dimensions across a standard production cycle.
  4. Draft space and roll speed calculations — compute for individual mill stands using established formulas to plan rolling sequences and meet specified tempers.
  5. Minor jamming incidents and feed misalignments — diagnose and resolve with limited supervisor input by applying learned troubleshooting steps on metal rolling equipment.
  6. Finished steel strips and sheet metal sections — examine systematically for dimensional conformance and surface quality against blueprint specifications during end-of-shift inspections.
  7. Roll guides and metering stops — set and verify at the start of each production order to match required product profiles in a rolling mill environment.
  8. Mill schedule changes and updated rolling orders — read, interpret, and communicate production adjustments to co-workers on the shop floor during shift transitions.
  9. Recurring equipment performance patterns — monitor and document over multiple shifts to identify early indicators of wear or misalignment on rolling machinery.
  10. Time allocation across multiple machine setups — manage to meet daily production targets while maintaining quality standards in a moderate-volume metal processing facility.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Full rolling sequence setup — plan and execute autonomously, calculating draft space and roll speed for each stand to achieve specified dimensions and tempers without oversight.
  2. Complex product defects including warping, edge cracking, and surface scaling — analyze root causes and implement corrective adjustments to machine parameters on a live production line.
  3. Non-routine blueprint and rolling order requirements — interpret independently and translate into precise guide, roll, and stop configurations for specialty metal and plastic profiles.
  4. Continuous operations monitoring across multiple mill stands — conduct simultaneously, adjusting controls in real time to sustain product conformance throughout extended production runs.
  5. Equipment maintenance and repair tasks — perform on rolling machinery, including roll changes and bearing inspections, to minimize unplanned downtime in a high-throughput facility.
  6. Quality control analysis — apply systematically by sampling, measuring, and statistically evaluating finished strip data to identify process drift before defect rates escalate.
  7. Difficult set-up scenarios such as mixed-alloy runs or gauge transitions — troubleshoot and resolve by applying advanced mechanical knowledge and process experience on the mill floor.
  8. Incoming raw material quality — assess against mill specifications using precision instruments, rejecting or flagging non-conforming stock before it enters the rolling process.
  9. Coordination with maintenance, quality, and scheduling teams — lead during changeovers and process upsets to restore production efficiency and product quality in a metal rolling operation.
  10. Operator training gaps identified during production — address in real time by demonstrating correct machine control techniques and reinforcing specification-reading practices on the shop floor.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Rolling mill setup standards and best-practice procedures — develop and document to establish consistent quality benchmarks across all shifts in a metal and plastic production facility.
  2. Operator skill development programs — design and implement, incorporating hands-on rolling machine instruction and blueprint literacy training to build a competent production workforce.
  3. Production quality metrics and defect trend data — analyze at an organizational level to drive continuous improvement initiatives and reduce scrap rates across the rolling operation.
  4. Capital equipment selection and roll configuration decisions — lead by evaluating mechanical specifications and production requirements when upgrading or expanding a rolling mill operation.
  5. Cross-functional coordination among production, engineering, and quality assurance teams — direct to resolve systemic process problems affecting sheet metal conformance and throughput.
  6. Mill scheduling strategy and rolling sequence planning — oversee across multiple product lines, balancing equipment capacity and customer delivery requirements in a high-mix manufacturing environment.
  7. Safety culture and compliance standards for rolling machinery — champion by establishing protocols, conducting audits, and holding teams accountable in a metal processing plant.
  8. Mentorship of developing and proficient operators — provide through structured coaching, technical feedback, and performance reviews to accelerate expertise across the production department.
  9. Process improvement proposals for new alloy grades or plastic profiles — evaluate and authorize, drawing on deep mechanical and production-processing knowledge to manage risk and quality.
  10. Organizational production performance and downtime reduction targets — own by setting measurable goals, tracking key indicators, and leading corrective action planning for a rolling mill facility.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
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RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlQuality Control AnalysisMonitoringSpeakingActive ListeningCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive LearningCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingEquipment MaintenanceTroubleshootingJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementRepairing
Knowledge domains
MechanicalProduction and ProcessingEnglish LanguageEducation and Training
Abilities
Problem SensitivityReaction TimeControl PrecisionNear VisionRate ControlManual DexterityMultilimb CoordinationArm-Hand SteadinessFinger DexterityResponse Orientation
Work styles
DependabilityAttention to DetailCautiousnessAchievement OrientationStress ToleranceSelf-Control
Technology
Electronic mail softwareInternet browser software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Monitor machine cycles and mill operation to detect jamming and to ensure that products conform to specifications.
  2. Adjust and correct machine set-ups to reduce thicknesses, reshape products, and eliminate product defects.
  3. Start operation of rolling and milling machines to flatten, temper, form, and reduce sheet metal sections and to produce steel strips.
  4. Examine, inspect, and measure raw materials and finished products to verify conformance to specifications.
  5. Read rolling orders, blueprints, and mill schedules to determine setup specifications, work sequences, product dimensions, and installation procedures.
  6. Manipulate controls and observe dial indicators to monitor, adjust, and regulate speeds of machine mechanisms.
  7. Set distance points between rolls, guides, meters, and stops, according to specifications.
  8. Calculate draft space and roll speed for each mill stand to plan rolling sequences and specified dimensions and tempers.
CIP education codes
48.050148.0506

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.