How to become a Plastics and Composites Processor

Plastics and composites processors handle machinery that manufactures or finishes plastic or composite products by injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding, blow film extrusion and other processes.

Personal requirements for a Plastics and Composites Processor

Enjoy practical and manual activities
Good hand/eye coordination
Able to cope with the physical demands of the job
Aptitude for technical activities
Able to work as part of a team
Safety-conscious
Enjoy working with machinery

Education & Training for a Plastics and Composites Processor

You can work as a plastics and composites processor without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job.You can also become a plastics and composites processor through an apprenticeship or traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

Duties & Tasks of a Plastics and Composites Processor

Plastics and composites processors:

Check machine settings and safety devices before their operation, set controls and start machines
Mix and prepare materials to be moulded
Prepare moulds or tooling for required lay-up
Interpret material requirements and quantities for required lay-up
Regulate the machine temperatures, pressures and speeds of operation of manually operated and semi-automatic equipment
Extract mouldings and extrusions, cut off waste material, and trim and finish moulded components in accordance with machine cycle and quality specifications
Assemble, install or secure moulded-in components
Control feeding devices for wire and cable coating
Control blending, compounding and drying equipment
Maintain production and quality assessment records
Apply surface coatings to moulds
Apply core materials like foam, balsa and honeycomb structures to the laminate
Apply resin/reinforcement matrix by hand or by machine
Adjust resin chemicals for current conditions
Use and select required ionising techniques for combining materials
Trim and finish parts for assembly or final bonding
Keep up to date with new and emerging technologies.

Tasks

Examines output for defects and conformity to specifications.
Monitors operation, regulates material supply and adds chemicals and colorants to mixture.
Measures and loads materials, items and ingredients for mixing into machines and feeding mechanisms.
Operates vulcaniser presses and controls curing.
Performs minor repairs and maintains production records.
Lays casings, beads, ply and rubber sheets on moulds.
Operates rollers to remove air.
Operates controls to regulate temperature, pressure, speed and flow of operation.
Threads uncoated wire and cable through plastic coating machines, around take-up reels and through dies and cooling chambers.

Working conditions for a Plastics and Composites Processor

Plastics and composites processors may have to wear special safety equipment such as masks, gloves, glasses, ear protection and protective clothing, especially when using spray guns. Some of the tasks involved in composites production may require working in confined spaces. Plastics and composites processors may be required to work shifts.

Employment Opportunities for a Plastics and Composites Processor

Plastics and composites are increasingly replacing more traditional materials like steel and wood in many everyday products such as motor vehicles, aircraft, bicycles, furniture and household appliances. People with design flair and people who are good at solving practical problems are in particular demand.Plastics and composites processors are often employed in small to medium-sized manufacturing companies, making products or components for the aerospace, marine, construction, water and recycling industries. Experienced workers sometimes set up their own companies and others may work on a subcontract basis doing a broad range of composites work. Work on products such as boats, surfboards and swimming pools can be seasonal.

Specializations

Plastics and Composites Processor

Average age
42 years
Future Growth
Decline
Gender Share
7% female
Average full-time
43 hours
Weekly Pay
$1,294
Skill level rating
Lower skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
86% Full-Time
Employment Size
840 workers
Employment by state
ACT: 0.0%
NSW: 25.3%
NT: 0.8%
QLD: 26.8%
SA: 7.9%
TAS: 5.7%
VIC: 22.7%
WA: 10.9%
Age brackets
15-19: 3.3%
20-24: 11.1%
25-34: 19.5%
35-44: 20.5%
45-54: 23.7%
55-59: 11.1%
60-64: 6.4%
65 and Over: 4.4%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 2%
Bachelor degree: 1.9%
Certificate III/IV: 28.8%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 0.6%
Year 10 and below: 35.7%
Year 11: 9.8%
Year 12: 21.2%