9416 – Metalworking and forging machine operators

Light metalworking machine operators operate metalworking machines which shape and form sheet or other light metal into parts or products. Heavy metalworking machine operators operate metalworking machines which shape and form steel or other heavy metal into parts or products. Forging machine operators operate forging machines to form and shape metal into various shapes and sizes and impart desired strength, hardness or other characteristics. Light metalworking machine operators are employed by sheet metal products manufacturing companies, sheet metal shops and other light metal products manufacturing establishments. Heavy metalworking machine operators are employed by structural steel fabrication, boiler and platework manufacturing companies, heavy machinery manufacturing companies and in the shipbuilding industry. Forging machine operators are employed primarily in the fabricated metal products, machinery and transportation equipment manufacturing industries.

Profile

Index of titles

Example titles

Acetylene torch operator – metal fabrication

Air hammer operator – metal forging

Aluminum sheet cutter – ductwork

Aluminum sheet cutter – metal fabrication

Aluminum sheet trimmer – ductwork

Angle shear operator – metal fabrication

Arc cutter – metal fabrication

Automatic cut-off operator – metal fabrication

Automatic cut-off saw operator – metal products manufacturing

Bender set-up operator – metal products manufacturing

Bending machine operator – metal forging

Bending machine set-up operator – metal fabrication

Bending machine tender – metal fabrication

Bending machine tender – metal products manufacturing

Bending press operator – metal fabrication

Bending roll operator – metal fabrication

Board drop hammer operator

Board hammer operator – metal forging

Brake setter – metalworking

Buffing line setter

Buffing machine set-up operator – metal fabrication

Burning machine operator – metal fabrication

Burning table operator – metal fabrication

Cage builder – metal fabrication

Cold drawn operator – metal forging

Cold press operator – metal forging

Computer numerically controlled (CNC) brake press operator

Computer numerically controlled (CNC) brake press set-up operator

Corrugator sheet metal operator

Disc flanging operator – metal fabrication

Disk flange operator

Disk flange operator – metal fabrication

Drop forge hand

Drop forge operator

Drop forge operator – metal forging

Drop forger

Drop hammer forger

Drop hammer operator – metal forging

Dual action hammer operator – metal forging

Duplicator punch operator – metal fabrication

Electric arc cutter – metal products manufacturing

Expanding machine operator – metal products manufacturing

Flame cutting machine operator – metal fabrication

Flame cutting tracer machine operator – metal fabrication

Flame hardening machine setter

Flying shear operator – metal fabrication

Forge manipulator operator

Forging air hammer operator

Forging machine operator

Forging machine operator group leader

Forging machine operators lead hand

Forging machine setter

Forging machine set-up man/woman

Forging press operator

Forging press tender

Forging roll operator

Forming machine operator – metal fabrication

Forming press operator – metal fabrication

Forming roll set-up operator – metal fabrication

Forming roll tender – metal fabrication

Hammer driver – forging

Hammer operator – metal forging

Heater operator – metal forging

Heavy forger

Heavy-duty press set-up operator – metal fabrication

Hoop bender

Hoop-maker machine operator – metal fabrication

Hot press operator – metal forging

Hydraulic press operator – metal fabrication

Impact hammer operator – metal forging

Impression die press operator – metal fabrication

Laser cutter – metal fabrication

Lay-out marker – metal products manufacturing

Lead fabricator

Leaf spring inspector

Leaf spring maker – metal fabrication

Machine power saw operator

Magnetic flame cutting machine operator – metal fabrication

Manipulator operator – metal forging

Mechanical press operator – metal products manufacturing

Metal cut-off saw operator

Metal fabricating machine operator

Metal parts inspector

Metal power saw operator

Metal sawing machine operator

Metal spinner

Metal table saw operator

Metal-forming machine set-up operator

Metal-forming machine tender

Metal-stamping press operator

Metalworking machine operator

Metalworking machine setter

Metalworking machine set-up man/woman

Metalworking machine set-up operator

Multi-operation forming machine tender

Multiple punch press operator – metal fabrication

Musical instrument tube bender

Nibbling machine operator – metal fabrication

Ornamental metal worker – metal fabrication

Pantograph burner – metal fabrication

Pantograph flame cutter – metal fabrication

Pipe-bending machine operator – metal fabrication

Plate burner – metal fabrication

Plate shear operator – metal fabrication

Power brake operator – metal fabrication

Power hammer operator – metal forging

Power press operator

Power press operator – metal fabrication

Power press operator – metal products manufacturing

Power press set-up operator – metal fabrication

Power shear operator – metal fabrication

Power shear tender – metal fabrication

Press brake operator

Press brake operator – metal products manufacturing

Press tender – pierce and shave

Punch and shear machine operator – metal fabrication

Punch press operator

Punch press operator – metal fabrication

Punch press setter – metalworking

Puncher and shearer – metal products manufacturing

Restrike hammer operator – metal forging

Ring mill operator – metal forging

Rod-bending machine operator – metal fabrication

Roll bender operator – metal products manufacturing

Roll forger

Roll operator – metal fabrication

Roll-forming machine setter – metalworking

Rolling machine operator – metal forging

Rotary shear operator – metal fabrication

Saw operator – metal fabrication

Shear operator

Shear operator – metal fabrication

Shear setter – metal fabrication

Shearer – metal working

Sheet metal brake tender

Sheet metal corrugation machine operator

Sheet metal corrugator

Sheet metal cutter – metal fabrication

Sheet metal fabrication inspector

Sheet metal roll operator – metal fabrication

Sheet metal spinner – metal fabrication

Sheet-metal-embossing machine operator

Sheet-metal-working machine operator – metal products manufacturing

Sheet-metal-working machine set-up operator

Sheet-metal-working machine tender – metal fabrication

Slide forming machine setter – metal fabrication

Slide forming machine set-up operator

Slide forming machine tender – metal fabrication

Steam hammer operator – metal forging

Steel shot machine operator

Straight line press setter – metal fabrication

Straightener hand – metal fabrication

Straightening press operator – metal fabrication

Strip-roll-forming machine operator – metal fabrication

Strip-roll-forming machine tender – metal fabrication

Threader – metal products manufacturing

Trip hammer operator – metal forging

Tube-bending machine operator – metal fabrication

Tubular metal products fabricator

Turret press operator

Turret press set-up operator

Turret punch press operator – metal fabrication

Upsetter operator – metal forging

Upsetting machine operator – metal forging

Vehicle spring repairer – metal forging

Vertical press operator

Vertical press operator – metal fabrication

Vertical roll operator – metal fabrication

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Metalworking machine operators

Read specifications or follow verbal instructions

Lay out, set up and operate one or more light or heavy metalworking machines such as shears, power presses, saws, plate rolls, drills, brakes, slitters, punch presses, computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment, and other hand tools to cut, bend, roll, ream, punch and drill, weld or otherwise shape and form metal stock into parts or products

Operate machines or equipment which weld, solder, bolt, screw or rivet metal parts together

Check products for correct shapes, dimensions and other specifications

Troubleshoot and perform corrective action or minor repairs

May select and transport material to work area manually or using crane or hoist

May document work completed

May build staging or erect scaffolding as required for heavy metalworking jobs

May clean or lubricate equipment and replace parts as required.

Forging machine operators

Operate gas or oil fired furnaces to heat metal to proper temperature prior to forging

Place metal pieces in furnace using hand tongs or overhead cranes and remove from furnace when colour of metal indicates proper forging temperature, or load and unload furnace with automatic conveyor

Position heated or cold metal pieces, on die of press or other forging machinery

Operate presses or other forging machines to perform hot or cold forging by flattening, straightening, twisting, forming, drawing, upsetting, splitting, cutting, punching, piercing, bending, coining, or other operations to shape or form metal

Position and adjust dies on anvil of forging machinery using overhead cranes or other hoisting devices and hand tools.

Employment requirements

Completion of secondary school education may be required.

Previous experience as a labourer or helper in the same company may be required.

On-the-job training is usually provided.

Additional information

There is little or no mobility between operators of light and heavy metalworking machines.

Progression to structural metal fabricator or supervisory positions is possible with experience for metalworking machine operators.

Progression to blacksmith, die setting, or supervisory positions is possible with experience for forging machine operators.

Exclusions

Sheet metal workers (7233)

Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters (7235)

Supervisors of metalworking machine operators (in 9226 Supervisors, other mechanical and metal products manufacturing)