What You'll Do

  • Measure and inspect machined parts to ensure conformance to product specifications.
  • Read work orders or blueprints to determine specified tolerances and sequences of operations for machine setup.
  • Start machines to produce sample workpieces, and observe operations to detect machine malfunctions and to verify that machine setups conform to specifications.
  • Remove dies from machines when production runs are finished.
  • Turn handles or knobs to set pressures and depths of ram strokes and to synchronize machine operations.
  • Confer with other workers about machine setups and operational specifications.
  • Repair, maintain, and replace parts on dies.
  • Set up, operate, or tend presses and forging machines to perform hot or cold forging by flattening, straightening, bending, cutting, piercing, or other operations to taper, shape, or form metal.
  • Position and move metal wires or workpieces through a series of dies that compress and shape stock to form die impressions.
  • Install, adjust, and remove dies, synchronizing cams, forging hammers, and stop guides, using overhead cranes or other hoisting devices, and hand tools.

Essential Skills

Operations Monitoring 3.38/5
Operation and Control 3.25/5
Monitoring 3.12/5
Reading Comprehension 2.88/5
Active Listening 2.88/5
Speaking 2.88/5
Critical Thinking 2.88/5
Equipment Maintenance 2.88/5
Quality Control Analysis 2.88/5
Coordination 2.75/5
Troubleshooting 2.75/5
Judgment and Decision Making 2.75/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to understand the kind of profile this role rewards. It helps you judge whether this career looks like a stronger match than your current role, a nearby move worth exploring, or a broader path to compare more seriously.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Dependability, Attention to Detail, Cautiousness, Stress Tolerance, Achievement Orientation

Want a personal read on fit? Take the free assessment and compare this career to your current role, nearby alternatives, and broader stronger-fit options.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Near Vision 3.75/5
Written Comprehension 3.12/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.12/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.12/5
Visualization 3.12/5
Control Precision 3.12/5
Oral Comprehension 3.0/5
Oral Expression 3.0/5

Technologies & Tools

Email software Machine control software Inventory tracking software

Work Environment & Strengths

Common Strengths for This Career

  • Dependability (High importance: 4.65/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.56/5)
  • Cautiousness (High importance: 4.35/5)
  • Stress Tolerance (High importance: 3.83/5)
  • Achievement Orientation (High importance: 3.76/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Automatic Forging Machine Operator Blacksmith Board Hammer Operator Bolt Machine Operator Drop Forge Operator Drop Forger Drop Hammer Set Up Operator Drophammer Operator Forge Operator Forge Press Operator Forge Tender Forger Forgesmith Forging Die Setter Forging Machine Operator Forging Operator Forging Press Operator Forging Roll Operator Hammer Operator Header Machine Operator Header Operator Header Setup Operator Heat Set Operator Heavy Forger Heavy Forging Machine Operator Hot Press Forger Machine Operator Manufacturing Operator Multi Operation Machine Operator Plastic Molding Operator Plastic Process Technician (Plastic Process Tech) Power Hammer Operator Process Technician (Process Tech) Restrike Hammer Operator Roller Machine Operator Set Up Operator Spring Forger Steam Hammer Operator Steel Shot Header Operator

Career Fit FAQs

Is this career a good fit for me

This page shows the role itself. To see personal fit, use the assessment to compare your interests, motivations, and strengths against this career and against the role you are in now.

Can this help if I want to stay in my field

Yes. Many people use career pages like this to compare nearby roles in the same field and see whether they need a full switch or a better-fit version of the work they already know.

What should I compare first

Start with the daily tasks, the preparation level, and the work-style signals on this page. Then use the assessment to see whether this role looks like a stronger fit than your current role or just a different title.