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Career Details : Bindery Machine Setters and Set-Up Operators

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Description

Set up or set up and operate machines that perform some or all of the following functions in order to produce books, magazines, pamphlets, catalogs, and other printed materials: gathering, folding, cutting, stitching, rounding and backing, supering, casing-in, lining, pressing, and trimming.

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a drywall installer might benefit from experience installing drywall, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be an installer with little difficulty.

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.

Tasks

  • Sets machine controls to adjust length and thickness of folds, stitches or cuts, and to adjust speed and pressure.
  • Reads work order to determine work instructions.
  • Trains workers to set up, operate, and use automatic bindery machines.
  • Threads wire into machine to load stitcher head for stapling.
  • Manually stocks supplies such as signatures, books, or paper.
  • Examines product samples for defects.
  • Removes books or products from machine and stacks them.
  • Mounts and secures rolls or reels of wire, cloth, paper, or other material onto machine spindles and fills paper feed.
  • Positions and clamps stitching heads on crossarms to space stitches to specified lengths.
  • Cleans and lubricates machinery parts and makes minor repairs.
  • Records time spent on specific tasks and number of items produced for daily production sheet.
  • Fills glue pot and adjusts flow of glue and speed of conveyors.
  • Observes and monitors machine operations to detect malfunctions and makes required adjustments.
  • Starts machines and makes trial runs to verify accuracy of machine setup.
  • Installs bindery machine devices, such as knives, guides, and clamps, to accommodate sheets, signatures, or books of specified sizes.

    Related Careers

    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Indoors
    • Using Hands on Objects, Tools, Controls
    • Degree of Automation
    • Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
    • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
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