Job Description:

• 1) Operates extrusion press to encase electric wire and cable in rubber or plastic sheath: Bolts specified dies, guides, and guide holders in extrusion head of press.

• 2) Clamps roll of rubber strip on spindle of machine and threads strip into hopper-feeder, or fills hopper with plastic chips.

• 3) Sets temperature control of press according to type of material to be extruded.

• 4) Loads spool of wire on spindle and threads wire through machine and around takeup reel.

• 5) Starts machine and adjusts controls to regulate speed of wire travel, pressure of hydraulic ram, and temperature of extrusion die to ensure sheath of uniform thickness.

• 6) Guides rubber-covered wire through trough of powdered talc or soapstone as it emerges from press to prevent wire from sticking together when spooled.

• 7) Clamps wire ends in electrodes of electric welder, turns on current, and holds brazing rod against heated wire tips to form continuous wire lengths.

• 8) May feed wire through pot of molten metal to coat wire with tin prior to sheathing process.

• 9) May operate machine equipped with wrapping device to wrap tape around wire prior to sheathing.

• 10) May be designated according to machine operated as Continuous-Vulcanizing-Machine Operator; or according to material extruded as Plastic-Extruding-Machine Operator.