Cementing and Gluing Machine Operators run machines that join items together to form a completed product or to form a product for further processing.

JOB DUTIES

Cementing and Gluing Machine Operator may:

Set up and operate a machine which applies cement, glue, gummed tape, or other adhesives

Check and fill the machine with glue, cement, or adhesive, as needed

Adjust the machine so that the correct amount of glue, cement, or other adhesive is applied

Position material(s) to be joined in the machine so that the adhesive is applied accurately

Adjust the rollers in the machine to handle the thickness of the material being joined and to control the amount of adhesive being applied

Restock the material to be joined, as needed

Clean glue or other adhesive from the rollers

Tools, equipment, and work aids used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

569.685-042 VENEER GLUE SPREADERS tend a machine that spreads glue on veneer stock or particle board before these items are assembled into plywood or veneered panels.

641.662-010 BOX-SEALING-MACHINE OPERATORS set up and operate a machine to spray and dry adhesive onto box flaps to make self-sealing boxes.

641.685-074 SEALING-MACHINE OPERATORS tend a machine that applies sealing glue to envelope flaps and dries them by passing the envelopes under a heat element.

649.685-126 TAPER OPERATORS tend a machine that tapes the edges of corrugated paperboard box blanks to form finished boxes.

690.685-074 MACHINE JOINER CEMENTERS tend a pressing machine that joins pre-cemented shoe parts.

692.685-050 MACHINE CEMENTERS tend a machine that applies a margin of rubber or latex cement to rubberized fabric parts used in assembling rubber footwear.

692.685-062 CROWN-ASSEMBLY-MACHINE OPERATORS tend a machine that inserts and glues cork, paper, plastic or aluminum foil in bottlecap shells.

692.685-098 GLUING MACHINE OPERATORS tend a machine that places pencil leads in the grooves of wooden slats and cements the slats together to form pencils.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Cementing and Gluing Machine Operators usually work alone under the general direction of a production supervisor. Cementing and Gluing Machine Operators usually work indoors in factories which are well lighted and well ventilated. Their work areas might be noisy. Machine Operators may have contact with airborne dust or fumes from work materials and adhesives. These Operators are protected by federal and state regulations specifying that fumes be vented and that ear protection be used.

Most Cementing and Gluing Machine Operators work a 40-hour week, eight hours per day. Operators might work day, afternoon, or night shifts depending on scheduling needs and on seniority. Some Operators may work overtime to meet production deadlines.

Work equipment, such as protective clothing and devices as well as safety glasses, is usually provided by the employer. The employee usually provides work shoes.

Some Cementing and Gluing Machine Operators are members of unions, such as the United Paperworkers International Union. Union members must pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities dealing with things and objects

• Activities of a routine, definite, organized nature

• Activities which involve the use of machines, processes, or methods

You Should Be Able To:

• Coordinate movements of hands/feet according to visual signals

• Repeat activities/tasks according to a required procedure or sequence

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

To connect two things together with glue, you have to apply 2 milliliters of glue per square centimeter. How much glue is needed to connect two items that have surface areas of 4 square centimeters?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Despite everyone's best efforts, however, accidents do sometimes occur. If you are involved in any accident while at work, report it to your supervisor immediately.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining any malfunctions that may have occurred with the machinery.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to look at a piece of machinery that is malfunctioning and decide how to complete your job without it.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 MATH , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript    

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program    

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript    

E-Learning Courses and Programs    

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Since cementing and gluing machine operating is a low-skilled occupation, few opportunities for experience exist. However, part-time or summer job opportunities in cementing and gluing machine operation may be available for persons who are at least 18 years of age.

            School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Cementing and Gluing Machine Operator employer

internships

volunteer work with a Cementing and Gluing Machine Operator employer

community service work with an agency

The most common method of entering this occupation is by applying directly to employers. Jobs may be located through a local office of Michigan Works! and in newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

America's Job Bank ( http://www.ajb.dni.us )

Classifieds Employment ( http://www.classifieds2000.com )    

           Yahoo! Careers ( http://careers.yahoo.com/ )

            Michigan Department of Career Development  ( http://www.michigan.gov/mdcd )

            You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Cementing and Gluing Machine Operators vary according to the individual's skill, type of machine operated, union affiliation, company size, and geographic area. Unionized operators generally earn higher wages than nonunionized operators.

Nationally, Cementing and Gluing Machine Operators had weekly earnings ranging between minimum wage $300 and $750 in 2001. Their median weekly earnings were $504.  The median weekly earnings of  "all" workers in the U.S. were $597 in 2001.

Hourly wages of unionized Cementing and Gluing Machine Operators in the paper products industry in Michigan in mid 2002 ranged between $13.80 and $15.56. Those Operators employed in the plywood industry in Michigan earned hourly wages which ranged between $8.75 and $14.00 in early 2002. Glue machine tenders employed by a major cereal manufacturer earned $22.31 per hour in 2002. Cement Application & Gluing Machine Operators working for major automobile manufacturers earned between $16.57 and $23.10 per hour in mid 2002. In addition, these workers receive a cost-of-living allowance.

Cementing and Gluing Machine Operators may earn 1 1/2 to 2 times their hourly wage for overtime work. They may also receive shift differential pay for working a second or third shift.

Depending on the employer, many Cementing and Gluing Machine Operators receive paid vacations, holidays, and sick leave. Many also receive health, life, and accident insurance and a pension plan. Some workers and their dependents may also receive dental and optical benefits. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer.

Most Cementing and Gluing Machine Operators learn their job skills through on-the-job training lasting a short time. Those Operators with initiative, a broad range of production experience, or additional education may advance to the supervisory level. Under most company and union rules, seniority is the major consideration in advancement. Other factors considered are skill and aptitude.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were approximately 35,600 Cementing and Gluing Machine Operators employed in 2000. The employment of Cementing and Gluing Machine Operators is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2010. The industry distribution for Cementing & Gluing Machine Operator looked like this:

Some slight growth may occur as chemists develop new wood, paper, and rubber products.

The manufacturing industries use a variety of adhesives to bond materials together. The construction industry, particularly in the production of factory-built houses have eliminated up to 75% of nailing using mastics (latex or solvent base adhesives). Some parts of automobiles and airplanes, especially those made of plastics, composites, and aluminum are being joined together using adhesives rather than welds and rivets. The added flexible strength and their lightweight characteristics make the new adhesives highly desirable for industrial applications. However, in some businesses these adhesives are being applied by robots which have machine vision. In such cases, improved manufacturing methods may limit the number of employment opportunities.

There were approximately 750 Cementing and Gluing Machine Operators employed in Michigan. Most Cementing and Gluing Machine Operators worked in or near urban areas. Nearly all worked in the manufacturing industry. They were employed in a variety of manufacturing plants making paper, plywood, furniture, luggage, and footwear.

Employment of Cementing and Gluing Machine Operators is expected to decline in Michigan through the year 2008. An average of 20 openings is expected annually, with all due to replacement of those who retire, die or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations.

Certain major industrial sectors in Michigan are expecting variable rates of business activity. The leather goods sector is anticipating continued decreases due to heavy competition from foreign imports. The paper products sector is expecting only small increases, in part, because consumers are using more plastic packaging materials, such as plastic grocery bags, rather than paper. The paperboard box sector is continuing a slow but steady comeback due to greater consumer spending and a generally brighter business picture. The plywood and veneer sector is some limited growth due to moderate gains in remodeling and residential building and furniture manufacturing.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2008

  EMPLOYMENT                        NUMBER            PERCENT           PROJECTED YEARLY  

  REGION                                    EMPLOYED       GROWTH            JOB OPENINGS  

  Ann Arbor Area                           20                       -28.6                     0  

  Benton Harbor Area                    15                       -20.0                      0  

  Central Michigan                         10                          0.0                       0  

  Detroit MSA                               50                       -17.8                      1  

  Grand Rapids Area                     180                      -9.7                        4  

  Jackson Area                              20                        -20.0                      0  

  Kalamazoo Area                         20                        -28.6                      0  

  Lansing MSA                              20                          0.0                       0  

  Northeast Lower Peninsula          10                        -18.2                      0  

  Northwest Lower Peninsula         25                        -14.8                      1  

  Saginaw MSA                             10                        -37.5                      0  

  Thumb Area                                15                          6.7                        0  

  Upper Peninsula                           40                       -22.5                       1  

  West Central Michigan                 70                       -14.5                       2  

 MSA designates a Metropolitan Statistical Area    

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

Copyright © 2003 Michigan Department of Career Development