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Calender Operators control machines to coat, impregnate, imprint, or form rubber sheeting or rubberized fabric. There are several types of specialized Calender Operators, and, in addition to their specialty, they may be designated by the type of material being calendered, such as fabric Calender Operator or gum stock Calender Operator.

JOB DUTIES

Calender Operators may:

Operate steam valves to regulate the heat of the rolls on a calendering machine, judge the heat by the action of the rubber going through it and by feeling the rolls with their hands

Adjust rollers to regulate the thickness of calendered material

Use gages to verify the thickness of calendered materials

Thread fabric or rubber sheeting around and between rollers, through coating reservoirs, and onto a pickup reel

Adjust knives that cut material to specified widths and trim edges

Observe and mark calendered material for defects such as bubbles, bumps, streaks, and pits

The tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Calender Operators may specialize in these areas:

554.662-010 FOUR-ROLL CALENDER OPERATORS control machines which coat both sides of fabric stock with rubber at the same time and roll sheets to specifications. They adjust automatic controls and observe temperature dials to heat calender rolls to a specific temperature, start the machine and adjust the speed of the conveyor which feeds the stock.

554.682-010 CALENDER-LET-OFF OPERATORS run let-off, dipping, and drying units of a four-roll calender to bond rubber to fabric. They splice roll ends together using gum strips and cure the splice in a vulcanizer. They make adjustments to maintain specified fabric width, temperature, dip tank levels, and roller speed.

554.665-010 CALENDER-WIND-UP TENDERS operate wind-up racks on four-roll calenders that wind calendered fabrics onto rolls. They compare the weight and length of material to a standard.

554.686-018 CALENDER-OPERATOR HELPERS perform various duties to assist Calender Operators, such as changing fabric rolls, threading machines, detecting faults, setting yardage counters, and attaching identification tags to calendered materials.

554.686-014 CALENDER-LET-OFF HELPERS position fabric rolls and string spools on the let-off rack of a calender machine and remove empty rolls.

554.686-022 CALENDER-WIND-UP HELPERS position liner rolls on the wind-up rack of a calender machine and lower full rolls of calendered material to the floor, using a hoist. They trim the stock material and examine it for defects. They also tag calendered rolls to show weight, yardage, and stock type.

554.362-010 CALENDER OPERATOR

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

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Calender Operators may work alone or as a member of a crew. Their work is managed by a floor supervisor, and they may direct Calender Operator Helpers who perform tasks to assist them.

Operators work indoors in manufacturing plants that are well lighted and have special ventilating systems to remove odors and fumes. An emphasis on safety engineering has given the rubber industry one of the best safety records in the country.

Calender Operators generally work a 5-day, 40-hour week. Depending on the employer, they may work day, evening, or night shifts. Overtime work is sometimes available, but is usually voluntary. According to statistics collected by the Department of Labor, the average workweek for production workers in the rubber industry nationally was 42.1 hours in late 1995.

Although some workers may be required to furnish their own hand tools, Calender Operators work with specialized machines, equipment furnished by the employer. Safety clothing, such as gloves, is also furnished.

Most Calender Operators belong to The United Rubber, Cork, Linoleum, and Plastic Workers of America. Unions members must pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Working with things and objects

• Performing activities which require special processes and methods

• Performing routine duties, if a Helper

You Should Be Able To:

• Evaluate and make decisions based on an established standard

• Work accurately and within precise limits

• Repeat activities/tasks according to routine procedure/ sequence

• Coordinate the use of your eyes and hands

• Work easily and skillfully with your hands

• See and feel detail in calendered materials

• Recognize slight differences in shapes or shadings

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

When hydrochloric acid is dissolved in water, it ionizes according to what chemical reaction?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Hard chrome deposit can be rendered porous by mechanical or chemical or electrochemical methods. It is then called porous chromium, which consists of a large number of pits of controlled depth or network cracks.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare a written analysis of a finished product indicating any defects.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Should be able to demonstrate organizational skills and be detail oriented in operating calendars.

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 , 2300 METALS , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 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 Program

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Some experience in calender operation may be obtained through a summer job in a rubber goods manufacturing plant. However, opportunities may be limited for high school students because safety regulations require that workers in some positions be at least 18 years of age. Interested students may explore the occupation by visiting a rubber goods manufacturing plant and observing calender operators on the job.

               School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Calender Operator employer

internships

volunteer work with a Calender Operator employer

community service work with an agency

Most Calender Operators obtain their position by applying directly to employers. Jobs may be located by contacting local union offices, high school placement offices, local offices of Michigan Works!, or through newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank

Yahoo! Careers

Michigan Works!

In addition, you should enter an electronic resume on these online services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Calender Operators depend on the level of the job, the number of hours worked, and the skill of the worker. Workers may be paid a flat hourly rate or piecework rates with a guaranteed minimum hourly rate.

Nationally, the average hourly earnings for production workers in the rubber industry as a whole were $10.92 in 1995.

In Michigan, hourly earnings for production workers in the rubber industry, as a whole, averaged $10.98 in 1995. In addition to regular pay, some Calender Operators receive cost-of-living allowances.

Most Calender Operators receive paid vacations and holidays; life, health, and accident insurance; sick leave; dental insurance; and a pension plan. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer.

Individuals may start out in less-skilled jobs, such as calender operator helper or calender-let-off helper, or may enter higher-skilled jobs, such as Calender Operator, directly. Beginners receive on-the-job training until they acquire the necessary skills. As is the case in manufacturing plants, experienced workers may "bid" (apply) for any openings which occurs in the plant. A few skilled Calender Operators eventually advance to supervisory positions. Seniority and skill are the two most important factors in advancement. Advancement to supervisory positions requires the ability to deal with and direct the activities of other workers.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 266,900 production workers employed in the rubber manufacturing industry in early 1995. It is estimated that between 4,230 and 5,300 of these were Calender Operators.

Employment in the rubber manufacturing industry is expected to stabilize. Since the last recession, overall demand for rubber products has increased slightly. Perhaps the strongest growth has been seen in tire manufacturing, particularly light truck and recreational vehicle tire production. However, the outlook is greatly affected by economic conditions. Calendered material is used in the manufacture of tires, conveyor belts, v-belts, reinforced rubber hose, rubber garments and footwear, and other rubber products. When sales of these products fall off, the demand for Calender Operators decreases. Although large employment growth is not expected, new workers will still be needed to replace those who retire or leave their jobs for other reasons.

The exact number of Calender Operators employed in Michigan is unknown. Most worked in urban areas. Calender Operators in Michigan worked for companies that manufactured rubber hose and belting, rubberized fabrics, industrial and mechanical rubber goods, and other specialized rubber products.

The employment outlook for Calender Operators in Michigan depends on the economy. Because Calendar Operator is a small occupation in Michigan, a small number of openings is expected annually. Decreased demand for tires, and the switch to longer-lasting radial tires, caused the closing of all tire manufacturing plants in Michigan in the 1980's. This has reduced the number of Calender Operators employed in Michigan. Since the auto industry is also a primary market for v-belts and reinforced rubber hose, auto manufacturing affects employment in firms manufacturing these products. Some additional openings should occur as workers transfer to other jobs or occupations.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development