The primary job functions of Class 2 Extruder Technicians are to:

1. Read and follow production job instructions,

1. Remove finished rolls of film from the winders,

1. Prepare the winders forsubsequent production rolls,

1. Prepare finished rolls of film for shipment,

1. Accurately record production and roll data,

1. At the direction of the Operator, begin assisting in the operation of the extrusion line.

The primary job functions of Class 3 Extruder Techniciansare to ensure the film meets order-specific quality specifications, to work closely with the Extruder Operator to learn fundamental, basic operation of the film line, and to properly package finished product for shipment.

Qualifications for Class 1 Extruder Technicians

Employees must be current on their assigned RISE training classes to be eligible for promotion to Class 2 Extruder Technician.

Class 1 Extruder Technicians. Class 1 Extruder Technicians are entry level positions. Class 1 Extruder Technicians must demonstrate the following basic skills and abilities from the date of their hire. These include: 

1. The ability to understand and follow PPE rules and safety requirements as instructed,

1. The ability to learn and demonstrate safe operation of a forklift and to pass MSE’s practical forklift training,

1. The ability to read and comprehend simple instructions,

1. The ability to perform basic math, including simple addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers,

1. The ability to understand and follow shift rotation schedules and to report for work as directed.

Essential Job Functions for Class 1 Extruder Technician:

The essential job functions for a Class 1 Extruder Technician are:

1. Safelyoperating a forklift and following the requirements for doing so, which include but are not limited to:

1. Seat belts areworn at all times when operating equipment;

1. Horns are sounded at all crossings and blind spots;

1. Forks are close to the ground when driving without a load;

1. Speed of the lift isno greater than a brisk walk;

1. Load being lifted does not exceed load capacity of the lift;

1. When transporting a load that impairs the drivers forward vision the lift must be driven in reverse giving the driver clear vision in his direction of travel;

1. Safely navigate with a typical load of raw material or finished goods through the plant facility, including in relatively tight confines.

1. Conforming with PPE requirements and Safety Rules, which include:

1. Wearing eye protection whenever in the plant;

1. Wearing hearing protection as required when crossing the blue lines that are painted on the floor, heading towards the machines;

1. Wearing safety toed shoes or boots whenever working in the plant;

1. Wearing “cut gloves” on the opposite hand used to hold the knife when cutting;

1. Lifting or attempting to lift no more than 80 pounds. Anything heavier requires the aid from another person, forklift, big Joe or Dalmecroll handlers;

1. Wearing face shields anytime over the die during a startup;

1. Knowing the location of safety switches and devices on the production lines. Each machine is equipped with multiple safety switches and devices. Although the features are not the same for each machine, they all have safety devices in place to protect personnel from injury. These include pressure sensitive mats, light curtains, pull cords and emergency stop buttons.

1. Reading and understanding the production job instructions for the product currently in production on the extrusion line;

1. Pulling rolls from the winders of the production lines;

1. Packaging rolls in accordance with the production job instructions;

1. Safely cutting down scrap rolls and practicing the following: 

1. Always wear a cut proof glove on the non-cutting hand; and

1. Always cut away from the body.

1. Following all applicable MSE Personal Hygiene requirements for any work area assigned, including but not limited to:

1. No food and drink other than water in clear, plastic containers is on the production floor,

1. Tobacco products are kept in lockers and only used in designated smoking areas,

1. Hands are washed before entering the production area of Building 2,

1. Hair and beard nets (as applicable) are worn in the production area of Building 2.

Competencies required for Class I Extruder Technicians:

1. Ability to read and understand the job work instructions for each order;

1. Ability to safely splice over onto a new roll;

1. Ability to safely remove rolls from the winders;

1. By hand,

1. With use of Dalmec manipulators

1. Ability to accurately remember multi-digit number sequence and key into Epicor;

1. Ability to stand on feet for multiple hours at a time;

1. Ability to read a tape measure to the nearest 1/8 inch and applying measurements taken to the applicable job at hand;

1. Ability to use a hand scanner;

1. Ability to accurately remember multi-digit number sequence and key into Epicor;

1. Ability to perform basic math skills; add, subtract, multiply, and simple division;

1. Ability to safely operate a forklift in tight spaces;

1. Ability to put a core onto a shaft and set it in to the proper position;

1. Ability to legibly write product and production related data on the Production Tally Sheet;

1. Ability to weigh and record weights and physical dimensions of product rolls;

1. Ability to safely use banding equipment to prepare finished goods for safe shipment.

1. Safely operating a forklift, as described above;

1. Following MSE PPE requirements and Safety Rules, as described above;

1. Reading and understanding the production job instructions for the product currently in production and/or scheduled for production on the extrusion line;

1. Accurately reading a tape measure to the nearest 1/8 of an inch;

1. Safely making complete roll changes and performing the steps required to complete the production cycle, including:

1. loading a shaft into the winder,

1. installing a core on to the shaft, 

1. setting the core into proper position on the shaft and preparing the core to receive film,

1. applying the proper amount of air into the shaft to properly secure the core into position,

1. applying tape or glue to the core when required,

1. applying static pinning (including when and when not to apply),

1. demonstrating what to do if the film does not wrap onto the core,

1. cycling the winder,

1. cutting the film over when required,

1. pulling, labeling, and retaining samples for the lab when required,

1. weighing the rolls in accordance with the roll weighing procedure:

1. weighing every roll that exceeds 14” in diameter; and

1. weighing one roll per packaged layer for all others.

1. Verifying roll weights are within stated tolerances per the written job work instructions;

1. Wrapping rolls in paper or poly when required;

1. Applying roll headers and footers when required;

1. Logging roll data onto the Production Tally Sheet, including the disposition of rolls to QC Hold;

1. Entering roll data into the Epicor ERP system;

1. Banding pallets in accordance with standard operating procedures;

1. Stretch wrapping pallets;

1. Transporting and staging pallets of product properly and to the right locations once completed;

1. Finding raw materials in the warehouse;

1. Properly returning raw materials to the warehouse to the proper location;

1. Keeping work area clean and organized as evidenced by:

1. Pallets are stacked neatly,

1. Cores are stacked neatly and are not sitting on the floor,

1. Cradle packs, suspend packs, and core plugs are neat and not sitting on the floor,

1. Trash, plastic scraps, strapping scraps, cups, etc. is picked up and disposed of as it is created,

1. Areas surrounding the lines are swept up daily, and

1. Workstations are kept clean and organized.

1. Weighing and labeling scrap properly, andassisting the EREMA Technician as needed. 

Competencies for Class 2 Extruder Technician

1. Ability to read and understand the job work instructions for each order;

1. Ability to safely splice over onto a new roll;

1. Ability to safely operate Dalmec Manipulators;

1. Ability to use banding equipment to prepare finished goods for safe shipment;

1. Ability to stand on feet for multiple hours at a time;

1. Ability to read a tape measure to the nearest 1/8 inch;

1. Ability to use a hand scanner;

1. Ability to accurately remember multi-digit number sequence and key into Epicor;

1. Ability to perform basic math skills; add, subtract, multiply, and simple division;

1. Ability to safely operate a forklift in tight spaces;

1. Ability to put a core onto a shaft and set it in to the proper position;

1. Ability to legibly write product and production related data on the Production Tally Sheet;

1. Ability to weigh and record weights and physical dimensions of product rolls;

1. Ability to set slitter blades to desired trim width;

1. Ability to identify and properly position a screen on the breaker plate for each extruder.

Essential Functions for Class 3 Extruder Technicians

The Essential Functions for Class 3 Extruder Technicians are:

1. Properly and safely tie the bubble up during start-up of the machine;

1. Thread up the machine from the die all the way to the winder. This includes:

1. Through treater stations when required,

1. Through hole punch units when required,

1. Through inline printers when required,

1. Through out-of-line printers when required,

1. Though bag machines when required.

1. Turn the winders on to start pulling the film through the tower;

1. Cut air pockets out of the sheet as it travels down the tower;

1. Properly block in the bubble to ensure it is stable as it travels up the tower;

1. Set trim blades so they cut the sheet to the desired width;

1. Install trim into the trim pipes;

1. Separate the sheet and thread to the opposite winder;

1. Verify cores are set properly and are ready to make a roll change;

1. They are set in the correct position,

1. The air shaft is inflated properly,

1. Tape or glue has been applied to the core if needed.

1. Change blades in the EREMA’s (Lines 9, 10, 11, and 12) and record on the appropriate EREMA blade change log;

1. Setting slitter blades to desired trim width;

1. Separating the sheet to form SWS;

1. Reading gauges and properly document all production line settings;

1. Properly hooking resin lines to blenders;

1. Properly hooking box lines up to blenders and probing the boxes;

1. Properly cleaning angel hair traps in the silos;

1. Properly cleaning angel hair traps in the blender hoppers;

1. Properly changing screens on all extruder types and recording screen changes in the appropriate screen change log;

1. Completely filling out the Production Tally Sheet and accurately recording production data on it including lot numbers of raw materials, line heats, and other required information;

1. Setting treater fingers to the film width and turning on treaters.

Competencies for Class 3 Extruder Technicians:

1. Know where silo sheets are located, verify they are for the current time period, and know how to read them;

1. Ability to take the production job instructions and verify the correct silos, resins, additives, or colors are hooked up properly and are set at the proper percentages;

1. Ability to perform all quality checks:

1. run a gauge profile and verify it’s within the allowed tolerances,

1. check dart and verify it meets or exceeds allowed tolerances,

1. check tear properties and verify it meets or exceeds allowed tolerances,

1. measure the roll width and verify it matches the customer’s specifications,

1. check bag dimensions and quality as described below:

1. Length is correct,

1. Width is correct,

1. Gussets are correct size,

1. Seals are good. 

1. Ability to accurately check dyne levels on treated or non-treated films;

1. Ability to check hole punch configurations to verify they are set correctly and are performing according to the customers specifications;

1. Ability to monitor boxed resins, additives, or colors to ensure proper flow is not interrupted;

1. Ability to clean filtration systems on the blender hoppers in a correct and timely manner;

1. Ability to clean the air ring and/or IBC filters in a correct and timely manner;

1. Ability to read and document heat profiles onto the Production Tally Sheet:

1. Barrel heats,

1. Die heats.

1. Ability to read and document the line settings:

1. Winder tensions,

1. Taper tensions,

1. Line tensions,

1. Lay-on tension,

1. Nip pressures,

1. Air ring temperatures,

1. Air volume – static pressure.

1. Ability to check and record the blender material usage readings;

1. Ability to correctly complete shift production reports;

1. Ability to report completed pallet summaries.

1. Ability to properly handle and store all raw materials;

1. Ability to properly handle and store moisture sensitive resins;

1. Ability to make screen changes properly for all production lines; 

1. Ability to clean silo filters in a proper and timely manner;

1. Ability to safely operate Dalmecmanipulators;

1. Ability to understand the purpose of treating film surfaces and how treaters in general work;

1. Ability to understand what static eliminators are and how to verify they are always working properly.

Qualifications for Class 4 Extruder Technicians

1. All Class 1, 2, and 3 Extruder Technician Essential Functions;

1. Rebuild hole punches and set up the hole punches to order requirements;

1. Operate the extrusion line during normal conditions when the extrusion line Operator is assisting in other places, is on break, or is temporarily not available;

1. Assist in upset conditions on other extrusion lines at the direction of the Operator with whom they currently work.

PPE requirements and Safety rules

1. Eye protection is required anywhere in the plant.

1. Hearing protection is required when crossing the blue lines that are painted on the floor, heading towards the machines.

1. Safety toed shoes or boots are required everywhere in the plant.

1. Cut gloves are required to be worn on the opposite hand you use to hold a knife when cutting.

1. Maximum weight allowed to be lifted by one person is 80 pounds. Anything heavier requires the aid from another person, forklift, big Joe or roll handlers.

1. Face shields are required to be worn anytime you are over the die during start up.

Each machine is equipped with multiple safety switches and devices. Although the features are not the same for each machine, they all have safety devices in place to help protect you. These include; pressure sensitive mats, light curtains, pull cords and emergency stop buttons. You must be able to identify each of these safety switches and devices on every production line.

Supervisory Responsibilities