Description
Set up, operate, and tend die cutting machines to cut, crease, perforate, or emboss paperboard, corrugated, film, foam, or similar substrates to job specifications while ensuring quality and safety.
- • Inspect and measure cut blanks for size, registration, crease depth, and cut quality using rulers, calipers, and gauges.
- • Set up, operate, and monitor platen or rotary die cutters according to job tickets and dielines.
- • Review job tickets, dielines, CAD layouts, and specifications to determine tooling, make-ready, and machine settings.
- • Enter counts, speeds, and setup parameters on the HMI; set guides, grippers, and clamps.
- • Install dies, counter plates, cutting jackets, matrix, and stripping or blanking tools using hand tools.
- • Level and lock dies in the chase and torque clamps to specifications.
- • Load feeders and thread sheets through feed and register systems.
- • Set side and back guides; adjust gripper margins to match the dieline.
- • Start, stop, and jog machines using control panels, pedals, or levers.
- • Run make-ready sheets to verify setup and fine-tune pressure and registration.
- • Adjust impression pressure, speed, sheet alignment, and delivery to maintain quality and throughput.
- • Monitor feeding, cutting, creasing, embossing, and waste stripping to detect jams or supply needs.
- • Pull and segregate defective sheets; correct issues with pressure, registration, nicks, or stripping.
- • Set up and test stripping and blanking stations to ensure clean waste removal.
- • Change dies, counter plates, and worn cutting rules; replace make-ready materials as needed.
- • Perform minor die repairs, rule setting, or patching; coordinate external die sharpening or repair.
- • Stack, count, and palletize finished blanks for finishing, packaging, or shipping.
- • Unload finished stacks from delivery and move to the next process.
- • Record production counts, waste, downtime, and material usage.
- • Move stock and scrap using carts, pallet jacks, or forklifts.
- • Clean and lubricate die cutters, deliveries, and conveyors; perform routine preventive maintenance.
- • Adjust vacuum, air, suction cups, and feed settings to maintain consistent feeding.
- • Hand trim or sample-correct with knives or snips during setup.
- • Follow lockout/tagout, guarding, and housekeeping procedures; maintain a clean and safe work area.
- • Lead and direct helpers during setups, runs, and changeovers.
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Advanced Manufacturing
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
