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What does a mold setter do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read

A mold setter positions molds used to cast products from a variety of materials such as plastic, metals, lead and composites. In this position, they are responsible for controlling the flow of materials into a machine, monitoring the process to prevent issues, and interpreting blueprints to ensure machinery is set accordingly. They are also responsible for ensuring products are produced accurately and within set time constrictions.

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Mold setter responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real mold setter resumes:

  • Manage utilization of LOTO procedures, GMP standards and OSHA safety standards.
  • Demonstrate efficient manual dexterity at a rapid and continuous rate.
  • Operate sidel machines, clean machines, inspect parts and simple maintenance to ensure machine run properly.

Mold setter skills and personality traits

We calculated that 17% of Mold Setters are proficient in Hand Tools, Mold Changes, and Hydraulic Presses. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Dexterity, and Mechanical skills.

We break down the percentage of Mold Setters that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Hand Tools, 17%

    Utilized different hand tools in the machines for things such as loop water lines and thermometer.

  • Mold Changes, 13%

    Assisted in the daily blow molding operations Mold changes Machine operator Loading and unloading trucks Assisted in mold repairs

  • Hydraulic Presses, 9%

    Trained employees to operate and set up hydraulic presses.

  • PET, 8%

    Maintain continuous operation of plastic (PET) injection/blow mold equipment.

  • Production Schedules, 7%

    Perform mold/tool changes, as per production schedule, on hot and cold runner molds, from 1 to 8 cavities.

  • Water Lines, 4%

    Verify, install, and connect knock out bars, hydraulic lines, water lines and hot runner cables.

"hand tools," "mold changes," and "hydraulic presses" are among the most common skills that mold setters use at work. You can find even more mold setter responsibilities below, including:

Computer skills. The most essential soft skill for a mold setter to carry out their responsibilities is computer skills. This skill is important for the role because "metal and plastic machine workers must be able to use programmable devices, computers, and robots on the factory floor." Additionally, a mold setter resume shows how their duties depend on computer skills: "checked, recorded, and entered data into computer for spc control. "

Mechanical skills. mold setters are also known for mechanical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to mold setter responsibilities, because "these workers must be comfortable with machines and have a good understanding of how all the parts work." A mold setter resume example shows how mechanical skills is used in the workplace: "set up and operate mechanical single action and dual action deep draw stamping presses for production runs. "

Physical strength. mold setter responsibilities often require "physical strength." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "metal and plastic machine workers must be able to secure and tighten heavy fixtures into place." This resume example shows what mold setters do with physical strength on a typical day: "amount the top load strength of a pet bottle. "

Most common mold setter skills

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Compare different mold setters

Mold setter vs. Die cast technician

A composite technician specializes in producing and repairing composite materials, ensuring quality and efficiency. Their responsibilities include coordinating with engineers and specialists, studying designs and diagrams, operating machines and equipment, and developing strategies to optimize workflow. In a company setting, a composite technician is also in charge of producing progress reports, preparing and processing documentation, and providing technical support to staff. Furthermore, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with team members, adhering to the company's policies and regulations at all times.

The annual salary of die cast technicians is $2,090 higher than the average salary of mold setters.Even though mold setters and die cast technicians are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require hand tools, iso, and machine operators in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a mold setter are more likely to require skills like "mold changes," "hydraulic presses," "pet," and "production schedules." On the other hand, a job as a die cast technician requires skills like "splints," "patient care," "die cast," and "aluminum." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Die cast technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than mold setters. In fact, die cast technicians are 2.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Mold setter vs. Composite technician

On average, composite technicians earn a $2,556 lower salary than mold setters a year.A few skills overlap for mold setters and composite technicians. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "hand tools," "iso," and "hoists. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, mold setter responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "mold changes," "hydraulic presses," "pet," and "production schedules." Meanwhile, a composite technician has duties that require skills in areas such as "calipers," "composite materials," "engineering drawings," and "grinders." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Composite technicians may earn a lower salary than mold setters, but composite technicians earn the most pay in the start-up industry with an average salary of $40,404. On the other hand, mold setters receive higher pay in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $41,616.composite technicians earn similar levels of education than mold setters in general. They're 2.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Mold setter vs. Dieing out machine operator

An average dieing out machine operator eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of mold setters. The difference in salaries amounts to dieing out machine operators earning a $2,973 higher average salary than mold setters.By looking over several mold setters and dieing out machine operators resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "production schedules," "iso," and "production runs." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from mold setter resumes include skills like "hand tools," "mold changes," "hydraulic presses," and "pet," whereas a dieing out machine operator is more likely to list skills in "cnc," "calipers," "press machine," and "jigs. "

Dieing out machine operators typically earn similar educational levels compared to mold setters. Specifically, they're 3.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Mold setter vs. Casting associate

Casting associates tend to earn a higher pay than mold setters by an average of $899 per year.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between mold setters and casting associates, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a mold setter might have more use for skills like "hand tools," "mold changes," "hydraulic presses," and "pet." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of casting associates require skills like "quality standards," "skype," "real people," and "travel arrangements. "

Casting associates reach higher levels of education compared to mold setters, in general. The difference is that they're 6.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of mold setter

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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