O*NET-SOC 51-4191.00

Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend heating equipment, such as heat-treating furnaces, flame-hardening machines, induction machines, soaking pits, or vacuum equipment to temper, harden, anneal, or heat treat metal or plastic objects.

From O*NET 30.3

Tasks

From O*NET 30.3, by importance, as O*NET OnLine lists them

Free · O*NET 30.3

Read production schedules and work orders to determine processing sequences, furnace temperatures, and heat cycle requirements for objects to be heat-treated.Core12087
Determine flame temperatures, current frequencies, heating cycles, and induction heating coils needed, based on degree of hardness required and properties of stock to be treated.Supplemental12095
Record times that parts are removed from furnaces to document that objects have attained specified temperatures for specified times.Core12088
Determine types and temperatures of baths and quenching media needed to attain specified part hardness, toughness, and ductility, using heat-treating charts and knowledge of methods, equipment, and metals.Supplemental12090
Examine parts to ensure metal shades and colors conform to specifications, using knowledge of metal heat-treating.Supplemental12104
Adjust controls to maintain temperatures and heating times, using thermal instruments and charts, dials and gauges of furnaces, and color of stock in furnaces to make setting determinations.Core12094
Set and adjust speeds of reels and conveyors for prescribed time cycles to pass parts through continuous furnaces.Supplemental12112
Start conveyors and open furnace doors to load stock, or signal crane operators to uncover soaking pits and lower ingots into them.Core12107
Set up and operate or tend machines, such as furnaces, baths, flame-hardening machines, and electronic induction machines, that harden, anneal, and heat-treat metal.Core12089
Load parts into containers and place containers on conveyors to be inserted into furnaces, or insert parts into furnaces.Supplemental12096
Remove parts from furnaces after specified times, and air dry or cool parts in water, oil brine, or other baths.Core12091
Test parts for hardness, using hardness testing equipment, or by examining and feeling samples.Supplemental12102
Move controls to light gas burners and to adjust gas and water flow and flame temperature.Core12099
Signal forklift operators to deposit or extract containers of parts into and from furnaces and quenching rinse tanks.Supplemental12101
Mount workpieces in fixtures, on arbors, or between centers of machines.Supplemental12097
Reduce heat when processing is complete to allow parts to cool in furnaces or machinery.Supplemental12100
Mount fixtures and industrial coils on machines, using hand tools.Supplemental12113
Heat billets, bars, plates, rods, and other stock to specified temperatures preparatory to forging, rolling, or processing, using oil, gas, or electrical furnaces.Supplemental12108
Position stock in furnaces, using tongs, chain hoists, or pry bars.Supplemental12092
Instruct new workers in machine operation.Core12093
Repair, replace, and maintain furnace equipment as needed, using hand tools.Supplemental12106
Clean oxides and scales from parts or fittings, using steam sprays or chemical and water baths.Supplemental12109
Stamp heat-treatment identification marks on parts, using hammers and punches.Supplemental12111

Technology Skills

From O*NET 30.3, 5 examples in 5 categories, 5 Hot Technology

Free · O*NET 30.3

Spreadsheet software

Microsoft ExcelHot Technology

Office suite software

Microsoft Office softwareHot Technology

Electronic mail software

Microsoft OutlookHot Technology

Word processing software

Microsoft WordHot TechnologyIn Demand

Enterprise resource planning ERP software

SAP softwareHot Technology

Detailed Work Activities

From O*NET 30.3, under their work activities; open one for the AI skills Workforce Automation maps to it

Free · O*NET 30.3

Getting Information

Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Study blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Inspect metal, plastic, or composite products.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Determine metal or plastic production methods.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Performing General Physical Activities

Clean production equipment.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Load items into ovens or furnaces.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Handling and Moving Objects

Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Position raw materials on processing or production equipment.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Adjust equipment controls to regulate gas flow.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Heat material or workpieces to prepare for or complete production.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Controlling Machines and Processes

Operate heating or drying equipment.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

Replace worn equipment components.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Repair production equipment or tools.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment

Maintain production or processing equipment.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Documenting/Recording Information

Record operational or production data.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Signal others to coordinate work activities.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Training and Teaching Others

Instruct workers to use equipment or perform technical procedures.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Job Zone

From O*NET 30.3

Free · O*NET 30.3

Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed

Workforce Automation analysis, not part of the source

WFA coverage: AI skills for this job

WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

Pilot mapping: these skill links come from our seed list and haven’t been reviewed yet. Expect them to change as each one is checked.

DWAs covered by an AI skill0 of 21

Distinct tools0

Level mix

No tools yet

Equivalents

NICE work roles, with their DCWF equivalents

Mapped to this job by the ETO-CSET NICE/O*NET crosswalk (2024); roles from NICE Framework Components v2.2.0, DCWF equivalents from DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)

Free · NICE Framework Components v2.2.0 and DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)

No NICE work role maps to this job.