Are you looking for a training course where you can combine the technical work of a mechanic with the refined recipes of a cook? Congratulations, you have found it! Because in the training as a process mechanic for plastics and rubber technology, you are responsible for operating and monitoring the machines as well as mixing the ingredients of your materials according to the recipe. As the name suggests: The two main materials you work with are plastic and rubber. Plastic is more familiar than plastic and rubber than rubber. Everything you can do with these materials you will learn later in the text.

How does the training as a process mechanic for plastics and rubber technology work?

Before you start your three-year training as a process mechanic for plastics and rubber technology, you can choose one of seven exciting disciplines: Components, compounding and masterbatches, fibre composite technology, moulded parts, semi-finished products, plastic windows or multi-layer rubber parts.

Some of the specialities are already self-explanatory, such as the components speciality, in which you manufacture components and assemblies as well as piping systems. Particularly in the manufacture of compound and masterbatches, you will probably ask yourself, "What is this?" Your kitchen skills are particularly in demand, as you mix composites and paint granules of each component, specifically according to customer requirements. For example, if the customer wants a colour granule in the colour cream, then you know straight away which shades need to be mixed in which quantities to achieve the desired colour. You not only use a scale, but also machines that allow you to take the colour mass in the right initial form.

At the beginning of your training as a plastics and rubber process mechanic, you will learn everything that is important about your two main materials: What are they made of? How do you put them here? What do you have to do in the manufacturing process? Then you will be taught all the tricks and knocks in handling the production machines. Indeed, before you start production, you must first ask yourself what settings are the right ones to get the desired result in the end. Once you have everything set up, you can fill the machine and monitor the production process. If something goes wrong or if a state of mind needs to be optimised, you make the improvements in a professional manner.

In addition to production, you are also responsible for quality control and regularly check whether your current product meets your company's quality standards. You carry out special measurements with a special machine and a computer will then tell you whether you have really achieved the right shade with your mixture. But most of the time, everything is fine and your product can be handed over to the customer. Have you found your dream job? Make your future and become a process mechanic for plastics and rubber.