Tire Building Machine Operators

Career summary

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Tire building machine operators use several materials to make tires including:

• Rubber
• Fabric
• Steel wire

To set up machines, operators use hand tools and gauges to set the proper distance between the rollers and the drum. They begin by attaching the rubber to a drum. To form the tire body, operators wind the plies, or layers of rubber, around the drum.

A layer of fabric is attached over the rubber. Operators attached a metal bead over the fabric. Finally, operators add steel belts and the tread. They bond the tread to the other layers of rubber by operating rollers that press the parts together as the drum revolves. When the tire is built, operators collapse the drum.

Operators monitor machines and make adjustments when necessary.

Related careers

This career is part of the Manufacturing cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Bookbinders and Bindery Workers
• Clothes Pressers
• Metal and Plastic Processing Workers
• Packaging and Filling Machine Operators
• Sawing Machine Operators
• Textile Machine Operators
• Welding and Soldering Machine Operators

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to tire building machine operators.

• Set rollers and drum to the correct width. Use hand tools and gauges.
• Rub cement sticks on drum edge so that rubber strips will stick.
• Pull strips of rubber from supply rack. Align them with the edge of the drum.
• Cut strips of rubber and press ends together to form a continuous band.
• Brush solvent onto strips of rubber to make them sticky.
• Turn ends of rubber strips under and over beads with a steel rod.
• Depress pedal to rotate drum. Wind a set number of plies around drum to form the tire body.
• Align tread with guide. Start drum to wind the tread onto layers of rubber and slice ends.
• Start rollers that bond tread and layers of rubber as drum revolves.
• Push down pedal to collapse drum. Lift tire onto conveyor belt.

Common work activities

Tire building machine operators perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Handle and move objects
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Control machines and processes
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Get information needed to do the job
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Teach others
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Evaluate information against standards
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Make decisions and solve problems

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, tire building machine operators:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a low level of social contact. Operators spend most of their time running machines.

Physical work conditions

• Always work indoors.
• Are exposed to noise levels that are uncomfortable or distracting on a daily basis.
• Usually wear protective or safety attire, such as work boots and gloves.
• Often are exposed to contaminants.
• Often are exposed to hazardous equipment, situations, and conditions that may result in cuts, scrapes, or burns.
• Are sometimes exposed to very bright or dim lighting conditions.

Work performance

• Must be exact in their work and be sure all details are done. Errors could cause tires to fail and people could be hurt.
• Work according to the pace that is set by the speed of the machinery.
• Repeat the same physical activities.
• Often make minor decisions that affect others.
• Must meet very strict daily deadlines and quotas.

Hours/travel

• Work at least 40 hours per week.
• May work day or evening shifts.
• May work rotating shifts.

Physical demands

Tire building machine operators frequently:

• Stand for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Bend or twist their body.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.
• Kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl.

It is important for tire building machine operators to be able to:

• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for tire building machine operators to be able to:

• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.

Skills and abilities

Tire building machine operators need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.

Reason and problem solve

• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with things

• Operate and control equipment.
• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

• Industrial Mechanics
• Manufacturing Technology

Training

To work as a tire building machine operator, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required beyond high school.

On-the-job training

Tire building machine operators learn their skills on the job from experienced workers. During training, you learn how to:

• set up equipment;
• operate machines; and
• check for quality.

The length of training varies by employer and type of machine. In general, you receive up to one year of training.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Equipment Maintenance and Repair
• Physical Education

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers may require applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Employers look for people who have some aptitude for working with machines and tools. They also look for applicants who are in good physical condition.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Tire Builders 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Currently, there is no specific statewide wage information available for tire building machine operators.

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. The operator's level of experience and responsibility also affect wages. In addition, operators who work night shifts earn more than those who work day shifts.

Tire building machine operators who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include paid vacation days, holidays, and sick leave. Operators may also receive life and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Almost all tire building machine operators work for tire manufacturing companies.

Major employers:

• Tire manufacturers
• Tire stores

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is declining. More tires are being imported from other countries. The machines used to create tires are more efficient. This means fewer tire builders are needed to create more tires each day.

Despite the declining number of jobs, openings will occur as current operators leave this occupation.

Other resources

Washington Business Week 
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

References

Career cluster

• Manufacturing

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Tire Builders (51-9197.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupations

• Bead Builder (750.684-014) 
• Tire Builder, Automobile (750.384-010) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Conventional/Investigative

COPSystem

• Technology Skilled