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Photographic Processing Machine Operators

Description

Operate photographic processing machines, such as photographic printing machines, film developing machines, and mounting presses.

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a drywall installer might benefit from experience installing drywall, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be an installer with little difficulty.

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.

Tasks

Starts and operates machines to prepare circuit boards and expose, develop, etch, fix, wash, dry, and print film or plates.
Measures and mixes chemicals according to formula to prepare solutions for processing.
Cleans and maintains photo-processing equipment, using cleaning and rinsing solutions and ultrasonic equipment.
Removes completed work from equipment and examines circuit boards, plates, film, and prints for conformance to quality standards.
Reads work orders and examines negatives and film to determine machine settings and processing requirements.
Maintains records, such as number and types of processing completed, rate of materials usage, and customer charges.
Loads circuit boards, racks or rolls of film, negatives, or printing paper into processing or printing machines.
Sets and adjusts machine controls, according to specifications, type of operation, and material requirements.
Fills tanks of processing machines with solutions, such as developer, dyes, stop-baths, fixers, bleaches, and washes.
Places film in labeled containers or numbers film for identification, using numbering machine or by hand.
Monitors equipment operation to detect malfunctions.
Discards or cleans and repairs defective film or circuit patterns on photographic plates, using cleaning solutions and hand tools.

National Average Salary

$20,320.00/year

Average Salary in Maryland

$19,840.00/year

Important Abilities

   1. Near Vision
   2. Manual Dexterity
   3. Visual Color Discrimination
   4. Night Vision
   5. Control Precision

General Work Activities

   1. Handling and Moving Objects
   2. Controlling Machines and Processes
   3. Monitor Processes, Material, Surroundings
   4. Inspecting Equipment, Structures, Material
   5. Getting Information Needed to Do the Job

Important Skills

   1. Operation and Control
   2. Product Inspection
   3. Operation Monitoring
   4. Mathematics
   5. Reading Comprehension

Frequent Work Context

   1. Degree of Automation
   2. Using Hands on Objects, Tools, Controls
   3. Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
   4. Consequence of Error
   5. Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

Related Careers

Related Majors (A) Associate (B) Bachelors (C) Certificate (D) Doctor (M) Master

Imaging (B)
Imaging Science (B)
Imaging Systems Management (B)
Imaging Technology (B)
Imaging/Photographic Technology (B)
Photographic Imaging (A)
Photographic Imaging (B)
Photographic Preservation and Collections Management (M)
Photographic/Electronic Imaging (B)
Photoplate Making (B)

MarylandMentor Institutions Offering Related Majors

No Institution Found

The majors and institutions listed here are based on the current information in our database. Please be aware this information may be subject to change. We strongly encourage you to consult with your career counselor.

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