Laminator Press Operator

Ōnin Staffing; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Medical & Vision benefits

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Vacation and holidays

Job summary

Zone Enterprises in Nashville, TN is seeking a Laminator Press Operator to set up and run wide- or narrow-web laminators for multi-layer composites. You will monitor tension, heat, and bonding to prevent defects and ensure tight tolerances.

Ideal candidates have 1–2 years on converting machinery, the ability to read specifications, and strong mechanical aptitude. Position involves standing for long shifts and following ISO quality guidelines.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of experience operating laminating or web-fed presses.
• Ability to read blueprints/spec sheets and use precision measuring tools.
• Stand for long shifts and lift up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Set up, thread, calibrate, and operate wide- or narrow-web laminator presses.
• Adjust line speed, nip pressure, web tension, and temps for quality bonding.
• Inspect first-piece approvals and monitor for defects during runs.
• Maintain batch records and segregate non-conforming lots.
• Follow 5S and OSHA safety standards; perform routine maintenance.

Skills

Laminator operation

Web handling

Measurement & math

Blueprint reading

Physical stamina

Education

High school diploma

GED

Tools

Digital calipers

Micrometers

Job description

Zone Enterprises is seeking a reliable, quality-focused Laminator Press Operator for our manufacturing and converting facility in Nashville, TN. In this role, you will set up, calibrate, and run industrial laminating machinery and multi-web laminator presses to combine flexible substrates—including pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes, elastomeric foams, films, and liners—into multi-layered engineered composite materials.

The ideal candidate has strong mechanical aptitude, experience with web handling and nip-roll systems, and the precision required to produce consistent, bubble-free, and defect-free laminations aligned with tight manufacturing tolerances.

Setup & Machine Operation

• Set up, thread, calibrate, and operate wide-web or narrow-web laminator presses according to engineering specifications and daily work orders.
• Load raw material rolls (open/closed-cell foams, PSA tapes, release liners, plastics, foils) onto unwinds, pneumatic chucks, and tension mandrels.
• Adjust machine parameters including line speed, nip-roller gap pressure, web tension, and heat/temperature profiles to achieve optimal bonding without stretching, curling, or wrinkling.
• Set up slitting blades, rewind shafts, and edge guides to ensure finished master rolls meet slit-width and winding requirements.

Quality Control & Documentation

• Inspect initial proof runs and sign off on first-piece approvals before starting full production cycles.
• Continuously monitor web alignment, adhesive coat weight, peel adhesion, and composite thickness using calipers, micrometers, and tension gauges.
• Identify and eliminate common laminating flaws (e.g., air entrapment/tunneling, delamination, adhesive bleed, registration drift, liner tearing).
• Maintain accurate electronic and paper batch records, recording material usage, roll lot numbers, yield scrap, and machine run times.
• Segregate, quarantine, and tag any non-conforming web lots to uphold ISO 9001 quality guidelines.

Maintenance & Safety

• Conduct routine preventative maintenance, including cleaning nip rollers, wiping down adhesive build-up with approved solvents, and lubricating bearings.
• Practice 5S workplace organization to maintain a clean, organized, and debris-free laminating press bay.
• Adhere strictly to OSHA safety standards, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) protocols, pinch-point guarding, and mandatory PPE requirements.

Skills and Experience

• Experience: Minimum 1-2 years of experience operating converting machinery, industrial laminators, coaters, or web-fed presses.
• Mechanical & Web-Handling Knowledge: Demonstrated understanding of web guiding, rewinding tension control, and nip roll adjustments.
• Measurement & Math Skills: Proven ability to read standard blueprints/spec sheets and use precision measuring equipment (digital calipers, micrometers, rulers) with basic shop math (decimals, fractions).
• Physical Capabilities: Ability to stand and move on foot throughout an 8- to 10-hour shift and lift raw material cores or tooling weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Education: High school diploma, GED, or equivalent vocational training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience handling pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) tapes, single- and double-coated foams, or release liners within a converting environment.
• Familiarity with rotary die-cutting interfaces or inline slitting equipment.
• Prior experience working in an ISO 9001 or IATF 16949 certified facility.
• Forklift certification or overhead crane/hoist operation experience for roll handling.

• Weekly pay
• $5 doctor's visit copays
• Free teledoctor service
• Free counseling services
• Life insurance included
• Vision insurance included
• Dental insurance included
• Vacation and holiday pay
• Free legal services
• Our unbeatable employee discount program

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