A professional who sets up and operates closed-die drophammer to forge metal parts according to specifications, using measuring instruments and handtools. Respnsibilities include:

• Informs heater of forging specifications, such as specified quantity and temperature setting.
• Aligns and bolts specified dies to machine ram and anvil, using scale, rule, square, feeler gauges, shims, and handtools.
• Positions workpiece onto lower die and depresses pedal to activate ram that repeatedly strikes and forces metal workpiece into die impression.
• Moves workpiece through series of dies to attain specified detail.
• May plan work procedures, select tooling, and operate drophammer to form experimental or developmental parts.
• May turn knobs to regulate conveyor speed and feed that automatically carries heated stock from furnace, places stock on anvil, and removes finished workpiece.
• May forge unheated metal.
• May set stops or turn handles to set specified striking force of ram.
• May trim flash from finished forging.
• May operate hammer to compress finished forgings to specified tolerances and be designated Restrike Hammer Operator.
• May be designated according to type of hammer operated as board drop hammer operator; impact hammer operator; steam hammer operator.