Career summary

Details for Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders


Description

Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut textiles.

Tasks

  • Place patterns on top of layers of fabric and cut fabric following patterns, using electric or manual knives, cutters, or computer numerically controlled cutting devices.
  • Notify supervisors of mechanical malfunctions.
  • Repair or replace worn or defective parts or components, using hand tools.
  • Adjust cutting techniques to types of fabrics and styles of garments.
  • Inspect machinery to determine whether repairs are needed.
  • Adjust machine controls, such as heating mechanisms, tensions, or speeds, to produce specified products.
  • Confer with coworkers to obtain information about orders, processes, or problems.
  • Start machines, monitor operations, and make adjustments as needed.
  • Clean, oil, and lubricate machines, using air hoses, cleaning solutions, rags, oilcans, and grease guns.
  • Record information about work completed and machine settings.
  • Operate machines to cut multiple layers of fabric into parts for articles such as canvas goods, house furnishings, garments, hats, or stuffed toys.
  • Study guides, samples, charts, and specification sheets or confer with supervisors or engineering staff to determine set-up requirements.
  • Operate machines for test runs to verify adjustments and to obtain product samples.
  • Stop machines when specified amounts of product have been produced.
  • Install, level, and align components, such as gears, chains, guides, dies, cutters, or needles, to set up machinery for operation.
  • Program electronic equipment.
  • Thread yarn, thread, or fabric through guides, needles, and rollers of machines.
  • Inspect products to ensure that the quality standards and specifications are met.

Interests

  • Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Education, training, experience

  • Education - These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
  • Training - Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
  • Experience - Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

Knowledge

None found.

Skills

None found.

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