Career summary

Details for Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders


Description

Set up, operate, or tend machines that wind or twist textiles; or draw out and combine sliver, such as wool, hemp, or synthetic fibers.

Tasks

  • Notify supervisors or mechanics of equipment malfunctions.
  • Start machines, monitor operation, and make adjustments as needed.
  • Tend machines with multiple winding units that wind thread onto shuttle bobbins for use on sewing machines or other kinds of bobbins for sole-stitching, knitting, or weaving machinery.
  • Inspect products to verify that they meet specifications and to determine whether machine adjustment is needed.
  • Tend machines that twist together two or more strands of yarn or insert additional twists into single strands of yarn to increase strength, smoothness, or uniformity of yarn.
  • Replace depleted supply packages with full packages.
  • Observe operations to detect defects, malfunctions, or supply shortages.
  • Thread yarn, thread, or fabric through guides, needles, and rollers of machines.
  • Operate machines for test runs to verify adjustments and to obtain product samples.
  • Inspect machinery to determine whether repairs are needed.
  • Place bobbins on spindles and insert spindles into bobbin-winding machines.
  • Tend machines that wind wire onto bobbins, preparatory to formation of wire netting used in reinforcing sheet glass.
  • Record production data such as numbers and types of bobbins wound.
  • Stop machines when specified amount of products has been produced.
  • Study guides, samples, charts, and specification sheets, or confer with supervisors or engineering staff to determine setup requirements.
  • Measure bobbins periodically, using gauges, and turn screws to adjust tension if bobbins are not of specified size.
  • Install, level, and align machine components such as gears, chains, guides, dies, cutters, or needles to set up machinery for operation.
  • Tend spinning frames that draw out and twist roving or sliver into yarn.
  • Unwind lengths of yarn, thread, or twine from spools and wind onto bobbins.
  • Observe bobbins as they are winding and cut threads to remove loaded bobbins, using knives.
  • Adjust machine settings such as speed or tension to produce products that meet specifications.
  • Clean, oil, and lubricate machines, using air hoses, cleaning solutions, rags, oilcans, and grease guns.
  • Remove spindles from machines and bobbins from spindles.
  • Repair or replace worn or defective parts or components, using hand tools.

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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