Career summary

Details for Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders


Description

Set up, operate, or tend machines that knit, loop, weave, or draw in textiles.

Tasks

  • Remove defects in cloth by cutting and pulling out filling.
  • Inspect products to ensure that specifications are met and to determine if machines need adjustment.
  • Observe woven cloth to detect weaving defects.
  • Thread yarn, thread, and fabric through guides, needles, and rollers of machines for weaving, knitting, or other processing.
  • Examine looms to determine causes of loom stoppage, such as warp filling, harness breaks, or mechanical defects.
  • Notify supervisors or repair staff of mechanical malfunctions.
  • Set up, or set up and operate textile machines that perform textile processing and manufacturing operations such as winding, twisting, knitting, weaving, bonding, or stretching.
  • Start machines, monitor operations, and make adjustments as needed.
  • Inspect machinery to determine whether repairs are needed.
  • Record information about work completed and machine settings.
  • Confer with co-workers to obtain information about orders, processes, or problems.
  • Stop machines when specified amounts of product have been produced.
  • Clean, oil, and lubricate machines, using air hoses, cleaning solutions, rags, oil cans, or grease guns.
  • Operate machines for test runs to verify adjustments and to obtain product samples.
  • Wash and blend wool, yarn, or cloth.
  • Program electronic equipment.
  • Study guides, loom patterns, samples, charts, or specification sheets, or confer with supervisors or engineering staff to determine setup requirements.
  • Repair or replace worn or defective needles and other components, using hand tools.
  • Install, level, and align machine components such as gears, chains, guides, dies, cutters, or needles to set up machinery for operation.
  • Adjust machine heating mechanisms, tensions, and speeds to produce specified products.

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.
  • Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

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.

Related careers