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, and/or speeds to produce specified products.
  • Inspect products to ensure that specifications are met and to determine whether machines require adjustment.
  • 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 setup 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, and/or needles to set up machinery for operation.
  • Program electronic equipment.
  • Thread yarn, thread, or fabric through guides, needles, and rollers of machines.

Knowledge

English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Skills

Operation Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Abilities

Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Reaction Time
The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
Visualization
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Control Precision
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Multilimb Coordination
The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Manual Dexterity
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Work Activities

Handling and Moving Objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Controlling Machines and Processes
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Performing General Physical Activities
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Work Context

Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
Frequency of Decision Making
How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?

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.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Work Style

Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Work Values

Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Recognition
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Lay Titles

Automatic Die Cutting Machine Operator
Automatic Label Cutting and Folding Machine Operator
Band and Cuff Cutter
Band Cutter
Band Saw Operator
Barrel Drum Cutter
Bedspread Cutter
Bias Cutting Machine Operator
Binding Cutter
Blanket Cutting Machine Operator
Bolt Cutter
Canvas Cutter
Carpet Cutter
Chin Strap Cutter
Chopped Strand Operator
Cleaner and Trimmer
Clipper
Cloth Cutter
CNC Cutting Operator (Computer Numerical Control Cutting Operator)
Continuous Pillowcase Cutter
Corduroy Cutter Operator
Cropper
Cuff Cutter
Curtain Cutter
Cutter
Cutter Operator
Cutting Machine Fixer
Die Cut Operator
Die Cutter
Die Cutting Machine Operator
Drapery Cutter
Electric Cutter Operator
Electric Knife Operator
Embroidery Cutter
Fabric Cutter
Fabrics and Material Cutter
Felt Cutter
Felt Cutting Machine Operator
Fur Cutting Machine Operator
Glove Cutter
Hat Cutter
Knife Cutter
Label Pinker
Lace Cutter
Laser Operator
Leather Cutter
Lining Cutter
Machine Cloth Trimmer
Machine Operator
Machine Scallop Cutter
Machine Trimmer
Manufacturing Assistant
Manufacturing Associate
Manufacturing Operator
Mechanic
Metallic Yarn Slitting Machine Operator
Perforating Machine Operator
Pillowcase Cutter
Pinking Machine Operator
Plush Cutter
Press Operator
Rag Cutter
Rag Cutting Machine Operator
Rag Shredder
Rib Cutter
Rotary Cutter
Rotary Cutter Operator
Rounding Machine Operator
Rug Cutter
Scallop Binder
Scallop Cutter
Scalloper
Section Cutter
Shear Grinder Operator
Shear Tender

National Wages and Employment Info

Median Wages (2008):
$11.56 hourly, $24,050 annual.
Employment (2008):
15,620 employees