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. Includes slubber machine and drawing frame operators.

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, and/or uniformity of yarn.
  • Replace depleted supply packages with full packages.
  • Observe operations to detect defects, malfunctions, or supply shortages.
  • Thread yarn, thread, and/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, and/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.

Knowledge

Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Skills

Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.

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.
Finger Dexterity
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Reaction Time
The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
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.
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.
Extent Flexibility
The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
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.

Work Context

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?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
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?
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
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?
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

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.
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.
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.
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

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.
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.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

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.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
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.
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

Air Twist Operator
Air Twister Winder
Automatic Beam Warper Tender
Automatic Quilling Machine Operator
Automatic Thread Winder
Automatic Winder Operator
Axminster Rug Setter
Back Winder
Backwinder
Ball Fringe Machine Operator
Ball Warper Tender
Ball Winder
Baller
Balling Head Tender
Balling Machine Operator
Bandage Winding Machine Operator
Batting Machine Operator
Beam Warper
Beamer
Beamer Hand
Beamer Operator
Beaming Machine Operator
Blocker
Board Winder
Bobbin Doffer
Bobbin Winder
Bonding Machine Setter
Box Tender
Braid Pattern Setter
Brownell Operator
Calender Wind Up Tender
Carding Machine Operator
Carding Utility Tender
Carpet Yarn Winder Operator
Cloth Doubling and Winding Machine Operator
Cloth Doubling Machine Operator
Cloth Reeler
Cloth Winder
Cloth Winder Machine Operator
Coiler
Comb Winder
Comber
Combination Machine Tender
Computer Integrated Manufacturing Operator (CIM Operator)
Cone Machine Operator
Cone Winder
Coner
Coning Machine Operator
Cop Winder
Copper
Copping Machine Operator
Core Winder
Covering Machine Operator
Creel Hand
Creel Operator
Creeler
Doubler Operator
Doubling Machine Operator
Draw Frame Operator
Draw Frame Runner
Draw Frame Tender
Draw Machine Operator
Draw Tender
Drawer
Drawer In
Drawing Box Tender
Drawing Frame Tender
Drawing Machine Operator
Drawing Operator
Drawing Tender
Dresser Tender
Fiberglass Roving Winder
Finisher Card Tender
Fishing Line Winding Machine Operator
Fly Frame Tender

National Wages and Employment Info

Median Wages (2008):
$12.43 hourly, $25,850 annual.
Employment (2008):
27,440 employees