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Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

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

What you’d do

  • Inspect products to ensure that the quality standards and specifications are met.
  • 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.
  • Start machines, monitor operations, and make adjustments as needed.
  • Adjust machine controls, such as heating mechanisms, tensions, or speeds, to produce specified products.
  • Record information about work completed and machine settings.
  • Notify supervisors of mechanical malfunctions.
  • Inspect machinery to determine whether repairs are needed.
  • Confer with coworkers to obtain information about orders, processes, or problems.

Skills that matter

  • Operations Monitoring
  • Operation and Control
  • Monitoring
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Active Listening
  • Coordination

How to get there

Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

Also called

  • Cutter
  • Cutter Operator
  • Fabric Cutter
  • Spreader
  • Automated Cutting Machine Operator
  • CNC Cutting Operator (Computer Numerical Control Cutting Operator)
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