Braiding machine operator

Braiding machine operators supervise the braiding process of a group of machines, monitoring fabric quality and braiding conditions. They inspect braiding machines after set up, start up, and during production to ensure the product being braided is meeting specs and quality standards.

The duties of a braiding machine operator include, but are not limited to:

• Setting up bobbins on braid machine
• Operating braider
• Improving process

The following job titles also refer to braiding machine operator:

textile braiders
textile braiding supervisor
textile braiding foreman
textile braiding foreperson
textile braider
textile braiding forewoman

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as a braiding machine operator.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Braiding machine operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to braiding machine operator.

braiding textile technician
weaving machine supervisor
tufting operator
yarn spinner
knitting machine supervisor

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of braiding machine operator. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of braiding machine operator with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

textile chemical quality technician
textile quality technician
textile sourcing merchandiser
textile process controller
textile operations manager

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of braiding machine operator.

• Textile technologies: Textile technologies to design, manufacture and evaluate the properties of textiles.
• Braiding technology: Development, manufacturing requirements, properties and evaluation of braided fabrics.
• Manufacturing industrial braids: The production processes involved in the manufacturing of industrial ropes such as cordages, rigging ropes, twines, and nets. The manufacturing conditions for resistant and high quality products given their intended heavy use.
• Textile techniques: Have a thorough understanding of textile processing techniques.

These skills are necessary for the role of braiding machine operator.

• Use weft preparation technologies: Prepare bobbins to be used in textile processing.
• Control textile process: Plan and monitor textile production to achieve control on behalf of quality, productivity and delivery time.
• Monitor textile manufacturing developments: Keep up to date with recent developments in textile manufacturing and processing techniques and technologies.
• Measure yarn count: Be able to measure yarn length and mass to assess fineness of roving, sliver and yarn in different measuring systems.Also able to convert into the various numbering system such as tex, Nm, Ne, denier, etc.
• Maintain work standards: Maintaining standards of work in order to improve and acquire new skills and work methods.
• Manufacture braided products: Perform the operation, monitoring and maintenance of machines and processes to manufacture braided products while keeping efficiency and productivity at high levels.
• Manufacture ornamental braided cord: Produce ornamental braided cords and ropes for products such as historical uniforms and traditional costumes.
• Evaluate textile characteristics: Evaluate textiles and their properties in order to manufacture products in conformity with specifications.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of braiding machine operator. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Knitting machine technology: Manufacturing technologies which use loop forming techniques to convert yarns into fabrics in order to form knitted fabrics.
• Textile materials: Have a good understanding of the properties of different textile materials.
• Properties of fabrics: The influence of chemical composition and molecular arrangement of yarn and fibre properties and fabric structure on the physical properties of textile fabrics; the different fibre types, their physical and chemical characteristics and different material characteristics; the materials used in different processes and the effect on materials as they are processed. 

8159 – Textile, fur and leather products machine operators not elsewhere classified

---

References

1. Braiding machine operator – ESCO