Spinning machine operator

Spinning machine operators produce yarns, twists, and other fibres by tending spinning, twisting, winding, and reeling machines. They handle raw materials, prepare them for spinning processes, and use machinery for the purpose. They also perform routine maintenance of the machinery.

The following job titles also refer to spinning machine operator:

textile machine operator, spinner
textile machine tender, spinner
spinner
yarn carding and spinning machine operator
spinning machine tender
operator of spinning machine

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as spinning machine operator. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

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.

Spinning machine operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

yarn spinner
spinning textile technician
winding machine operator
man-made fiber spinner
twisting machine operator

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of spinning 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 spinning machine operator with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

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

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

• Types of thread: Types of thread, such as unified thread, metric thread, square thread, ACME thread, buttress thread and their qualities and applications. 

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

• Monitor machine operations: Observing machine operations and evaluating product quality thereby ensuring conformity to standards.
• Resolve equipment malfunctions: Identify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions. Communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.
• Supply machine with appropriate tools: Supply the machine with the necessary tools and items for a particular production purpose. Monitor the stock and replenish when needed.
• Remove defective products: Remove defective materials from the production line.
• 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.
• Collect samples for analysis: Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
• Adjust filament tension: Adjust the tension of the filament to be wound. Make sure the filament is not so lax as to produce unevenness in the workpiece, or so tight as to introduces deformations in the filament or lower the filament ratio to unacceptably low levels.
• Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
• Maintain work standards: Maintaining standards of work in order to improve and acquire new skills and work methods.
• Ensure health and safety in manufacturing: Ensure health and safety of personnel during manufacturing process.
• Manufacture staple yarns: Perform the operation, monitoring and maintenance of machines and processes to manufacture staple fiber yarns.
• Set up machine controls: Set up or adjust machine controls to regulate conditions such as material flow, temperature, or pressure.
• Tend spinning machines: Operate spinning machines keeping efficiency and productivity at high levels.
• Set the operation speed of manufacturing machines: Define the adequate speed at which a manufacturing machine should operate in order to provide the required output in manufacturing processes.
• Cut filament: After the filament workpiece has been wound, cut the filament to release the workpiece.

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

• Textile technologies: Textile technologies to design, manufacture and evaluate the properties of textiles.
• Staple spinning machine technology: Technologies, operations, monitoring and maintenance of machines during the yarn spinning process.
• Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of spinning machine operator. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Wrap yarn around bobbins: Perform wrapping of yarns around bobbins or spools by using adequate equipment for the process.
• Finish processing of man-made fibres: Completing the processing operation of man-made fibres and ensuring that the product is made according to customer specification
• Convert textile fibres into sliver: Convert textile fibres into drafting sliver by working in the fibre opening, carding and drafting process.
• Test physical properties of textiles: Evaluate the physical properties of textiles by using testing methods, normally in accordance with a standard. It includes fibre identification and trouble shooting.
• Process man-made fibres: Converting synthetic granule into man-made-fibres such as filament yarns or staple fibre yarns.
• Covert slivers into thread: Convert slivers into yarns or threads by combing processes converting drafting card sliver to combed sliver. Form short fibre to yarn using yarn and thread processing technologies, mostly ring spinning or open-end spinning (rotor spinning) or alternative spinning techniques. Work in the drafting or drawing process converting sliver into roving and converting roving into yarn, through further drafting and twisting processes. Work on winding machines to reel the yarn from bobbins onto spools or cones.
• Use precision tools: Use electronic, mechanical, electric, or optical precision tools, such as drilling machines, grinders, gear cutters and milling machines to boost accuracy while machining products.
• Work in textile manufacturing teams: Work harmoniously with colleagues in teams in the textile and clothing manufacturing industries.
• Conduct textile testing operations: Prepare for textile testing and evaluation, gathering the test samples, conducting and recording tests, validating data and presenting results.
• Evaluate textile characteristics: Evaluate textiles and their properties in order to manufacture products in conformity with specifications.

8151 – Fibre preparing, spinning and winding machine operators

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References

1. Spinning machine operator – ESCO