Weaving machine operator

Weaving machine operators set up, operate and monitor weaving machines .They work with specialised machinery, techniques and materials to process threads of yarn into weaved products such as clothing, home-tex or technical end products. They maintain and repair weaving machinery and ensure operations run without problems.

The following job titles also refer to weaving machine operator:

weaving loom operator
weaving tender
weaver apprentice
weaving machinist

A high school diploma is generally the minimum required to work as a weaving 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.

Weaving machine operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

weaver
tufting operator
weaving machine supervisor
nonwoven staple machine operator
knitter

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

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

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

• Health and safety in the textile industry: The requirements, rules and applications of health and safety measures in the textile industry.
• Textile products, textile semi-finished products and raw materials: The offered textile products, textile semi-finished products and raw materials, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
• Types of textile fibres: The variety of textile fibres both natural such as wool and hemp and man-made or synthetic fibers.

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

• Manufacture textile floor coverings: Produce textile floor coverings by tending machines, sewing parts, and applying finishing touches to products such as carpets, rugs, and made up textile floor covering articles.
• Control textile process: Planning and monitoring textile production to achieve control on behalf of quality, productivity and delivery time.
• Maintain work standards: Maintaining standards of work in order to improve and acquire new skills and work methods.
• Manufacture woven fabrics: Perform the operation, monitoring and maintenance of machines and processes to manufacture woven fabrics.
• Tend weaving machines: Operate weaving machines keeping efficiency and productivity at high levels.
• Use weaving machine technologies: Operate machines that enable weaving processes turning threads into fabrics. Setup weaving machine programmes for the machine to produce fabrics with the adequate pattern, colour and fabric density.
• Work in textile manufacturing teams: Work harmoniously with colleagues in teams in the textile and clothing manufacturing industries.
• 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 weaving machine operator. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Textile industry machinery products: The offered textile industry machinery products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
• Textile materials: Have a good understanding of the properties of different textile materials.
• Textile industry: Major textile manufacturers on the market of various brands and materials.
• Textile technologies: Textile technologies to design, manufacture and evaluate the properties of textiles.
• Textile measurement: Textile measurement units, such as mommes, thread count (the degree of coarseness of a fabric), picks per inch (PPI) and ends per inch (EPI).
• 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. 
• Textile techniques: Have a thorough understanding of textile processing techniques.
• Electrical machines: Electrical apparatus that are able to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy (generators), electrical energy to mechanical energy (motors), and change the voltage level of an AC or alternating current (transformers).

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

• Arrange equipment repairs: Arrange for equipment repairs when necessary.
• Maintain machinery: Maintain machinery and equipment in order to ensure that it is clean and in safe, working order. Perform routine maintenance on equipment and adjust or repair when necessary, using hand and power tools. Replace defective parts components or systems.
• Produce textile samples: Make up textile samples or have them fabricated by specialised workers or technicians.
• Produce textile designs: Draw sketches for textile design, by hand or on computer, using specialist Computer Aided Design (CAD) software.
• Sort textile items: Sort garments and other textiles to be pressed and ironed or for customer pick-up.
• Maintain technical equipment: Maintain an inventory of cultivation equipment and supplies. Order additional materials as needed.
• Check quality of products in textile production line: Check characteristics of textile products like yarns, woven, knitted, braided, tufted or nonwoven textiles, finished cloths, ready-make-garments and determine the product quality along different stages of the textile or clothing production line.

8152 – Weaving and knitting machine operators

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References

1. Weaving machine operator – ESCO