Will “Spreader” be Automated?

Core Skills & Abilities

• Program electronic equipment.

• 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.

• Study guides, samples, charts, and specification sheets or confer with supervisors or engineering staff to determine set-up requirements.

• Stop machines when specified amounts of product have been produced.

• Operate machines for test runs to verify adjustments and to obtain product samples.

• Inspect machinery to determine whether repairs are needed.

• Inspect products to ensure that the quality standards and specifications are met.

• Adjust machine controls, such as heating mechanisms, tensions, or speeds, to produce specified products.

• Repair or replace worn or defective parts or components, using hand tools.

• Install, level, and align components, such as gears, chains, guides, dies, cutters, or needles, to set up machinery for operation.

• Adjust cutting techniques to types of fabrics and styles of garments.

• Thread yarn, thread, or fabric through guides, needles, and rollers of machines.

• Confer with coworkers to obtain information about orders, processes, or problems.

• Notify supervisors of mechanical malfunctions.

• Clean, oil, and lubricate machines, using air hoses, cleaning solutions, rags, oilcans, and grease guns.

• Record information about work completed and machine settings.

• Operate machines to cut multiple layers of fabric into parts for articles such as canvas goods, house furnishings, garments, hats, or stuffed toys.