Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders operate or tend machines to bleach, shrink, wash, dye, or finish textiles or synthetic or glass fibers.

  • Add dyes, water, detergents, or chemicals to tanks to dilute or strengthen solutions, according to established formulas and solution test results.
  • Notify supervisors or mechanics of equipment malfunctions.
  • Adjust equipment controls to maintain specified heat, tension, and speed.
  • Observe display screens, control panels, equipment, and cloth entering or exiting processes to determine if equipment is operating correctly.
  • Prepare dyeing machines for production runs, and conduct test runs of machines to ensure their proper operation.
  • Monitor factors such as temperatures and dye flow rates to ensure that they are within specified ranges.
  • Start and control machines and equipment to wash, bleach, dye, or otherwise process and finish fabric, yarn, thread, or other textile goods.
  • Examine and feel products to identify defects and variations from coloring and other processing standards.
  • Record production information such as fabric yardage processed, temperature readings, fabric tensions, and machine speeds.
  • Test solutions used to process textile goods to detect variations from standards.
  • Remove dyed articles from tanks and machines for drying and further processing.
  • Study guides, charts, and specification sheets, and confer with supervisors to determine machine setup requirements.
  • Confer with coworkers to get information about order details, processing plans, or problems that occur.
  • Inspect machinery to determine necessary adjustments and repairs.
  • Weigh ingredients to be mixed together for use in textile processing.
  • Sew ends of cloth together, by hand or using machines, to form endless lengths of cloth to facilitate processing.
  • Key in processing instructions to program electronic equipment.
  • Soak specified textile products for designated times.
  • Thread ends of cloth or twine through specified sections of equipment prior to processing.
  • Mount rolls of cloth on machines, using hoists, or place textile goods in machines or pieces of equipment.
  • Perform machine maintenance, such as cleaning and oiling equipment, and repair or replace worn or defective parts.
  • Ravel seams that connect cloth ends when processing is completed.
  • Install, level, and align components such as gears, chains, dies, cutters, and needles.
  • Creel machines with bobbins or twine.
Work Context

Work Context information for this career will be available soon.

Work Activities
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Apply solutions to production equipment.
  • Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
  • Operate garment treatment equipment.
  • Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
  • Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
  • Conduct test runs of production equipment.
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Knowledge

Production and Processing
  • Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Chemistry
  • Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Public Safety and Security
  • Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Skills

Operation Monitoring
  • Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control
  • Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Quality Control Analysis
  • Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
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Abilities

Control Precision
  • The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Arm-Hand Steadiness
  • The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Operating system software
  • Linux Hot Technology
Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology
Office suite software
  • Microsoft Office Hot Technology
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