What Do CNC Cutting Operators Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

CNC Cutting Operators set up, operate, or tend machines that cut textiles. They also thread yarn, thread, or fabric through guides, needles, and rollers of machines.

Other tasks include:

• Operate machines to cut multiple layers of fabric into parts for articles such as canvas goods, house furnishings, garments, hats, or stuffed toys.
• Inspect products to ensure that the quality standards and specifications are met.
• Adjust cutting techniques to types of fabrics and styles of garments.
• 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.
• Program electronic equipment.
• Study guides, samples, charts, and specification sheets or confer with supervisors or engineering staff to determine set-up requirements.

We asked CNC Cutting Operators how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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61% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, CNC Cutting Operators inspect machinery to determine whether repairs are needed. They adjust machine controls, such as heating mechanisms, tensions, or speeds, to produce specified products.

A typical day for a Textile Cutting Machine Setter, Operator and Tender will also include:

• Confer with coworkers to obtain information about orders, processes, or problems.
• Stop machines when specified amounts of product have been produced.
• Adjust cutting techniques to types of fabrics and styles of garments.
• Study guides, samples, charts, and specification sheets or confer with supervisors or engineering staff to determine set-up requirements.
• 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.

We asked some CNC Cutting Operators a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	22% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	36% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	38% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	14% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	14% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	55% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, CNC Cutting Operators also operate machines for test runs to verify adjustments and to obtain product samples. They may also program electronic equipment.

On a weekly to monthly basis, CNC Cutting Operators Repair or replace worn or defective parts or components, using hand tools. They might also Notify supervisors of mechanical malfunctions.

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

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Adjust cutting techniques to types of fabrics and styles of garments.

To some CNC Cutting Operators, it is also their responsibility to Clean, oil, and lubricate machines, using air hoses, cleaning solutions, rags, oilcans, and grease guns.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Textile Cutting Machine Setter, Operator and Tender, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

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