Watch clips from "How It's Made" to see how objects like artificial limbs, nails, footballs, mustard, and more are made. Choose a few to watch--which one surprised you most?

Watch how the objects all around us are made.

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut textiles.

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Realistic

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Conventional

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Enterprising

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Investigative

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Artistic

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Social

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

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.

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

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.

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Textile Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Production Occupations

Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers

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

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.

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

Record information about work completed and machine settings.

Notify supervisors of mechanical malfunctions.

Inspect machinery to determine whether repairs are needed.

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

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

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

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

SAP software

Microsoft Office software

HAISEN SoftWare System

Microsoft Word

Autodesk AutoCAD

Microsoft Windows

Band knife cutting machines

Die cutting machines

Ultrasonic cutting machines

Water jet cutting machines

Sergers

Straight stitchers

Fabric scissors

Fabric shears

Measuring tapes

Lubricant guns

Drill presses

Wheeled forkllifts

Precision rulers

Laser cutting machines

Machine oiling cans

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

Every day

Once a week or more but not every day

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

Very important

Continually or almost continually

About half the time

Less than half the time

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

Extremely important

Important

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

Once a month or more but not every week

Never

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

How much does this job require walking or running?

Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Overview

Career

What Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Do

Other Job Titles Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Overview

Career

What Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Do

Other Job Titles Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders