Profession absorbent pad machine operator

Absorbent pad machine operators tend a machine that takes in cellulose fibres and compresses them to a highly absorbent pad material for use in hygienic products such as diapers and tampons.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Conventional

Knowledge

• Adhesives

  The categories, production and the chemical components of adhesives such as non-reactice adhesives (drying adhesives, pressure-sensitive adhesives, contact adhesives and hot adhesives) and reactive adhesives (multi-part adhesives, one-part adhesives).

• Types of polymers

  There are two kinds of absorbent pad polymers. In the first, the polymer is injected into the same feedstock that supplies the cellulose fibres, which disperses the polymer evenly throughout the whole product. The second method applies absorbent material to the surface of the pad after its formation.

• Quality standards

  The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.

Skills

• Manufacture nonwoven staple products

  Perform the operation, monitoring and maintenance of machines and processes to manufacture nonwoven staple products, keeping efficiency and productivity at high levels.

• Set up the controller of a machine

  Set up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.

• Monitor automated machines

  Continuously check up on the automated machine's set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.

• Troubleshoot

  Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.

• Perform test run

  Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.

• Work safely with machines

  Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.

• Supply machine

  Ensure the machine is fed the necessary and adequate materials and control the placement or automatic feed and retrieval of work pieces in the machines or machine tools on the production line.

• Monitor conveyor belt

  Monitor the flow of the work pieces on the conveyor belt as they are processed by the machine to ensure optimal productivity.

• Wear appropriate protective gear

  Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB