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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Determine job requirements
   • Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs)
   • Comply with work health and safety (WHS) requirements at all times
   • Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with SOPs
   • Identify job requirements from specifications, drawings, job sheets or work instructions
2. Prepare to set up, adjust and maintain industrial sewing machines
   • Interpret machine manufacturer specifications and work description from operator to determine optimum sewing machine settings for product and operator
   • Select, prepare and use tools appropriate for the machine and task to set up machine for operation
   • Set up machine according to required specifications, including fixing of required attachments and operating run at optimum quality and efficiency levels
   • Thread and check needles and set tension for planned sewing operations
   • Check lubrication prior to operation and instruct sewing machine operators of any special operating requirements
3. Test industrial sewing machine settings
   • Operate sewing machine in accordance with manufacturer and workplace instructions to test settings against specifications and operational standards
   • Examine sewn product or sample to confirm desired sewing motion and stitch is achieved, and identify any adjustments needed to machine settings
   • Identify and document adjustments and adjust machine settings accordingly
4. Diagnose industrial sewing problems
   • Monitor industrial sewing machine operation to ensure it is efficient, safe and complies with workplace procedures
   • Communicate with operator and assess sewn product to identify the nature and extent of sewing faults
   • Analyse problems and faults to determine root cause and determine strategy for repair
5. Fix machine and communicate outcomes
   • Readjust settings, repair or replace faulty machine parts and return sewing machine to optimal performance
   • Test sewing machine and produce sample to ensure problems have been fixed
   • Maintain records and prepare reports, where necessary
   • Document adjustments to machines and patterns and communicate to appropriate personnel
   • Document operational instructions

Range Statement

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.
Workplace procedures include one or more of the following:	requirements prescribed by legislation, awards, agreements and conditions of employment SOPs work instructions PPE oral, written and visual communication quality practices, including responsibility for maintenance of own work quality and contribution to quality improvement of team or section output housekeeping tasks related to environmental protection, waste disposal, pollution control and recycling WHS practices
Australian Standards include:	the relevant industry or Australian Standards that are current at the time this unit is being undertaken
Industrial sewing machines include one or more of the following:	lockstitch and chain stitch table mounted machines with power being from a motor mounted under the table and connected to the sewing machine by a pulley overlock table mounted sewing machines and sergers with power being from a motor mounted under the table and connected to the sewing machine by a pulley high volume automatic and manually operated hem, selvedge and embroidery sewing machines
Machine settings for sewing machine include one or more of the following:	gaps tolerances clearances tension needle speed and timing direction other settings depending on the industrial sewing machine settings depending on the machine model and function and production requirements
Faults in sewing include one or more of the following:	contamination incorrect thread tension mechanical breakdown electrical or electronic fault poor feeding and threading of needles dirty or oily marks on thread or fabric incorrect stitch thread, lint or debris in rotary hook, bobbin case, needleplate and feed dog, motor and oil reservoir puckering thread breakages uneven thread delivery including loop stitches and slip stitches poor lubrication and cooling resulting in needle overheating and fabric burn
Repairs in sewing include one or more of the following:	correcting threading faults tensioning removal and replacement of faulty or worn parts setting of clearances, limits and fits re-setting or re-programming of controls and sensors repair or replacement of pneumatic or hydraulic components

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Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include:

reading and following work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), safe work practices, machine manufacturer specifications

applying relevant standards

interpreting production specifications accurately

setting up industrial sewing machine with required equipment and attachments, and operating safely and correctly according to specifications

monitoring industrial sewing machine operation to ensure it is efficient, safe and complies with workplace procedures

performing at least four (4) sample runs of all stitching operations required for an identified garment, range or product and analysing results

determining root cause and determining strategy for repair of sewing faults

identifying and making appropriate readjustments

maintaining records and preparing reports, where necessary

documenting adjustments to machines and patterns and communicating to appropriate personnel

documenting operational instructions.

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Knowledge Evidence

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:

safe work practices and procedures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

relevant Australian Standards

sewing methods and the various types of sewing operations, stitches, fabrics and knit effects

threads

pattern specifications

factors affecting machine performance, including thread strength, dust and other contaminants, lubrication, needle condition, operator skill and ambient conditions

industrial sewing machines:

lockstitch and chain stitch table mounted machines with power being from a motor mounted under the table and connected to the sewing machine by a pulley

overlock table mounted sewing machines and sergers with power being from a motor mounted under the table and connected to the sewing machine by a pulley

high volume automatic and manually operated hem, selvedge and embroidery sewing machines

machine manufacturer specifications and adjustment methods

work health and safety (WHS) and environmental aspects of relevant enterprise activities

quality practices

workplace procedures

recording and reporting practices.

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