Mechanic

MAIN JOB RESPONSIBILITIES/ DUTIES

· Perform mechanical maintenance, repairs, adjustments, and troubleshooting on tufting machines and associated production equipment.

· Maintain tufting machines to ensure reliable operation and consistent production.

· Inspect machines regularly for signs of wear, damage, improper adjustment, vibration, unusual noise, overheating, or other abnormal conditions.

· Diagnose mechanical problems and determine the appropriate corrective action.

· Adjust, repair, replace, or align machine components as required.

· Maintain machine components including, but not limited to:

o Needles

o Loopers

o Knives

o Needle bars

o Gauge parts

o Cam systems

o Drive components

o Belts

o Chains

o Bearings

o Gears

o Shafts

o Pulleys

o Tension components

o Yarn-feed components

o Backing-feed components

o Pneumatic components

o Lubrication systems

· Maintain proper machine timing and alignment.

· Inspect and adjust moving components to ensure proper clearances and operating conditions.

· Replace worn or damaged parts before they result in equipment failure or significant production loss.

· Verify machine operation following repairs and adjustments.

Machine Setup and Changeovers

· Assist with machine setup for new products and production runs.

· Perform mechanical adjustments required for product changes.

· Assist operators and supervisors with machine changeovers.

· Install and adjust appropriate machine components for different product constructions.

· Set and verify machine components according to production specifications.

· Adjust machine settings and mechanical components to achieve required pile height, stitch rate, gauge, pattern, and other product specifications as applicable.

· Verify machine timing and mechanical alignment after changeovers.

· Troubleshoot startup problems following machine changes.

· Ensure machines are properly prepared before returning them to production.

Troubleshooting and Breakdown Repair

· Respond promptly to production calls involving equipment failures or operating problems.

· Diagnose the source of mechanical problems efficiently and accurately.

· Determine whether equipment problems are mechanical, pneumatic, electrical, controls-related, or related to machine setup.

· Perform authorized repairs and adjustments.

· Replace defective or worn components.

· Repair or adjust mechanical drive systems and moving components.

· Troubleshoot recurring machine problems and identify root causes.

· Avoid temporary repairs when a permanent corrective action is appropriate.

· Test equipment following repairs to verify safe and proper operation.

· Communicate equipment status and repair requirements to production supervision.

· Document significant repairs, recurring failures, and parts used.

Preventive Maintenance

· Perform scheduled preventive maintenance on assigned tufting equipment.

· Follow established preventive-maintenance schedules and procedures.

· Inspect, clean, lubricate, adjust, and replace components according to maintenance requirements.

· Check bearings, belts, chains, gears, shafts, cams, drive systems, and other mechanical components.

· Inspect machine alignment and timing.

· Check lubrication systems and maintain proper lubrication levels.

· Identify components showing excessive wear before failure occurs.

· Complete preventive-maintenance records accurately.

· Recommend maintenance intervals or corrective actions when recurring problems are identified.

· Maintain equipment in accordance with manufacturer and company requirements.

Quality Support

· Understand how mechanical condition and machine adjustments affect finished carpet quality.

· Assist production personnel in correcting mechanical conditions that cause product defects.

· Investigate quality problems that may be related to tufting equipment.

· Troubleshoot defects such as:

o Missing stitches

o Yarn breaks

o Uneven pile

o Incorrect pile height

o Pattern irregularities

o Needle or looper problems

o Streaks

o Lines

o Backing-feed problems

o Improper tuft formation

o Machine-related pattern variation

· Make appropriate mechanical adjustments to help restore product quality.

· Work with Quality and Production personnel when recurring defects are identified.

· Verify machine performance after repairs or adjustments.

Yarn and Tufting System Support

· Troubleshoot mechanical causes of yarn-feed problems and recurring yarn breaks.

· Inspect yarn-feed components for wear, damage, contamination, or improper adjustment.

· Inspect and adjust components that affect yarn delivery and tension.

· Check needle and looper operation when yarn insertion or tuft formation problems occur.

· Inspect gauge parts and related components for proper condition.

· Assist operators with recurring mechanical issues affecting yarn flow or tuft formation.

· Replace worn components that may contribute to yarn breaks or quality defects.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS/ SKILLS

· High School diploma or equivalent

· Excellent attendance is required

· Good computer skills

· Strong communication skills

· Previous experience as a tufting mechanic.

· Previous experience in carpet or textile manufacturing.

· Experience maintaining tufting machines.

· Experience with high-speed textile machinery.

· Mechanical maintenance experience in an industrial manufacturing environment.

· Experience with needle, looper, knife, gauge, cam, and timing adjustments.

· Experience with pneumatic systems.

· Experience with machine changeovers and product setups.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

· Stand and walk for extended periods.

· Frequently bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, and reach.

· Work in awkward positions while accessing machine components.

· Reach above, below, and around machinery.

· Use hands and fingers for precision mechanical work.

· Frequently use hand and power tools.

· Lift, carry, push, and pull tools, parts, and equipment within established safety limits.

· Climb ladders or access elevated portions of machinery when required and properly trained.

· Work in confined or restricted areas where applicable.

· Perform repetitive movements.

· Maintain sufficient visual and physical coordination to safely perform mechanical repairs.

· Wear required PPE for the duration of work.

· Lift 75-100 lbs occasionall