Machine tending is a job that entails overseeing the operation and performance of a piece of machinery or equipment. A machine tender is typically in charge of not only operating the assigned machinery, but also of handling the day-to-day tasks associated with keeping the equipment in good working order. The precise scope of responsibilities will often be determined by the type of equipment being used and the structure of the work environment in which the machine tender is employed.
A machine tender’s responsibilities usually extend beyond those of a machine operator. Machine operators, for the most part, are in charge of tasks that are directly related to the actual production of goods associated with the machine. A machine tender, on the other hand, will not only operate the machinery but will also perform tasks that will help manage the equipment’s upkeep and promote efficient production. Those responsibilities are usually outlined in the job description and do not include dealing with technical issues that would necessitate advanced machine repair training.
Simple maintenance tasks, such as cleaning the machine’s components in between tasks, may be part of a machine tender’s responsibilities. A machine tender in a textile plant, for example, might be in charge of cleaning spinning or warping frames after one lot of yarn is finished but before another lot of yarn of a different color or merge is loaded onto the frames. This task reduces the risk of contamination, which would lower the quality of the goods produced later in the cycle with that second lot of yarn. A tender in an electronics plant, for example, might be tasked with removing any metal or plastic residue from the machinery at regular intervals throughout the work shift, reducing the risk of that residue affecting the quality of the goods produced.
While a machine tender is not usually required to perform in-depth equipment repairs, the maintenance tasks that are completed according to the employer’s specific standards are critical. The useful life of the machinery is extended and the quality and quantity of output are kept within acceptable ranges by making sure the equipment is properly lubricated or kept relatively clean of any contaminants. A new machine tender will usually be mentored or trained by an experienced tender before being given his or her own machinery to operate and maintain according to company standards.