A creeler is a worker in the textile manufacturing industry. He or she is in charge of maintaining creeling machines, which twist or wind textiles into yarns or other composite materials. In modern times, much of the process is completed by machines, so the creeler will usually tend to the machines that complete the process, though in the past, this person would do the winding or twisting with hand tools. He or she will keep an eye on the machines’ progress and ensure that they are running smoothly at all times.
A creeler’s job usually does not require any formal education, though those with a high school diploma will have an advantage in the job market. Although most of the skills required for the creeler job can be learned through on-the-job training, basic math and communication skills are usually required. Because a creeler will be on his or her feet for the majority of the work day and will occasionally be required to do heavy lifting, the job falls under the category of manual labor. The creeler is responsible for feeding and drawing materials from the machines, as well as replacing materials when they run out.
A creeler may also be required to repair or maintain the machines, though this is not always the case. It may be as simple as lubricating moving parts or replacing worn parts, but more extensive repairs may be required in some cases. In some cases, a mechanic will be on site to look after all machinery, so creelers won’t have to do any routine maintenance or repairs, though they will have to notify supervisors if a machine shows signs of wear or breakdown. Creelers operate the machines on a daily basis, starting them up cold and shutting them down at the end of the day, making them the best observers of the machine’s effectiveness.
The materials fed into the machine may occasionally need to be wound into bobbins in a specific order. A machine may contain several bobbins, and creelers must ensure that the materials are wound properly into the bobbin in order for the machine to operate efficiently and safely. After the process is complete, the materials wound by the machine must be thoroughly inspected to ensure that the finished product is defect-free; if defects are discovered, machine adjustments may be required.