Industrial mechanic millwrights usually work on industrial machinery and mechanical equipment. This equipment may include electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, lubrication, exhaust and cooling systems. Some equipment may be worked on include conveyors, presses, pumps, bearings, generators, hydraulic and or pneumatic controls.

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Millwrights are mostly responsible for installing, assembling, troubleshooting, inspecting, maintenance and repair. Troubleshooting may include diagnosing malfunctions, making adjustments and repairing or replacing parts. Making adjustments and lubricating machinery are very important maintenance tasks of the trade.

Many other tasks performed in this trade may include machining, welding and cutting as required. Blueprint, schematic drawing and manual reading are needed for millwrights in determining work procedures.

Millwrights use a wide variety of tools. They may use hand and power tools in installation and repair work. Larger machine tools such as lathes, milling machines and grinders may be used in fabrication of machining parts. Hoisting and lifting equipment such as forklifts jacks and cranes are common equipment for maintenance.

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Work environment for industrial mechanic millwrights may involve working in comfortable to extreme conditions. Work may be in confined spaces, heights, heavy equipment and around dangerous working parts. This work requires long periods of kneeling, standing and heavy lifting. Millwrights often possess other trade skills such as steamfitter, machinist, welder or industrial electrician.

 

Industry Changes

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With all the industry advancement and changes, more sophisticated equipment will require a higher level of skill and will need to keep up to date with industry changes.

With advanced new plastics and alloy materials, along with many new types of lubricants, sealants and chemicals, along with the use of newer machinery and components, millwrights are going to have to consistently update their knowledge in maintenance and repair.

Diagnostic equipment and acoustic monitoring technology such as vibration analyzers, flow-meters, Borescopes and computerized laser alignment equipment are increasingly used to view and troubleshoot internal components. Millwrights will need to have the operation knowledge of these equipments.

 

Safety

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Safe working practices and accident prevention are the primary importance to the health and safety of all person(s) at any or all work place environments. All person(s) including employee, employer and government, share this responsibility in order to keep everyone free of any dangers or accidents that may cause an individual(s) serious bodily harm or death.

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The Occupational Health and Safety Acts and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Regulations, should be consistently reviewed and enforced in every work place environment. Educating and understanding these regulations is everyone’s responsibility in order to keep a safe work place environment.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) has contributed to a safer work place environment. Health and safety has become a high priority in the workplace due to increased awareness of dangers and the identifications of hazardous materials.

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Practicing health and safety is a tremendous contribution to a safe and accident free work place environment.

 

Job Tasks

• Bearings and gears

• Couplings, clutches and brakes

• Electrical systems

• Hydraulic systems

• Maintains tools and equipment

• Pneumatic and vacuum systems

• Prepares for installation and maintenance of components

• Pumps

• Performs routine tasks

• Rigging, hoisting and lifting equipment

• Uses torches and welding equipment

Tools

• adjustable wrenches

• alignment bars

• Allen keys

• brushes

• calculators

• clamps

• chisels

• drill bits

• files

• grease gun

• hacksaw

• hammer

• hammer, ball peen

• hammer, chipping

• hammer, claw

• hammer, dead blow

• hammer, rubber

• hammer, soft faced

• honing stone

• Levels (carpenter, laser, etc.)

• Power hand tools

• safety equipment(goggles, boots, face shield etc)

 

Skills

• Critical Thinking

• Decision Making

• Numerical

• Oral Communication

• Problem Solving

• Reading Blueprints and schematics

• Writing

• Computer Knowledge

 

General Wages

• Average -   $25.50/hr

• Minimum -  $18.00/hr

• Maximum - $33.00/hr​

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Sample Q&A

 

1. The wiring to a remote potentiometer for a variable frequency drive has been diagnosed as being affected by electromagnetic interference. Which cable is used to replace the existing wiring?

a. category 5E, FT6, 4 pair cable

b. no. 19 AWG copper twisted pair cable

c. no. 16 AWG shielded triad cable

d. no. 14 AWG 75ohm, RG 6 coaxial cable

Ans  C

 

2. The type of bearing that can carry thrust and radial loads is?

a. tapered roller

b. loose needle roller

c. staggered roller

d. cylindrical roller

Ans. A

 

3. The sliding action of a worm gear prevents the speed reducer from?

a. High speed use

b. Multiple reduction

c. forward rotation

d. multi speed use

Ans A

 

4. What is a benefit when using an intercooler in a multi stage compressor?

a. decreases horsepower capacity

b. decreases receiver capacity

c. increases horsepower capacity

d. increases receiver capacity

Ans. A

 

5. In a pneumatic cylinder, mechanical shock can be prevented by?

a. stop blocks

b. cushioning devices

c. compression springs

d. air control valves

Ans. B

 

6. What do you call when precision shells are installed and they will extend past the face of the bearing housing?

a. Clearance

b. Allowance

c. Gap

d. Crush

Ans. D

 

7. When working in dusty areas, pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders require?

a. brass bushings

b. grease caps

c. rod wipers

d. more fluid

Ans. C