Millwright Jobs: Types & Roles

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Millwrights build, install, and repair heavy equipment and machinery. They work in machine shops, heavy equipment manufacturers, construction companies, and city government organizations. They use their knowledge of design, physics, and electricity to test equipment and diagnose problems. To become a millwright, individuals must complete several years of on-the-job training as apprentices.

Millwrights are men and women who build, install, and repair heavy equipment and used machinery in many different configurations. Professionals in millwright careers use their knowledge of design, physics, and electricity to work on large drills, power generators, construction equipment, and many other types of machinery. Most millwright careers can be found in machine shops, heavy equipment manufacturers, construction companies, and city government organizations.

A Millwright who works in a workshop that specializes in assembling machinery and equipment. He or she works closely with machinists and mechanical engineers to ensure that machines are built exactly to specification. As many modern machines rely on computers and automated parts, professionals must understand the principles of electricity, physics and computer science to get the job done. Millwrights often test equipment before it is shipped to ensure it functions correctly and safely. Any problems they notice are reported to supervisors and ultimately to engineers, who can analyze design flaws and prescribe the appropriate course of action.

Many millwright careers are found in companies that specialize in installing new equipment on construction sites or in factories. Professionals often visit a factory or proposed construction site to decide on the appropriate location to set up a new machine and determine what tools will be needed to complete a job. Under the supervision of a lead mill, a team of builders lays a foundation, unloads parts and equipment, and moves heavy parts to site using winches, cranes, and hydraulic lifts. They follow blueprints to ensure a machine is assembled and installed correctly, and often perform several test runs before declaring a job complete.

A qualified and experienced engineer can specialize in the maintenance and repair of existing equipment. He or she may make regular rounds at a machinist or factory plant to perform preventative maintenance on machines, such as lubricating gears and cleaning excess dirt and grease. If a machine stops working, the millwright will carefully inspect it, diagnose the problem, make necessary repairs and replace any broken parts.

To obtain most millwright careers, individuals must possess high school diplomas and complete several years of on-the-job training as apprentices. Most internships take four to five years to complete and include practical training and some classroom study. During training, a new millwright typically helps experienced workers learn about the different tools and procedures vital to the job. Classroom activities include safety training, blueprint and instruction manual interpretation, physics, and computer science. Individuals able to successfully complete apprenticeships can begin working independently and enjoy their new millwright careers.




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