Industrial maintenance involves repairing and maintaining equipment in an industrial setting. It requires general, mechanical, electrical, welding, and preventative maintenance knowledge. Technicians must be multi-skilled problem solvers with an understanding of tools, blueprints, safety, and machinery. They can be on-site employees or privately hired. Preventative maintenance is essential to ensure safety and protect investments.
Industrial maintenance usually refers to the repair and maintenance of the different types of equipment and machines used in an industrial setting. The basics can be divided into the following five categories: general knowledge, mechanical knowledge, electrical knowledge, welding knowledge, and preventative maintenance. Based on this wide variety of areas of expertise, maintenance technicians are usually multi-skilled individuals, proficient in many tasks. Industrial maintenance also involves a high degree of problem solving skills. Identifying the problem along with the best and safest means of resolving the difficulty are usually integral parts of the maintenance process.
General knowledge usually required in industrial maintenance is an understanding of tools, blueprint reading, and safety. The correct tools and an understanding of how to use them can be crucial in solving potential machinery problems. Reading the blueprint allows the technician to understand how a particular machine works. Safety is also a key aspect of maintenance, as most industrial machines can be very dangerous. It is important for the technician to maintain his own safety, as well as that of the workers using the machinery.
Mechanical knowledge of how machines work can include a familiarity with concepts such as mechanical power transmission, fluid power, piping systems, pumps, and compressors. Since any number of mechanical parts can make up a piece of machinery, maintenance typically requires knowledge of how machines work in general. Familiarity with wiring, transformers and basic industrial electronics allows for the repair of machines with power problems. Knowledge of welding techniques, such as arc welding and gas welding, may also be required.
Industrial Maintenance Technicians can be either on-site employees or can be privately hired if maintenance is required. Many equipment manufacturers offer maintenance plans for their products and will send service engineers periodically. These technicians are experts on the machinery these companies produce and know how to troubleshoot any problems.
The field is not only about repairing already existing malfunctions. Preventive maintenance is typically an important part of the field. Since modern industrial machinery is expensive, it is usually important for companies to ensure that their investments are maintained. Preventive maintenance can also help ensure that machinery is safe, which is good for workers and users of the equipment.
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