The management and operation of large production machines are the responsibility of a maintenance mechanic. These units are large and complex and are found in factories. A maintenance mechanic is also referred to as a journeyman mechanic or a production mechanic. These terms distinguish this type of mechanic from those who work on automobiles or small engines.
A maintenance mechanic’s main responsibilities include scheduled maintenance, emergency repairs, and system setup. Maintenance mechanics must complete a post-secondary training program, which can be found at a variety of community and career colleges. High school credits in English, math, and technology are required for admission. Before admitting students, many schools require them to pass a mechanical aptitude test.
A production machine’s scheduled maintenance takes place during off-peak hours. The mechanic is in charge of coordinating maintenance with the line manager or production scheduler. It is the mechanic’s responsibility to notice and notify the line manager if scheduled maintenance needs to be accelerated.
The mechanic must clean the machine of all product and remove, clean, lubricate, and reinstall all moving parts once it is available. Any broken, damaged, or worn-out parts must be replaced. Additional non-moving part inspections should also be completed.
The mechanic is also in charge of emergency repairs in addition to routine maintenance. Any downtime in a manufacturing environment costs the company money. The mechanic’s job is to reduce downtime and get the machine back up and running as soon as possible.
The maintenance mechanic meets with the product manager or plant engineer when a new product is being added. They talk about the changes that will be needed to make the new item. The mechanic is in charge of making the necessary adjustments and conducting test runs. The new set-up can only be added to the production schedule once the product manager approves the quality.
The plant mechanic or maintenance manager is usually the mechanic’s boss. The number of people employed in this position is determined the factory’s size and type of operation. Three full-time maintenance mechanics are typically assigned to a 24-hour operation to ensure coverage and shift overlap. Maintenance mechanics who report the most job satisfaction are mechanically inclined, enjoy problem solving, and are good team players who can also work independently. Because everything the mechanic does has an impact on other areas of the operation, good communication skills are just as important as mechanical skills in this job.