Millwrights are men and women who design, install, and maintain heavy machinery and equipment that is used in a variety of settings. Millwrights work on large drills, power generators, construction equipment, and a variety of other machines, putting their knowledge of design, physics, and electricity to use. Machine shops, heavy equipment manufacturers, construction companies, and municipal government organizations employ the majority of millwrights.
In a machine shop, a millwright is responsible for putting machines and equipment together. He or she collaborates with machinists and mechanical engineers to ensure that machines are built to exacting standards. To perform the job, professionals must understand the principles of electricity, physics, and computer science, as many modern machines rely on computers and automated parts. Millwrights frequently test equipment before shipping it away to ensure that it is functional and safe. Any issues they find are reported to supervisors, who then pass the information on to engineers, who can analyze design flaws and recommend the best course of action.
Many millwright jobs are available with firms that specialize in installing new machinery on construction sites or in manufacturing plants. Professionals usually visit a plant or a potential construction site to determine the best location for assembling a new machine and what tools will be required to complete the job. A team of builders uses hoists, cranes, and hydraulic lifts to lay a foundation, unload parts and equipment, and move heavy pieces into place under the supervision of a lead millwright. They adhere to blueprints to ensure that a machine is correctly assembled and installed, and they usually run several test runs before declaring a job complete.
A skilled and experienced millwright may specialize in maintaining and repairing existing machinery. He or she may visit a machinist factory or manufacturing plant on a regular basis to perform preventative maintenance on machines, such as lubricating gears and removing excess dirt and grease. When a machine breaks down, the millwright inspects it thoroughly, diagnoses the problem, makes the necessary repairs, and replaces any broken parts.
Individuals must have a high school diploma and complete several years of on-the-job training as apprentices in order to obtain most millwright jobs. The majority of apprenticeships last four to five years and include both practical training and some classroom studies. A new millwright typically assists experienced workers in learning about the various tools and procedures necessary for the job while in training. Safety training, blueprint and instruction manual interpretation, physics, and computer science are among the topics covered in the classroom. Individuals who complete their apprenticeships successfully can start working independently and enjoy their new millwright careers.