Trade Description
Millwright work is mostly industrial and involves the installation, repair, dismantle and replacement of machinery as well as heavy equipment used in almost every industry. These responsibilities require a wide range of skills ranging from blueprint reading to diagnosing and solving mechanical problems. A few examples of plants that you will find millwrights working in are: Power Plants, chemical Plants, Hydro-Electric Plants, Aluminum Plants, Paper Mills, Wood Processing Plants, Automobile Assembly Plants, Plastic Plants, all types of production facilities, such as Steel Mills, Sewage Plants, Locks and dams and Water Treatment Facilities. Millwrights are highly trained (Most serve a 4 - 5 year apprenticeship) in the use of highly precise technical equipment and are experienced in assembly and maintenance of a wide variety of equipment.
The millwrights responsibility will begin when machinery arrives at the job site. this machinery must be unloaded, inspected and then moved into position. To lift and move light machinery millwrights may use rigging and hoisting devices such as jacks, chain falls and come-a-longs. In other cases, they may require the use of fork lift trucks or hydraulic cranes to position the machinery. Millwrights need to know the load bearing properties of these jacks, ropes, cables and hoists.
New machinery will sometimes require a new foundation. Millwrights either personally prepare the foundation or supervise it's construction. The need to know how to read blueprints and work with building materials such as concrete, wood and steel is necessary.
Most machinery arrives at the jobsite requiring assembly. To assemble this machinery, the millwright will fit bearings and gears, attach sprockets and motors and connect chains, all according to the manufacturer's blueprints and drawings. Precision leveling and alignment are important in the assembly process, millwrights must have good mathematical skills so that they can measure angles, material thickness and small distances, sometimes within thousandths of an inch. The millwright uses tools such as steel rules, squares, calipers, and micrometers to make these precise measurements. High levels of precision leveling and alignment may require lasers or an optical instrument. Millwrights use hand tools such as wrenches, hammers, punches and chisels, power tools, and welding machines. The use of lathes or grinders may also be used to modify parts to specification.
The millwright must have a good mathematical, mechanical and technical education in order to be of use in his vocation.
If you have questions about Millwright Local # 1755 call (304) - 422 - 1593 or the Millwright Local # 1755 Training Program please feel free to call (304) - 422 - 7637