Wot they said.

With any process or system it's a lot easier to fault and fix if you've seen it working correctly in the first place especially when sequence starts are involved or all the operators have p&ssed of to the canteen.
 
Diplomacy helps if there’s a fault in the future. You cover for the operator, he’ll be helpful after that.
Learning to cut through operator BS is a learnt skill, they’ll try to cover their arse by leading you astray. You develop a 2nd sense, are you getting the truth or not. The usual “I didn’t touch anything, it did it on its own” always raises a wry smile, either that or I’d go wappy at them.

Covering for an operators cock up has landed me in the office a few times. “We know you’re telling lies, we can’t prove it!” The process lads looked after me because I looked after them.

An important thing, learn the process. That way you’ll know what should be happening and you’ll not be trying to fathom it out when it has genuinely gone belly up.

assegayer, it takes time to get in to the swing of industrial work. If you get half a chance, get in there. It’ll be hard work at first but once you’re up and running, you’ll not regret the decision.

That's very true. Sometimes the operator has that much experience of one particular machine they can practically pinpoint which sensor/switch has failed. If they are good to me i would give them some "lost time" on a day where they are struggling to meet there target. However sometimes i get the odd bollox who thinks it is smart to hit an e-stop and cover it up with a coat etc. These are the sort of boys i would happily let fall in the brown stuff in their time of need.
 
Diplomacy helps if there’s a fault in the future. You cover for the operator, he’ll be helpful after that.
Learning to cut through operator BS is a learnt skill, they’ll try to cover their arse by leading you astray. You develop a 2nd sense, are you getting the truth or not. The usual “I didn’t touch anything, it did it on its own” always raises a wry smile, either that or I’d go wappy at them.

Covering for an operators cock up has landed me in the office a few times. “We know you’re telling lies, we can’t prove it!” The process lads looked after me because I looked after them.

An important thing, learn the process. That way you’ll know what should be happening and you’ll not be trying to fathom it out when it has genuinely gone belly up.

assegayer, it takes time to get in to the swing of industrial work. If you get half a chance, get in there. It’ll be hard work at first but once you’re up and running, you’ll not regret the decision.


Not a truer word said ... the amount of stupidity I have hidden is beyond belief and you gain respect and an easier time in future issues...

I reckon a good 10yrs under someones wing before your anywhere near competent to tackle free lance breakdown on your tod..less if your routine to the same machines.
 
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I wouldn’t even contemplate going in to many plants as a freelance. Too many dangers both to life and for collateral damage.
 
I wouldn’t even contemplate going in to many plants as a freelance. Too many dangers both to life and for collateral damage.


I stick to what I know though Tony been working on the same machines for 20 odd years.

Wire drawing machines.
Punching machines
Stone cutting gear etc
Twisting wire machines
Lathes of most natures, rollers etc all similar in operation just different jobs.
Carding lines

I've done many differing systems and built controls for them but not without fully understanding them from engineers who specialise in them, Ill work as part of a team if its new to me... this tends to be the case with carding lines where I might do a control kit for say the cutter machine only and it only linked to the process line by global E-stops as they are self automated and work independent of the main card lines.

I too keep off larger plant lines as you say if you don't fully understand the ins and outs your dicing with yours or others lives, most of the stuff I deal with is old hat and may seem complex but not really and just getting like for like replacements or as near as damn it, but knowing what I know and my experience I would never consider anyone doing it freelance with less than 10 to 15 yrs under their belt (I set up with 20yrs behind me), If they specialise in one machine then possible less yrs needed but its an interesting job and beats house bashing.
 
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I'm the sole electrical engineer on our chemical/industrial site but only spend about 10% working, the other 90% is spent browsing forums like this.:yawn::yawn::yawn:
 
I too keep off larger plant lines as you say if you don't fully understand the ins and outs your dicing with yours or others lives, most of the stuff I deal with is old hat and may seem complex but not really and just getting like for like replacements or as near as damn it, but knowing what I know and my experience I would never consider anyone doing it freelance with less than 10 to 15 yrs under their belt (I set up with 20yrs behind me), If they specialise in one machine then possible less yrs needed but its an interesting job and beats house bashing.

That's nice to hear. I have 7 years experience and i know i'm far from the finished article. It's nice to hear that others have as equally long learning curve than me. At times i think i should know it all but don't.
 
That's nice to hear. I have 7 years experience and i know i'm far from the finished article. It's nice to hear that others have as equally long learning curve than me. At times i think i should know it all but don't.

In this sector you can't ever know it all, technology creeps forward faster than you can learn so your always chasing your tail... best to choose a section of the industry that has a lot of users and become focused on it.
 
Unless you’re going to use double sided sticky tape, yes.

Only about 40% of your time is electrical work. You have a plant to keep running, you do whatever is needed otherwise someone will be jumping up and down on you.

Cheers Tony I've now got an empty coffee cup and a wet laptop!!
 
Grind all their spanners out to the next size up, confuse them for months! :-)

...Now THAT struck a chord...during my formative study years,i had an incident,that should serve as a warning to all who disrespect a mans' kit...

...So i'm away from home,living and learning,with a vast array of our countries finest,and a fellow student thought removing,and re-riveting the hook,on my tape measure,was a good jape...

Everything was 4mm bigger for while....anywho...this character possessed a lovely 1600 2 door Avenger (yep,i know...) and he loved it...target acquired...

I linked his distributor feed via a resistor,to his brake light switch....every time the pedal was pressed...engine off.

He went through every possible loose wire/fuel issue,my colleagues urged me towards admission,and i "fixed" it for him...the cost?

One,new shiny Stanley 3 meter :bobby:
 

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