Industrial Maintenance Bootcamp by Brian Beckman
May 17 – 20th Crest Foods was able to enroll four of our Maintenance Mechanics into the Sauk Valley Community College Industrial Maintnance Boot Camp. We sent mechanics from all 3 shifts to learn from this immer- sion experience. The Course covered multiple topics and disciplines throughout the four day course. The topics included Mechanical Systems, Fundamentals of Electronics, Fluid Power, Industrial Electronics, Motor Controls, PLC’s, Arc Welding, and Mig welding.
After wiring high voltage panels, there was a lecture portion of the class where mechanics learned how to use a multi meter to test voltage, continu- ity, and amperage. Also the mechanics learned about Ohms law, power cal- culation, diodes, transistors, and how to work on electrical components in a safe manner. In the photo below, Chris and Regina are working through the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) training module. The tasks they were assigned to complete included running relays to ensure that all stop/ start buttons were working properly. Also they tested with a meter to ensure that everything is working properly or to diagnose a faulty relay or connection. Prior to this in the classroom portion all mechanics learned about how computers interact with relays. During this they also learned the basics of the binary coding as well as ladder logic in an effort to better understand how com- ponents interact with each other. This helps with understanding how sensors, eyes, and flags interact with each other. In the fluid power (hydraulics and pneumatics) portion of the course the mechanics learned about the components of a hydraulic or pneumatic system. This includes the power units, conductors, control valves, and fluid mainte- nance groups. During the Mechanical Systems course the mechanics learned some very valuable skills that are ap- plicable to their everyday duties. Among those skills includes installing a V-belt and chain drive system. Also they learned how to adjust and measure for proper belt tension and chain sag. The last day of the class was an entire day of welding. The students had a brief classroom portion to instruct on the different kinds of welding such as Mig, Tig, and Stick. From there, they completed a welding lab using different metals and methods. Regina Bonnell, Cody Elliott, Jon Larson & Chris Bryant
(left) Chris and Regina working through PLC training. (middle) Jon Larson works on wiring a high voltage panel, much like we would have on a Bartelt or Hayssen. (right) Cody tests the tension of a V-belt.
4 Crest Ink April, May & June 2021
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