A Day in the Life of an Apprentice - Automation technician

Summary

Levi Simons, an automation technician at Pine Hall Brick, shares insights into his role in the apprenticeship program. His responsibilities include implementing and maintaining automated processes, troubleshooting, and contributing to project planning through CAD drawings. Simons applies skills from college in electrical work, programming, and metalworking. He is currently involved in a project to automate a slurry roller using pneumatics, aiming to enhance efficiency and minimize breakdowns. The job's variety and the satisfaction of seeing projects come to life are highlighted as key motivators.

Takeaways

• 👨‍💻 Levi Simons is an automation technician at Pine Hall Brick, currently in his third year of the apprenticeship program.
• 🏭 His role involves implementing automated processes into production, maintaining, and repairing automated equipment.
• 🛠️ Levi's responsibilities include troubleshooting, electrical work, programming, and metalworking.
• 📈 He has been involved in project planning and creating CAD drawings, utilizing skills from his college education.
• 🤖 Levi is working on wiring a robot for training and research, aiming to explore its applications across the company's facilities.
• 🔧 His job is crucial for enhancing company efficiency and minimizing downtime through advanced troubleshooting skills.
• 🔄 He is currently aiding in automating a slurry roller that applies different colors to bricks, using pneumatics for remote valve control.
• 🔧 Levi enjoys the variety in his tasks, often working on different projects from day to day.
• 🎉 His greatest satisfaction comes from completing projects and seeing them operate successfully on their own.
• 🤖 The role of an automation technician is multifaceted, requiring a wide range of skills and adaptability.

Q & A

Who is Levi Simons and what is his role at Pine Hall Brick?

Levi Simons is an automation technician at Pine Hall Brick, and he is currently in his third year of the apprenticeship program.

What is the primary job of an automation technician?

The primary job of an automation technician is to help implement automated processes into the production process, maintain and repair automated equipment, which includes troubleshooting, electrical work, programming, and metalworking.

What specific tasks has Levi helped with in his role?

Levi has helped with planning projects, creating CAD drawings, electrical work, programming, and is currently working on wiring a robot for training and research.

How does Levi apply the skills he learned from college at work?

Levi applies skills such as CAD class knowledge and blueprint reading in his work, which are crucial for drawing different pieces of equipment.

What is the purpose of the robot Levi is working on wiring?

The robot Levi is wiring is intended for training and research purposes. After completion, it will be programmed to determine if robots can be used in different applications throughout the facilities.

What is one of Levi's main responsibilities in his job?

One of Levi's main responsibilities is to help with continuous improvements, such as automating a slurry roller that applies different colors to bricks using pneumatics.

Why is Levi's job important for the company?

Levi's job is important because it helps improve the efficiency of the company and minimizes breakdowns by employing advanced troubleshooting techniques.

What is the main challenge Levi faces in his job?

The main challenge Levi faces is the variety of different tasks he needs to perform, often working on different tasks each day.

What does Levi enjoy most about his job?

Levi enjoys the satisfaction of completing a project and seeing it work autonomously, knowing that he can accomplish very cool things.

How does Levi's work contribute to the company's production process?

Levi's work contributes by implementing automated processes, which enhances production efficiency, and by maintaining and repairing automated equipment, ensuring smooth operations.

What is the significance of CAD drawings in Levi's work?

CAD drawings are significant in Levi's work as they are used for planning projects and creating detailed designs of equipment, which is essential for the implementation of automated processes.