A Day in the Life of an Apprentice - Automation technician

RockATOP NC

7 Oct 202001:46

Summary

TLDRLevi 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.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 Automation Technician's Role and Projects

Levi Simons, an automation technician at Pine Hall Brick, introduces himself and outlines his role in the third year of the apprenticeship program. His job involves implementing automated processes into production, maintaining and repairing automated equipment, and performing tasks such as troubleshooting, electrical work, programming, and metalworking. Levi highlights his involvement in project planning, CAD drawing creation, and applying skills learned from college, such as CAD and blueprint reading. He also discusses his current project of wiring a robot for training and research, with the goal of determining its applicability in various company facilities. Continuous improvement is a key aspect of his work, as he contributes to automating a slurry roller using pneumatics for remote valve control. Levi emphasizes the importance of his job in enhancing company efficiency and minimizing downtime through advanced troubleshooting techniques. The variety of tasks and the challenge of mastering them are noted, along with the job satisfaction derived from completing projects and witnessing their successful operation.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Automation Technician

An automation technician is a professional who specializes in the operation, maintenance, and repair of automated equipment and processes within a production environment. In the video, Levi Simons, the automation technician at Pine Hall Brick, discusses his role in implementing automated processes, which is central to the theme of improving production efficiency through technology.

💡Apprenticeship Program

An apprenticeship program is a structured training system where individuals learn a trade or occupation through a combination of on-the-job experience and classroom instruction. Levi mentions that he is in his third year of the apprenticeship program, emphasizing the importance of practical experience in mastering the skills required for his role.

💡CAD Drawings

CAD, which stands for Computer-Aided Design, involves using computer software to create precise technical drawings and designs. In the script, Levi talks about creating CAD drawings as part of his job, which is essential for planning projects and designing equipment, showcasing the integration of technology in the design process.

💡Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting is the process of identifying and resolving issues within a system or process. Levi's role involves troubleshooting automated equipment, which is a critical skill for maintaining the smooth operation of production processes and ensuring minimal downtime.

💡Electrical Work

Electrical work encompasses tasks related to the installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical systems. The video highlights Levi's involvement in electrical work, particularly in the context of wiring a robot, which is a key aspect of his role in automating processes.

💡Programming

Programming refers to the process of writing code to control the functions of a machine or system. Levi mentions programming as part of his responsibilities, specifically in the context of training and research with a robot, which demonstrates the application of software knowledge in automation.

💡Continuous Improvements

Continuous improvements refer to the ongoing efforts to enhance processes, products, or services. Levi's main responsibility includes contributing to continuous improvements within the company, such as automating a slurry roller, which directly ties to the theme of the video about increasing efficiency.

💡Pneumatics

Pneumatics is the use of pressurized air to transmit force or motion in mechanical systems. In the script, Levi explains that they are using pneumatics to control valves remotely in the automation of a slurry roller, illustrating the practical application of this technology in his work.

💡Efficiency

Efficiency is the measure of how well a system performs relative to the energy or resources it consumes. The video's theme revolves around improving efficiency through automation, as Levi's job is to help increase the company's operational efficiency by implementing and maintaining automated systems.

💡Breakdowns

A breakdown refers to the failure of a machine or system to function properly. Levi mentions keeping breakdowns as short as possible by using advanced troubleshooting techniques, which is crucial for minimizing production losses and maintaining efficiency.

💡Satisfaction

Satisfaction in this context refers to the fulfillment and pleasure derived from completing a task or project successfully. Levi expresses his enjoyment in seeing a project work autonomously after completion, which highlights the personal gratification aspect of his job.

Highlights

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

The role of an automation technician involves implementing automated processes into production and maintaining automated equipment.

Troubleshooting, electrical work, programming, and metalworking are part of Levi's responsibilities.

Levi has contributed to project planning and creating CAD drawings, utilizing his college education.

He has applied skills learned in CAD classes and blueprint reading to his work.

Levi is involved in electrical work and programming, including wiring a robot for training and research.

The robot project aims to determine the feasibility of using robots in various applications within the company.

Levi's main responsibility is to assist with continuous improvements in the company's processes.

He is currently working on automating a slurry roller that applies different colors to bricks.

Pneumatics are being used to remotely control valves for the slurry roller automation.

Levi's job is crucial for improving company efficiency and minimizing downtime.

Advanced troubleshooting techniques are essential to Levi's role in maintaining production.

The job's challenge lies in the variety of tasks Levi needs to perform, often different from day to day.

Levi's favorite aspect of his job is the satisfaction of completing a project and seeing it operate autonomously.

Levi's work contributes to the company's innovation and operational excellence.