Millwright Work
The word “millwright” has long been used to describe the man who was marked by everything ingenious and skillful.
For several centuries in England and Scotland the millwright was recognized as a man with a knowledge of carpentry, blacksmithing and lathe work in addition to the fitter and erector.
He was the recognized representative of mechanical arts and was looked upon as the authority in all applications of winds and water, under whatever conditions they were to be used, as a motive power for the purpose of manufacture. In other words, as the above definition would indicate, he was the area engineer, a kind of jack of all trades who was equally comfortable at the lathe, the anvil or the carpenter’s bench. Thus, the millwright of the last several centuries was an itinerant engineer and mechanic of high reputation and recognized abilities.
He could handle the axe, the hammer and the plane with equal skill and precision. He could turn, bore or forge with the ease and ability of one brought up in those trades. He could set and cut in the furrows of a millstone with an accuracy equal to or superior to that of the miller himself. In most instances, the millwright was a fair arithmetician, knew something of geometry, leveling and measurements, and often possessed a very competent knowledge of practical mathematics.
He could calculate the velocities, strength and power of machines; could draw in plans, construct buildings, conduits or watercources, in all the forms and under all the conditions required in his professional practice.
He could build bridges, cut canals and perform a variety of work now done by civil engineers. In the early days of North America millwrights designed and constructed the mills where flour and grist were ground by water power. Water was directed over hand-constructed wooden mill wheels to turn big wooden gears and generate power.
Millwrights executed every type of engineering operation in the construction of these mills. The introduction of the steam engine, and the rapidity with which it created new trades, proved a heavy blow to the distinctive position of the millwrights, by bringing into the field a new class of competitors in the form of turners, fitters, machine makers, and mechanical engineers. Although there was an extension of the demand for millwork, it nevertheless lowered the profession of the millwright, and leveled it to a great degree with that of the ordinary mechanic.
It was originally the custom for the millwrights to have meetings for themselves in every shop. These meetings usually included long discussions of practical science and the principles of construction which more often than not ended in a quarrel. One benefit of these meetings was the imparting of knowledge, as young aspirants would frequently become excited by the illustrations and chalk diagrams by which each side supported their arguments.
So, Millwrights install, repair, replace, and dismantle the machinery and heavy equipment used in many industries.
The wide range of facilities and the development of new technology require millwrights to continually update their skills from blueprint reading and pouring concrete to diagnosing and solving mechanical problems.
The millwright’s responsibilities begin when machinery arrives at the job site.
New equipment must be unloaded, inspected, and moved into position.
To lift and move light machinery, millwrights use rigging and hoisting devices, such as pulleys and cables.
With heavier equipment, they may require the assistance of hydraulic lift-truck or crane operators to position the machinery.
Because millwrights often decide which device to use for moving machinery, they must know the load-bearing properties of rope, cables, hoists, and cranes.
Millwrights consult with production managers and others to determine the optimal placement of machines in a plant. When this placement requires building a new foundation, millwrights either prepare the foundation themselves or supervise its
construction.
As a result, they must know how to read blueprints and work with a variety of building materials. To assemble machinery, millwrights fit bearings, align gears and wheels, attach motors, and connect belts, according to the manufacturer’s blueprints and drawings.
Precision leveling and alignment are important in the assembly process, so millwrights measure angles, material thickness, and small distances with tools such as squares, calipers, and micrometers. When a high level of precision is required, devices such as
lasers and ultrasonic measuring tools may be used.
Millwrights also work with hand and power tools, such as cutting torches, welding machines, and soldering guns, and with metalworking equipment, including lathes and grinding machines.
In addition to installing and dismantling machinery, many millwrights work with mechanics and maintenance workers to repair and maintain equipment. This includes preventive maintenance, such as fixing or replacing worn parts.
Increasingly sophisticated automation means more complicated machines for millwrights to install and maintain.
For example, millwrights may install and maintain numerical control equipment or computer-controlled machine tools that fabricate manufacturing parts.
This machinery requires special care and knowledge, so millwrights often work closely with computer or electronics experts, electricians, engineers, and manufacturers
representatives to install it.
This several hundred year old evolving trade coined the phrase “Jack of all trades”.
They are often unsung hero’s in this worlds vast industrial complex around the world, and have a significant mortality rate because of the many ever-present dangers inherent in the trade.
Modern companies have reduced injuries and death significantly with safety programs and strict adherence to State and Federal regulations.
They like to call themselves–Gods chosen few, a nobel enigmatic creature with remarkable talents and tenacity that rivals the pyramid builders.
