Archive for June 2016

Ben's Shift Training

Monday, June 20, 2016 0 Comments A+ a-


 
 

 The final part of our apprenticeship training is to spend 6 months working on the 4-shift pattern within the department, I have recently completed this part and am now back working on day shift.
 
The 4-shift pattern includes 12 hour day and night shifts as well as over weekends.
 
This part of our training allows you to learn a lot about what happens during breakdowns throughout the plant and work with a variety of different people. I found it really interesting and enjoyable as I learnt a lot from the breakdowns and training I received.
 
The type of breakdowns I attended during each shift varied. Some were to fault find on different production lines throughout the factory, ensuring that the problem was found and fixed within a reasonable time scale to get the line back up and running as soon as possible. Whilst fault finding you would also look through the program of a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) to help identify the issue. 
 
Other jobs included tasks which had been given out by the Supervisor at the start of the shift which we would work on if and when we were not called out for any issues throughout production. These included wiring of new motors, changing components in a panel or on the line during maintenance days and training on various types of drives. 
 
I really liked the shift pattern, I worked 2 shifts one week either days or nights and then the next week work 5 shifts either days or nights. Before I started my shift work I was worried about the night shift and I was not sure how I would manage them, but it was fine you soon get used to them.
 
Overall, I found the experience really good and the shift electricians have helped me a lot with my training. Having the shift training at the end of the apprenticeship is really beneficial because I feel this opportunity has really built on the other knowledge I have developed. 
 
 
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Tom's Process Training Blog

Friday, June 10, 2016 0 Comments A+ a-


 
 

During our apprenticeship, in year three, we complete process training. This involves spending time in the four main departments within the factory and getting an understanding of how they work and what their contribution is to the final product.

I have just finished my placement within the Lamination department. Whilst in each department we are asked to research a specific technical project and also a production project which are part of the department’s process. Whilst in Lamination I was asked to study the hydraulics function and sequence of the short cycle press itself.

This included analysing the hydraulic function and sequence of the lifting and lowering cylinders, as well as the high pressure cylinders and the pre-fill system. To help my understanding I studied timing diagrams and hydraulic schematic drawings, which gave me an insight into the order of operations taking place with regards to the hydraulics, during one cycle of the press.

 I found that the cycle of the press consists of:

•             Lowering the press platen

•             High pressure exerted onto the board

•             High pressure release

•             Pre-fill opening

•             Lifting of the platen

I studied this in great detail by actually watching the function of the press cycle and witnessing the energising of each valve in sequence whilst following the hydraulic drawings and the timing diagrams. It also helped a lot discussing the process with various members of our maintenance staff, to gain their knowledge/experience and support my understanding and findings. 

At the end of each placement we present our findings, in the form of two PowerPoint presentations, to the Managers of each section, alongside the Engineering Manager, the Mechanical and Electrical Engineers and our onsite Apprentice trainers.

Therefore with all the knowledge that I had gained over the first three weeks, from previously having little understanding or experience of the department I was able to successfully compile my two 20 minute presentations which made reference to valves and solenoids within the system. These presentations along with the addition of some small animations, allowed for me to thoroughly describe the function of the hydraulics within the press to the managers, and therefore confirm the knowledge that I had gained during that section of my process training.
 
I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog, next week we will focus on the work that our 4th year apprentices have been doing whilst on shift training.
 
 
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